Somerville, MA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

9.01: Exemption List Pursuant to the authority granted in M.G.L. c. 131, § 23, herewith is established a list of species which are exempt from the licensing provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 23. This list includes wild (i.e., non-domesticated) vertebrate animals which may be imported, sold or possessed without a permit. [...]

(1) Purpose. The purpose of 321 CMR 9.01 is to list those species which are exempt from the licensing provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 23, and which may be imported, possessed, maintained, propagated, bought, sold, exchanged or offered for sale without a license or permit from the Division. Species not listed, or which are expressly listed as "require(s) a permit", are not exempt from the provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 23. [...]

(3) Categorical Non-exemptions: No species in any of the following categories may be exempted:

(a) Threatened or endangered species listed pursuant to the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended;

(b) Species listed in the Red Book(-s) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature;

(c) Species appearing on the Massachusetts list of endangered, threatened, and special concern species at 321 CMR 10.90. [...]

(6) Liberation. No person shall liberate or cause to be liberated any exempt animal, except in accordance with a liberation permit issued pursuant to 321 CMR 2.15.