Baltimore County, MD Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Wild animal permit
- Required; Health Officer approval
- Code section
- 12-7-101
- Also required
- State and federal permits
- State exotic ban
- Md. Crim. Law § 10-621
- Exemption
- Research institutes
Summary
Baltimore County Code 12-7-101 bars keeping a wild animal on your premises for any purpose without the Health Officer's approval. A permit issued by Permits, Approvals and Inspections requires all applicable state and federal permits. Maryland also bans dangerous exotics like big cats and primates.
A person may not keep or allow to be kept on the person's premises a wild animal for any purposes without the approval of the Health Officer.(c)Application requirements. An application for a permit to keep a wild animal shall be accompanied by the appropriate state and federal permits where required.(d)Permit issued. The Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections may issue a permit on recommendation of the Health Officer. (1988 Code, § 6-256) (Bill No. 3-00, § 4, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 63-01, § 1, 8-10-2001; Bill No. 7-08, § 3, 3-30-2008; Bill No. 122-10, §§ 5, 30, 1-16-2011; Bill No. 68-13, § 1, 12-29-2013)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
Under Title 7, a person may not keep, or allow to be kept, a wild animal on their premises without the Health Officer's approval; a permit is issued by PAI on the Health Officer's recommendation, and the application must include the required state and federal permits. The County defines a 'wild animal' as any species that is naturally wild, dangerous, or ferocious, including a tamed animal that remains dangerous to the public. This layers on top of Maryland's exotic-pet ban (Criminal Law §10-621), which prohibits importing or keeping many dangerous exotics such as big cats, bears, and primates. Research institutes are exempt from the county permit.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a wild animal without approval violates Article 12: civil penalty $30 first / $150 repeat, and a misdemeanor; the animal may be impounded. State exotic-ban violations are separate misdemeanors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a snake, monkey, or big cat?
What counts as a wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baltimore County
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