Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Rankin County

Rankin County, MS Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Banned animals
Reptiles and any wild, untamed animal
Named examples
Monkeys, deer, wolves, bear, buffalo
Where banned
Platted residential subdivisions only
Applies to
Unincorporated county, not incorporated cities

Summary

Rankin County, Mississippi bars keeping wild animals, defined to include monkeys, deer, wolves, bear and buffalo, on any lot in a platted residential subdivision.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rankin County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Wild Animals: Reptiles and any animal which by its nature is wild and untamed including, but not limited to, monkeys, deer, wolves, bear and buffalo. ... SECTION 416 - LIVESTOCK AND WILD ANIMALS PROHIBITED IN PLATTED RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS. Livestock and wild animals shall not be kept, harbored, raised or permitted to run at large on any property in platted residential subdivisions that are zoned R-1, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-3, R-4, PUD, MHP, MHS or R-MX.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Section 416 of the county's Zoning Ordinance prohibits keeping, harboring, raising or letting wild animals run at large on any property within platted residential subdivisions zoned R-1, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-3, R-4, PUD, MHP, MHS or R-MX. The Ordinance's definitions article defines 'Wild Animals' as reptiles and any animal that is by nature wild and untamed, expressly naming monkeys, deer, wolves, bear and buffalo as examples. The same section also bars livestock in these subdivisions. The rule reaches only unincorporated Rankin County: it does not apply inside Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, Florence, Puckett or Star.

Violations & Fines

Zoning Administrator enforcement; a knowing violation of the Ordinance is a misdemeanor under Section 714, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep an exotic pet like a monkey in Rankin County?
Not on a lot inside a platted residential subdivision. The Ordinance defines wild, untamed animals, expressly naming monkeys, deer, wolves, bear and buffalo, and bans keeping them there.
Does the wild-animal ban apply county-wide?
It applies to platted residential subdivisions zoned R-1 through R-MX. Agriculturally zoned land, and property inside Brandon, Pearl or other cities, follows different rules.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rankin County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSignificant RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Rankin County rules

Compare Rankin County to another location·View the Mississippi animal ordinances overview

Get notified when Exotic Pets in Rankin County, MS changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.