Overland Park, KS Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 6.10.010(A), § 6.10.020
- Banned species examples
- Lions, bears, wolves, large monkeys, alligators
- Snake threshold
- Pythons/boas over 6 feet, venomous species
- Exception route
- Zoos, vets, exhibits with § 6.10.070 permit
- Removal notice
- 5 days after written notice, § 6.10.050
- Fine range
- $200 to $1,000, § 6.10.180
Summary
Municipal Code § 6.10.020 bans owning, keeping or harboring any "dangerous animal," a term § 6.10.010(A) defines by name to include lions, tigers, bears, wolves, apes, large monkeys, foxes, alligators, crocodiles and venomous snakes or pythons over six feet, unless the owner qualifies for a narrow permitted exception.
"dangerous animal" means and includes A. any mammal, amphibian, fish, reptile or fowl which is of a species which, due to size, vicious nature or other characteristics would constitute a danger to human life, physical well-being, or property, including but not limited to, lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, bears, wolves, wolf-hybrid, wolf-mix, Tundra Shepherd, apes, gorillas, monkeys of a species whose average adult weight is 20 pounds or more, foxes, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, and snakes which are venomous or otherwise present a risk of serious physical harm or death to human beings as a result of their nature or physical makeup including, but not limited to, boa constrictors, Madagascar ground boas, green and yellow anacondas, Cuban boas, Indian pythons, reticulated pythons, African rock pythons, Amethystine pythons, Boelen's pythons and all members of the Pythonidae family that exceed six feet in length. ... Except as provided in 6.10.030 and 6.10.040, no person shall own, keep, or harbor any dangerous animal in the City of Overland Park.
Full Breakdown
010(A) sweeps in "any mammal, amphibian, fish, reptile or fowl which is of a species which, due to size, vicious nature or other characteristics would constitute a danger to human life, physical well-being, or property," then lists lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, bears, wolves, wolf-hybrids, wolf-mix, Tundra Shepherds, apes, gorillas, monkeys averaging 20 pounds or more, foxes, elephants, alligators and crocodiles by name, plus venomous snakes and named python and boa species (boa constrictors, Madagascar ground boas, anacondas, Cuban boas, Indian, reticulated and African rock pythons, Amethystine and Boelen's pythons, and any Pythonidae exceeding six feet).
020 then flatly prohibits owning, keeping or harboring any such animal in the city. 040 exempts only animals passing through the city and ADA service dogs. Even permitted large constrictor snakes cannot be openly displayed to the public outside licensed venues, must be transported in a locked container inside a sealed cloth bag, and must be caged with a locking hinged or sliding front in a room that can be shut and locked.
Violations & Fines
Owning a prohibited wild animal without qualifying for and obtaining a § 6.10.070 Dangerous Animal Permit violates § 6.10.020 and is enforced under § 6.10.180: conviction in Overland Park Municipal Court carries a fine of $200 to $1,000, up to 30 days in the county jail, and each day of continued possession is a separate offense. The Chief Animal Control Officer can also send a written removal notice under § 6.10.050 giving the owner five days to get the animal out of the city, or seize and impound it immediately if it has already caused severe injury, escaped, or cannot be safely removed. Owners who keep permit-exempt snakes on public display outside a licensed venue, or who fail to keep them in a locked, hinged-top cage, violate the mandatory conditions in § 6.10.030(F) as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a large python or venomous snake as a pet in Overland Park?
Are exotic pets like sugar gliders or small monkeys covered?
What if a zoo or pet store wants to display a banned animal?
What happens if the city finds someone illegally keeping a wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Overland Park
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How other cities in Johnson County handle exotic pets.