Rochester, MN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Sec. 3-1-4 makes it unlawful to keep any "wild animal" in the city except as the section allows. A wild animal is defined broadly as any species that is wild by nature, or that is inherently dangerous to people because of size, vicious nature or other traits. The ordinance lists examples without limitation: large cats of the family Felidae such as lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cougars (domestic house cats excepted); Canidae such as wolves, hybrid wolves, coyotes, dingoes and jackals (domesticated dogs excepted); crossbreeds between dogs and wolves or coyotes; poisonous snakes including rattlesnakes, coral snakes, water moccasins and cobras; skunks, raccoons, foxes and any animal protected under state or federal wildlife rules; bears, apes, monkeys over five pounds, and badgers; porcine animals including pot-bellied pigs; and any other bird, reptile or animal commonly considered wild and undomesticated. S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit.