Springdale, AR Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned species
- apes, bears, big cats, wolves, all snakes
- List scope
- illustrative, not exhaustive
- Exceptions
- council-approved events, vet clinics, transit
- Enforcement
- police & Animal Services Division
Summary
Springdale prohibits keeping, maintaining, selling, or possessing poisonous reptiles, snakes, apes, bears, big cats, hyenas, wolves, and other dangerous or carnivorous wild animals anywhere in the city, with narrow exceptions for approved events, clinics, and transport.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, sell or have in their possession or under their control within the city any poisonous reptile or any other dangerous or carnivorous wild animal or reptile.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, sell or have in their possession or under their control within the city any of the following animals, whether the animal is pure bred, hybrid, or a mixed breed:(1)All poisonous animals including rear-fang snakes.(2)Apes; chimpanzees (Pan); gibbons (Hylobates); gorillas (Gorilla); organgutans (Pongo); and siamangs (Symphalangus).(3)Baboons (Papoi, Mandrillus).(4)Bears (Ursidae).(5)Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).(6)Alligators or crocodilians (Crocodilia).(7)Snakes.(8)Coyotes (Canis latrans).(9)Elephants (Elephas and Loxodonta).(10)Hippopotami (Hippopotamidae).(11)Hyenas (Hyaenidae).(12)Jaguars (Panthera onca).(13)Leopards (Panthera pardus).(14)Lions (Panthera leo).(15)Lynxes (Lynx).(16)Monkey, old world (Cercopithecidae).(17)Piranha fish (Characidae).(18)Pumas (Felis concolor), also known as cougars, mountain lions and panthers.(19)Rhinoceroses (Rhinocero tidae).(20)Tigers (Panthera tigris).(21)Wolves (Canis lupus).(22)Deer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 145).
Full Breakdown
Section 14-7 of the Springdale Code bans possessing, keeping, or selling any poisonous reptile or dangerous/carnivorous wild animal within city limits, then names species specifically: apes, baboons, bears, cheetahs, alligators, all snakes, coyotes, elephants, hyenas, big cats, lynxes, old-world monkeys, pumas, rhinoceroses, tigers, wolves, and deer. The list is illustrative, not exclusive, any animal meeting the general danger standard is banned even if unlisted. Narrow carve-outs exist for city-council-approved events like the Rodeo of the Ozarks, medical and educational institutions, veterinary clinics, and animals merely passing through the city in a transport vehicle. Police and Animal Services may seize violating animals.
Violations & Fines
Violators face seizure and impoundment; the court may order the animal removed from the city or euthanized, plus fines and costs under the chapter's general penalty section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet snake in Springdale?
Are exotic pets allowed if I already had one before the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springdale
Compare Springdale to another location·View the Arkansas animal ordinances overview
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