Plymouth, MN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 915.29, Subd. 1
- General rule
- Wild Animals prohibited citywide
- Only exception
- Administrative permit for bona fide institutional program
- Exotic pets
- Banned if creating a nuisance or at large
- Enforcement power
- Immediate impoundment, entry onto private property
Summary
In the City of Plymouth, City Code Section 915.29 bans keeping any Wild Animal anywhere in the City unless the keeper holds an administrative permit for a bona fide institutional program under the City's zoning ordinance, and it also bars keeping exotic or non-indigenous animals that create a nuisance or are allowed to run at large.
No person shall keep or allow to be kept anyplace in the City a Wild Animal, unless with an administrative permit as part of a bona fide institutional program as allowed in Section 21170.01, Subd. 5 of the City's zoning ordinance. Any Animal Control officer or licensed peace officer shall be empowered to immediately impound any Wild Animal found within the City, and to seek whatever legal process is necessary to enter private property to carry out this directive. It is not a defense to allege that the Animal has been tamed or born and/or raised in captivity. Animals which are considered exotic or non-indigenous, although not in the definition of a wild animal as found in this ordinance and which have been found to create a nuisance as noted in this Chapter or by allowing such animal to run at-large off the owner's property cannot be kept as pets within the City.
Full Breakdown
29 of the City Code, immediately following the dangerous-dog provisions in Chapter IX. 01, Subdivision 5 of the City's zoning ordinance. It is not a defense to claim the animal was tamed or was born and raised in captivity; the prohibition applies regardless of how long the owner has kept the animal or how tame it has become. A separate sentence in the same subdivision reaches animals that are exotic or non-indigenous even if they do not meet the ordinance's own definition of a Wild Animal: such an animal cannot be kept as a pet in Plymouth if it has been found to create a nuisance under Chapter IX or if the owner lets it run at large off the owner's own property.
Plymouth Police animal control officers and licensed peace officers are empowered under Subdivision 1 to immediately impound any Wild Animal found in the City and may seek whatever legal process is necessary to enter private property to do so. 25, Subdivisions 2 and 5, and the Director of Public Safety can order the animal destroyed, transferred to a zoo, or otherwise disposed of after that process.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a Wild Animal without the administrative permit required by Section 915.29, or keeping an exotic or non-indigenous animal that creates a nuisance or runs at large, allows Plymouth Police animal control officers to immediately impound the animal and enter private property to do so. After the Section 915.25 notice-and-hearing process, the Director of Public Safety can order destruction, zoo transfer, or owner reimbursement of impoundment costs; violating the City Code is also a misdemeanor under Section 2000.01.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic animal as a pet in Plymouth?
Does it matter if my wild animal is tame or was born in captivity?
How does the City decide whether an animal is 'Wild'?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plymouth
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle exotic pets.