Roseville, MN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

The rule sits in Chapter 501 of the Roseville City Code, the animal control chapter. Subsection (a) states the purpose: keeping any wild animal within the city limits is unlawful except as the section permits. Subsection (b) defines a wild animal as any animal, mammal, amphibian, or reptile that is wild by nature or, because of size, vicious nature or another characteristic, inherently dangerous to human beings. The examples are expressly given without limitation. They include large cats of the family Felidae other than domesticated house cats, members of the family Canidae such as wolves, hybrid wolves, coyotes, dingoes and jackals other than domesticated dogs, crossbreeds between dogs and coyotes or wolves, venomous snakes, any skunk, raccoon, fox or protected animal, any bear, ape, monkey in excess of five pounds, or badger, and any other animal, bird or reptile commonly considered wild and not domesticated.

Subsection (c)(2) lists the exceptions: nonvenomous snakes, domesticated birds, hamsters, mice, rabbits, lizards, spiders and other similar small animals capable of being kept in cages; rats, if purchased from a bona fide pet store; medically prescribed companion animals; and birds and birds of prey kept under a valid federal fish and wildlife service permit. A city permit for a prohibited animal runs no longer than 30 days and is issued only for an animal kept by a person acting for a public zoo as a volunteer or docent. A public zoo or other institution engaged in a permanent display of animals, a bona fide research institution or a veterinary hospital can receive a permanent permit if applicable zoning requirements are met.

Under subsection (d), the city can impound any wild animal kept in violation. Five days after notice to the owner of the impoundment and of the section's provisions, the animal can be destroyed or sold, and anyone reclaiming it pays the costs of impounding and boarding at release. Subsection (e) gave anyone already keeping a wild animal when the section was adopted 30 days to comply. Section 501.24 lets any community service officer, reserve officer or police officer enter private land where there is reasonable cause to believe Chapter 501 is being violated.