Syracuse, NY Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban scope
- citywide, any wild/dangerous/poisonous animal
- Exempt uses
- zoos, licensed labs, circuses/exhibits with safeguards
- Also exempt
- DEC wildlife permit holders
- Named species
- alligators, bears, cougars, tigers, wolves, more
- Fine
- up to $150
- Jail
- up to 15 days
- Continuing violation
- each day after conviction is separate offense
Summary
Keeping any wild, ferocious, dangerous or poisonous animal, bird or reptile in Syracuse is illegal unless it's at a zoo, licensed lab, circus or exhibit with adequate safeguards, or held under a state DEC wildlife permit. The code names dozens of covered species, from alligators to wolves.
No person shall keep within the City of Syracuse any animal which is deemed to include a reptile, bird and/or an animal of a species which is wild, ferocious, fierce, dangerous, poisonous or naturally inclined to do harm, except under the following conditions or locations: (1)A zoological park; or(2)A laboratory operated pursuant to the Public Health Law; or(3)A circus, sideshow, or other place of public exhibition or amusement, an educational or scientific institution, or an establishment of a commercial dealer in animals, which has protective devices which are adequate to prevent such animal from escaping or injuring the public; or(4)Maintaining wild animal(s) pursuant to a wildlife permit issued from the department of environmental conservation authorizing the possession, transport, import or export of any reptile, bird or animal which herein may not be permitted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
Article 18 bars anyone from keeping an animal, bird or reptile in Syracuse that is 'wild, ferocious, fierce, dangerous, poisonous or naturally inclined to do harm,' regardless of whether the individual animal is tame or has been raised as a pet by its keeper. The definition in section 16-63 lists specific species covered, including alligators, anacondas, bears, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, crocodiles, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lynx, monkeys, apes, mongooses, tigers, wolves and poisonous reptiles generally, along with farm and draft animals such as cows, goats, sheep, pigs (except Chinese potbelly pigs), roosters, camels and llamas.
The ban applies citywide with four exceptions in section 16-62: a zoological park; a laboratory operating under the Public Health Law; a circus, sideshow, exhibition, educational or scientific institution, or a commercial animal dealer whose protective devices are adequate to prevent the animal from escaping or hurting the public; or anyone holding a wildlife permit from the state Department of Environmental Conservation authorizing possession, transport, import or export of that reptile, bird or animal.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a prohibited wild or dangerous animal is a violation punishable by a fine of up to $150, imprisonment of up to 15 days, or both. If the violation continues after conviction, each additional day counts as a separate offense, so an owner who keeps the animal after being convicted can face repeated fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own an exotic pet in Syracuse?
Does Syracuse's wild animal ban cover farm animals too?
What permit lets someone legally keep a wild animal in Syracuse?
What's the penalty for keeping a banned animal in Syracuse?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Syracuse
New York rules heatmap·Compare Syracuse to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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