Oak Lawn, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Village Code § 10-3A-4(A)
- Named exotic species
- lions, tigers, primates, venomous reptiles, more
- Exemption
- licensed circuses only
- Related permit
- wild animal exhibitions need a board permit, § 10-3A-3
Summary
Oak Lawn bans keeping wild, poisonous, or dangerous animals in the village, from constrictor snakes to lions, tigers, and primates.
It shall be unlawful to keep any dangerous or wild animals including, but not limited to: live swine, pigs, horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, cows, calves, sheep, lambs or goats in the village. It shall further be unlawful for any person to have...any poisonous reptile or serpent, or any other dangerous or carnivorous wild animal or reptile...baboons, chimpanzees, gorillas, bears, cheetahs, coyotes, foxes, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lions, lynxes, pumas, raccoons, tigers and wolves.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Village Code § 10-3A-4(A) makes it unlawful to keep livestock or any wild or dangerous animal in Oak Lawn, and separately bars possessing any poisonous reptile or serpent or dangerous carnivorous wild animal. The code then names the exotic species outright: primates (baboons, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, siamangs), big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, lynxes), constrictor snakes, crocodilians 12 inches or larger, bears, coyotes, foxes, hyenas, raccoons, wolves, and piranha. A licensed circus exhibition is the only exemption, and even that requires a village permit under § 10-3A-3.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 10-3A-4 is a village ordinance violation; police may seize animals kept in violation, and § 10-3A-2(C) sets a $25–$5,000 fine range for the related dangerous-animal provisions in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet snake in Oak Lawn?
Are exotic animals ever allowed in Oak Lawn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
Compare Oak Lawn to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle exotic pets.