Portland Code Chapter 5, Article VI (Sec. 5-506 to 5-509), effective October 18, 2017, prohibits the display of wild and exotic animals in traveling animal acts (circuses, fairs, exhibitions). Personal exotic-pet ownership is governed by Maine state wildlife in captivity rules administered by Maine DIFW.
Portland City Code Chapter 5, Article VI (Prohibition on Display of Wild and Exotic Animals), enacted by Order 30-17/18 and effective October 18, 2017, makes it a violation 'for any person, business, entity, corporation, limited liability company or other similar organization to allow for the participation of a wild and/or exotic animal in a traveling animal act in the City of Portland.' Sec. 5-506 defines wild/exotic animal by scientific classification, including: Artiodactyla (hippos, giraffes, camels, llamas — but NOT cattle, swine, sheep, goats); Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles); Elephantidae (elephants); Felidae (tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, cougars and hybrids — but NOT domestic cats); Marsupialia (kangaroos); non-human primates (apes, monkeys, lemurs); Perissodactyla (rhinos, tapirs, zebras); Pinnipedia (seals, sea lions, walruses); Ursidae (bears); and Elasmobranchii (nurse sharks, lemon sharks). Horses are expressly excluded. 'Display' includes any exhibition, fair, act, circus, ride, or similar undertaking where wild/exotic animals perform tricks, give rides, or participate as accompaniment. Portland's ordinance targets commercial traveling acts and does not separately ban private exotic-pet ownership — but Maine state law (12 MRS §12152 and related rules of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) regulates wildlife in captivity statewide and requires DIFW permits for most native and many non-native species. Portland's ordinance is in addition to those state rules.
Sec. 5-507(b) sets a penalty of $500.00 per offense, with each wild/exotic animal exhibited and each day of exhibition constituting a separate offense. Sec. 5-507(c) allows enforcement under the city's general penalty framework in Chapter 1, Sec. 1-15. The City Manager (or designee) is the enforcement Director under Sec. 5-508.
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