Sioux Falls, SD Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sioux Falls Code § 90.008(d)
- Banned examples
- Bears, mountain lions, bobcats, lynx, venomous snakes
- Exotic animal defined
- § 90.001: any non-native U.S. species
- Exemptions
- Licensed zoo, circus, or menagerie only
- Penalty basis
- General penalty, § 10.999
Summary
Sioux Falls outlaws keeping bears, big cats, native fur bearers, endangered species, exotic animals, or venomous snakes anywhere in the city, with narrow zoo and circus exceptions.
It is considered a nuisance and shall be unlawful for any person to keep and maintain (other than the care and treatment of injured or abandoned birds and animals by people licensed for that purpose) or to sell native fur bearers, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, lynx, panthers, endangered species, exotic animals, or venomous snakes.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the keeping of (Felis catus) the domestic cat, (Mustela putorius furo) the European polecat otherwise known as the ferret, or (Canis familiaris) the domestic dog, as long as all provisions of ordinance are followed.
(f) It shall be unlawful for livestock to be kept within the city limits, except that such livestock may be kept on property that is classified as AG, Agricultural District under the zoning ordinance of the city of Sioux Falls. This section shall not apply to livestock kept as a part of any research, educational institution, stockyard, or temporarily exhibited.
(g) Slaughter of animals is prohibited. This prohibition shall not include slaughter as part of any research, educational instruction, stockyard, or slaughterhouse.
(h) This section shall not apply to any circus or menagerie property licensed by the city or to the Great Plains Zoo. (1992 Code, § 7-8) (Ord. 21-75, passed 4-7-1975; Ord. 22-80, passed 3-31-1980; Ord. 122-95, passed 9-18-1995; Ord. 16-13, passed 4-2-2013; Ord. 90-17, passed
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-135: Current through local ordinance 54-26, passed 7-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
City code § 90.008(d) makes it a nuisance and unlawful to keep, maintain, or sell native fur bearers, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, lynx, panthers, endangered species, exotic animals, or venomous snakes. "Exotic animal" is defined in § 90.001 as any animal not occurring naturally in the United States, currently or historically, and claimed domestication does not change that status. The only carve-outs are licensed circuses/menageries and the Great Plains Zoo (§ 90.008(h)); rehabbers licensed to treat injured or abandoned wildlife are also exempt from the keeping ban. Cats, ferrets, and dogs remain expressly allowed under § 90.008(e).
Violations & Fines
Violating § 90.008 is enforced under the general penalty at § 10.999; the animal control officer may seize the animal and issue a citation for each day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet snake in Sioux Falls?
Does the ban cover animals bought out of state?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sioux Falls
Compare Sioux Falls to another location·View the South Dakota animal ordinances overview
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