Richmond, VA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 4-401(a) defines an exotic or wild animal to include any live monkey, raccoon, opossum, skunk, wolf, coyote, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, caracal, bobcat or bear, plus any other warm-blooded animal normally found in the wild, and any venomous or poisonous reptile or amphibian or any crocodilian, including alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gavials. The section carves out common pets: ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, captive-bred nonvenomous reptiles, amphibians and fish, and legally imported or domestically bred birds are not exotic or wild animals under this rule.

Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to own, breed, purchase, sell, keep or possess an exotic or wild animal in the City at all, except for zoological parks, performing-animal exhibitions, circuses, wildlife rehabilitators and veterinary clinics properly licensed by the state or federal government, or a person who has separately obtained a Department permit for that specific animal. Anyone caught with a prohibited animal can cure the violation only by permanently removing it from the City or surrendering it to a licensed zoo, the Department, or another properly licensed caretaker under Subsection (c).

Subsection (e) grandfathers venomous or poisonous reptile and amphibian owners who already had the animal before the ordinance took effect, but only if they registered it with the Department within 180 days of the effective date, or within 180 days of first bringing the animal into the City if they moved in afterward. Employees of state and federal wildlife agencies and permitted wildlife-control companies are exempt under Subsection (d).