St. George, UT Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule type
- Outright ban on private ownership
- Covers
- Any non-domesticated wild animal
- Also covers
- Endangered species
- Exemptions
- Shelter, zoo, vet, circus, education only
- Enforcement
- Division of animal control
Summary
St. George bans selling, buying, bartering, giving away, or keeping any non-domesticated wild animal or endangered species as a pet, with narrow exceptions for licensed institutions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale barter, give away, keep or purchase any wild animal which is not domesticated, or an animal belonging to an endangered species, except for the animal shelter, a zoological park, veterinary hospital, circus, sideshow, amusement show, or facility for education or scientific purposes if protective devices adequate to prevent such animal from escaping or injuring the public are provided.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City code makes it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, barter, give away, keep, or purchase any wild animal that is not domesticated, or any animal belonging to an endangered species. The ban exempts the city animal shelter, zoological parks, veterinary hospitals, circuses, sideshows, amusement shows, and education or scientific facilities, but only if those exempt operators provide protective devices adequate to prevent the animal from escaping or injuring the public. A private resident keeping a fox, big cat, primate, or venomous reptile as a household pet falls squarely inside the ban, since none of the listed exemptions cover private ownership.
Violations & Fines
Violating this chapter is a class B misdemeanor under the general animal control penalty provision, and the division of animal control can impound any animal kept in violation of the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet fox or serval in St. George?
Who is exempt from the wild animal ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
Compare St. George to another location·View the Utah animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.