Vermilion Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Vermilion Parish Code § 6-12 defines an exotic animal as any species of animal born or whose natural habitat is outside the continental United States, plus any undomesticated animal indigenous to the United States that can normally be found in the wild state. The definition names lions, tigers, ligers, panthers, cougars, bobcats, pumas and mountain lions, and the list is not limited to those animals.

Section 6-80(a) makes it unlawful to own or possess an exotic animal within the parish without first obtaining a permit from the Police Jury. Before the Police Jury considers an application, subsection (b) requires five showings. The applicant gives a full description of the species and the number of exotic animals to be kept. The applicant describes the location and facility, with evidence that the site can provide adequate shelter, food, water and security. The applicant proves general liability coverage for the premises and the activities tied to the animals, with minimum limits of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. The applicant shows that all required local, state and federal permits and licenses have been obtained. Finally, the applicant produces evidence that 75 percent of all residents living within a one-mile radius of the proposed location have signed a letter of no objection.

The neighbor-consent requirement is the hardest step in a rural parish: the letter has to come from residents within a one-mile radius, not from adjoining owners only. Section 6-80 prints no application fee, no permit term and no renewal schedule. The parish office of animal and rabies control, through the Police Jury, holds jurisdiction under § 6-23, and animal control officers and law enforcement officers enforce Article II. Separately, Article III (§ 6-169) defines livestock to include imported exotic deer and antelope, elk, farm-raised white tailed deer, farm-raised ratites and other farm-raised exotic animals, so a keeper of farm-raised stock should read both articles.