Norman, OK Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

NCC 4-301(d) makes it unlawful to keep or maintain any exotic wildlife species defined in the chapter, native wildlife, or any species venomous to humans regardless of how the venom is delivered, whether by bite, sting, or touch. The exotic wildlife definition in NCC 4-101 sweeps broadly: birds of prey and vultures not held under a federal or state permit, ratites like ostriches and emus, and large mammal groups including big cats, wild canids, mustelids, raccoons and coatimundi, bears, bats, sloths and armadillos, kangaroos and opossums, elephants, primates, and crocodilians, plus any hybrid of those animals.

Enforcement is immediate: if someone is found in possession of a prohibited animal, an Animal Services Officer can seize and impound it right away, and the same release-and-disposition process that applies to impounded animals generally under NCC 4-205(b) governs what happens next. A prohibited animal only goes back to its owner if the owner can show a legal place to keep it going forward. S. Fish and Wildlife Service or Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation license. Even those exempted keepers must secure the animal properly during transport, keep it from unsafe contact with the public, and produce proof of required licensing and liability insurance on demand from any City officer.