North Dakota regulates exotic and nontraditional livestock under NDCC 36-01-08.2, requiring state licensing for Category 2 and 3 animals including big cats, bears, and primates. The Board of Animal Health enforces these rules statewide, preempting weaker local laws.
NDCC 36-01-08.2 classifies nontraditional livestock into three categories. Category 1 includes domesticated animals like alpacas. Category 2 covers exotic species like elk and fallow deer requiring licensure. Category 3 includes inherently dangerous species including bears, big cats (lions, tigers, leopards), wolves, and nonhuman primates, which require a Board of Animal Health license, secure facilities, and liability insurance. The state Board of Animal Health enforces these rules through inspections. Federal USDA-licensed exhibitors and accredited zoos are exempt. Local jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions but cannot weaken these state minimums.
Possessing Category 3 animals without a license is a class A misdemeanor with fines up to $3,000, jail up to 360 days, and animal seizure.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
West Fargo, ND
West Fargo regulates amplified music and outdoor sound systems primarily through quiet-hour enforcement. Amplified sound audible beyond the property line dur...
West Fargo, ND
West Fargo regulates persistent barking dogs as a public nuisance under local animal control ordinances. Continuous barking beyond 10 to 15 minutes may trigg...
West Fargo, ND
West Fargo limits construction to 7 AM to 10 PM as one of North Dakota's fastest-growing cities. Extensive new subdivision and commercial development drives ...
West Fargo, ND
West Fargo enforces quiet hours generally from 10 PM to 7 AM under local municipal ordinances. North Dakota Century Code provides broad nuisance authority fo...
West Fargo, ND
West Fargo Section 4-441 limits front-yard fences to 2 ft 6 in (4 ft if open-style with 50%+ visibility). Side and rear yard fences may reach 6 ft. Corner-lo...
West Fargo, ND
West Fargo follows North Dakota boundary fence law under NDCC §47-26 which establishes shared responsibilities for partition fences between neighboring prope...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cass County.
See how West Fargo's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.