Oklahoma City, OK Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Exotic Wildlife Abatement Ordinance, Ch. 35
- Banned animals
- Big cats, bears, wolves, venomous reptiles, primates
- Penalty
- Class 'A' offense, up to $200/day
- Narrow exemption
- One big cat on 5+ acres, with permits
- Enforcement
- Animal Welfare Division; civil nuisance abatement in court
Summary
Oklahoma City outright bans keeping big cats, bears, wolves, venomous reptiles, primates, and crocodilians as pets, declaring possession a public nuisance per se under the city's Exotic Wildlife Abatement Ordinance.
(a)The keeping or harboring of exotic wildlife within the corporate limits of the City is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance per se.(b)The use of any land within the corporate limits of the City to keep or harbor exotic wildlife is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance per se.(c)The keeping or harboring of exotic wildlife within the corporate limits of the City is hereby prohibited.(d)The use of any land within the corporate limits of the City to keep or harbor exotic wildlife is hereby prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The Exotic Wildlife Abatement Ordinance (Ch. 35, Art. VIII) prohibits keeping or harboring lions, tigers, bears, wolves, venomous snakes, Gila monsters, anacondas, crocodilians, and non-human primates anywhere in the city; violations are a Class 'A' offense. A narrow exception lets someone keep one listed big cat on at least five acres, with neighbor consent, state/federal permits, a microchip, and City registration. Animals kept before the ordinance took effect had to be registered by February 15, 2000 and removed by June 1, 2000, or the owner faces fines up to $200 per day plus possible District Court nuisance abatement.
Violations & Fines
Keeping exotic wildlife is a Class 'A' offense with daily fines; unregistered legacy animals faced a $200/day fine, and the City can sue in District Court to abate the nuisance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet tiger, wolf, or venomous snake in Oklahoma City?
Is there any way to legally own a big cat in OKC?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
Compare Oklahoma City to another location·View the Oklahoma animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle exotic pets.