St. Clair County flatly prohibits keeping big cats, bears, wolves, coyotes, hyenas and poisonous reptiles outside licensed facilities such as zoos, circuses or research institutions. Domesticating such an animal is no defense.
St. Clair County Animal Services Code 3-5-1 bars any person, business or corporation from keeping listed dangerous wild animals - 'lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena or coyote, bear, wolf, or any poisonous reptile' - anywhere except a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital or animal refuge. Section 3-5-2 makes clear that attempting to domesticate such an animal 'is no defense.' Illinois also restricts dangerous animals and primates statewide under the Dangerous Animals Act (720 ILCS 585) and Herptiles-Herps Act. In RR/SR zoning districts, keeping any species 'normally considered wild' as an accessory pet is likewise disallowed.
A violation is a petty offense: fined not less than $75 for a first or second offense, and up to $750 for a third or subsequent offense (3-5-3).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
St. Clair County, IL
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St. Clair County, IL
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St. Clair County, IL
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St. Clair County, IL
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St. Clair County, IL
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St. Clair County, IL
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See how O'Fallon's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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