Santa Fe, NM Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

1 SFCC 1987, in the "Exotic Animals and Guard Dogs" article of Chapter V, bars anyone from being in charge of, possessing or owning a wild or exotic animal or species prohibited by federal or state law, an animal kept in numbers or conditions likely to harm people, property or the animals themselves, any bat, or any skunk acquired after the ordinance's effective date. Existing skunk owners as of the effective date had sixty days to obtain a wild or exotic animal permit to keep their animal legally.

Anyone else who wants to keep a permittable wild or exotic animal must apply to the administrator, who inspects the proposed housing, reviews the applicant's care plan and list of qualified caretakers, and may deny the permit if the section's standards are not met. The permit runs one year, must be renewed with a fresh inspection, and can be consolidated across offspring or replacement animals of the same species if the administrator is notified in writing within thirty days. Permit holders must keep the animal's housing sufficiently spacious, ventilated and temperature-controlled, clean and sanitary at all times, notify the administrator of any change in residence or disposition of the animal, and submit a veterinarian's health certificate within fourteen days of acquiring the animal.

Zoos, veterinary hospitals, humane societies, shelters and educational or scientific facilities with adequate escape-proof housing are excluded from these permit requirements, and the administrator can permit prohibited species for educational or scientific purposes.