In unincorporated Douglas County, nondomestic or exotic animals are permitted only as a "use by special review" approved by the Board of County Commissioners, and only in the A-1 (Agriculture-One) and LRR (Large Rural Residential) zoning districts.
Section 2410 of the Douglas County Zoning Resolution governs exotic animals. Nondomestic or exotic animals are allowed only by "use by special review" upon Board approval, and only in the A-1 and LRR zone districts. A nondomestic animal is one "not normally adapted to live and breed in a tame condition"; an exotic animal is one "introduced from another country not normally kept as a household pet or farm animal." This means residential and suburban zones — including most of Highlands Ranch — cannot keep exotic species without rezoning approval. State and federal wildlife/possession laws (Colorado Parks & Wildlife) also apply on top of the county zoning rule.
Keeping an exotic or nondomestic animal without special-review approval, or outside A-1/LRR zoning, violates the Zoning Resolution and is enforced by Douglas County Planning; state wildlife-possession penalties may also apply.
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See how Douglas County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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