Kane County, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Big cats, bears, wolves, foxes, crocodilians
- Also barred
- Poisonous/life-threatening reptiles
- Permit holders only
- Zoos, labs, vets, circuses
- Insurance
- $1,000,000 public liability
- Permit fee
- $100 (+$50 per re-inspection)
Summary
Kane County bars keeping lions, tigers, bears, wolves, coyotes, wolf/coyote hybrids, foxes, crocodilians, and poisonous or life-threatening reptiles, except at approved zoos, circuses, research labs, or veterinary hospitals holding state, USDA, and county permits.
Possession of a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, any hybrid thereof... bear, hyena, wolf, coyote, wolf-dog or coyote-dog hybrid, fox or any member of the vulpes family, any member of the crocodilian family, poisonous reptile, or any other life-threatening reptile shall be prohibited to be kept except at a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory or veterinary hospital in an escape-proof enclosure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Animal Control Ordinance § 5-16 ("Prohibited Animals") lists big cats (lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, cougar, lynx, bobcat and hybrids), bears, hyenas, wolves, coyotes, wolf-dog/coyote-dog hybrids, foxes and other Vulpes, crocodilians, and poisonous or life-threatening reptiles as prohibited unless kept at a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific/educational institution, research lab, or veterinary hospital in an escape-proof enclosure. Such keepers must hold Illinois, USDA, and Kane County permits, pass inspection by the Animal Control Director before importing the animal, and carry at least $1,000,000 public-liability insurance. The permit fee is $100 (plus $50 per re-inspection); decisions issue within 14 days.
Violations & Fines
Ordinance violation; fine not less than $75 nor more than $500 (§ 49), each day a separate offense; unpermitted animals subject to seizure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a wolf-dog hybrid in Kane County?
Are venomous snakes allowed as pets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kane County
Compare Kane County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.