Topeka, KS Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- TMC 6.20.010
- Scope
- Own, buy, sell, or trade banned
- Zoo/vet exception
- Yes, listed institutions only
- Penalty
- Court-ordered destruction/removal
Summary
Topeka bans owning, buying, or selling any live exotic or captive wild animal within city limits, with narrow institutional exceptions.
Except as allowed by subsection (d) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person, with no requirement of a culpable mental state, to own or keep in his or her possession or under his or her control or maintain any live exotic or captive wild animal within the City limits.
(b) Buying, Accepting in Trade. Except as allowed by subsection (d) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly buy or accept in trade any live exotic or captive wild animal within the City limits.
(c) Selling, Offering for Sale or Trade. Except as allowed by subsection (d) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly offer for sale or trade or to sell or trade any live exotic or captive wild animal within the City limits.
(d) Exceptions.
(1) The prohibitions in subsections (a) through (c) of this section shall not apply to bona fide zoos, as defined by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.
(2) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to:
(i) Medical institutions.
(ii) Post-secondary educational institutions.
(iii) Veterinary clinics in possession of the animals prohibited under this section.
(iv) Circuses.
(v) Persons designated and licensed as animal rehabilitators by the State Fish and Game Commission.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20671, passed July 14, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under TMC 6.20.010, it is unlawful to own, keep, possess, buy, sell, or trade any live exotic or captive wild animal in Topeka. Exceptions cover bona fide zoos, medical and post-secondary educational institutions, veterinary clinics, licensed circuses, and state-licensed animal rehabilitators. TMC 6.05.070(d) separately bans venomous snakes/lizards, 8-foot-plus nonvenomous snakes, monitor lizards, cassowaries, emus, ostriches, rheas, and snapping turtles as pets regardless of exotic-animal status. A convicted owner can be ordered by the Municipal Court to destroy or remove the animal from the city.
Violations & Fines
Municipal Court may order destruction or removal of the animal from the city upon conviction; each day of violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic pet in Topeka if I have a permit?
Are venomous snakes legal as pets in Topeka?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Topeka
Compare Topeka to another location·View the Kansas animal ordinances overview
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