Rockwall, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Wild animals as pets
- Prohibited outright
- Covers
- Monkeys, big cats, wolves, venomous snakes
- Exhibition ban exception
- Zoos, circuses only
- Enforcement
- Animal services or police
Summary
Rockwall prohibits keeping any wild animal as a pet, covering monkeys, big cats, wolves, bears, venomous snakes, and other non-domesticated species.
No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet. ... Wild animal means any live monkey (nonhuman primate), raccoon, skunk, fox, wolf, bear, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, or other animal which can be normally found in the wild state not normally capable of being domesticated, including poisonous snakes, boa constrictors, alligators, crocodiles and other dangerous reptiles.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City code bars keeping a wild animal as a pet outright, and separately bars keeping a wild or vicious animal on any premises for sale, display, or exhibition. The definition sweeps in monkeys, raccoons, skunks, foxes, wolves, bears, big cats, poisonous snakes, boa constrictors, alligators, and crocodiles. Zoological parks, performing-animal exhibitions, and circuses are carved out of the display/exhibition ban, but the pet ban has no such exception. Animal services can seize and release any wild animal found being kept temporarily.
Violations & Fines
Violating the wild-animal-keeping ban is a Class C misdemeanor citable by animal services or police, with the animal subject to seizure and release by the animal services department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet monkey or snake in Rockwall?
Does the ban apply to zoos or circuses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockwall
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Rockwall to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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