Schaumburg, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 92.90(M), definitions at § 92.01
- Wild animal definition
- Undomesticated, feral, or poisonous reptile pets
- State law layered in
- Illinois Dangerous Animals Act, 720 ILCS 585
- License exception
- Valid state/federal permit exempts owner (§92.30(J))
- Enforcement
- Police dept. and community development dept.
- Penalty
- $100-$50,000 per day (§10.99)
Summary
Schaumburg treats keeping a wild animal as a village code violation whenever doing so already breaks federal, state or local law, per Section 92.90(M). Because Illinois' Dangerous Animals Act bars most exotic and dangerous pets without a state permit, the local rule lets police cite an owner in village court instead of leaving enforcement to the state alone.
No person shall keep or permit to be kept or display for exhibition purposes any wild animal contrary to federal, state, and local laws or regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56 Update 1 | Policy Manual: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
01 of the Schaumburg Village Code defines a WILD ANIMAL broadly: any undomesticated animal, feral animal or poisonous reptile that has been bred or offered for sale or nonsale as a pet. 90(M), in the Standards of Care subchapter, then makes it unlawful for anyone to keep, permit to be kept, or display for exhibition any wild animal that is kept contrary to federal, state or local law or regulation. 90(M) at once. 01, can cite the animal's keeper directly in village court rather than waiting on county or state action.
30(J), exempts animals held under a valid state or federal license or approval, so a properly licensed wildlife rehabilitator, zoo or research facility is not automatically swept in. There is no separate Schaumburg exotic-animal permit process: the Village does not issue its own license to keep a wild animal as a pet, so the only path to lawfully possessing one is holding whatever state or federal authorization the animal's species requires.
Violations & Fines
A wild-animal violation is prosecuted under the Village's general penalty, Section 10.99: a fine of at least $100 and up to $50,000, with each day the animal remains on the property counted as a separate offense. Because Section 92.90(M) ties the local violation to an underlying federal or state law violation, an owner can also face separate state charges under the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic pet like a snake or big cat in Schaumburg?
What counts as a wild animal under Schaumburg's code?
Is there an exception for zoos or wildlife rehabbers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Schaumburg
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