Wilmington, DE Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No wild animals kept as pets
- Covers
- Primates, big cats, venomous snakes
- Exception
- Licensed circuses, zoos, schools
- First-offense fine
- $250-$1,000
- Repeat-offense fine
- Up to $5,000, not suspendable
Summary
Wilmington bans keeping any wild animal, including monkeys, big cats, and poisonous snakes, within city limits as pets.
Wild animal means any live monkey, nonhuman primate, raccoon, skunk, fox, poisonous snake, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded animal which can normally be found in the wild state. ... No wild animal and no wild fowl may be kept within the city limits, except under such conditions as shall be fixed by the appropriate state agency; provided, however, that wild animals and wild fowl may be kept for exhibition purposes by circuses, zoos and educational institutions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 3-14 of the Wilmington City Code makes it unlawful to keep a wild animal in the city. The code defines wild animal to cover monkeys, nonhuman primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes, poisonous snakes, leopards, panthers, tigers, lions, lynx, and any other warm-blooded animal normally found in the wild. Circuses, zoos, and educational institutions may keep wild animals for exhibition under state-set conditions, but private ownership as a pet is not permitted.
Violations & Fines
Fines of $250-$1,000 for a first offense, $500-$2,500 for a second, and $1,000-$5,000 (not suspendable) for a third or later offense; corporations face up to $5,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet monkey or snake in Wilmington?
Are there any exceptions to Wilmington's wild animal ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wilmington
Compare Wilmington to another location·View the Delaware animal ordinances overview
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