Youngstown, OH Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Youngstown Codified Ordinances § 505.17(a) defines 'wild animal' broadly as any living wild or potentially dangerous mammal, reptile, fowl or other vertebrate species that is not naturally tame, is of a wild nature, and could endanger people or property if it escaped secure quarters. The ordinance enumerates specific species covered, including all snakes, bears, cheetahs, birds of prey, coyotes, elephants, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lions, lynxes, pumas, non-human primates, raccoons, skunks, tigers, wolf-dog hybrids, wild cats and alligators and crocodiles. Subsection (d) makes it unlawful to keep or maintain a wild animal, livestock or poultry inside or outside a structure within the City, with narrow carve-outs for temporary events such as circuses or zoo exhibitions staffed by trained professionals, licensed retail pet stores in a commercial zoning district, confined aquatic species, and immunized non-farm pets like dogs, cats and ferrets.

A resident who wants an exception beyond those listed animals may ask the Health Commissioner to inspect the property and issue a recommendation, which can then go to the City Planning Commission for a permit if the property is zoned for farming or agricultural use, subject to City Council consent by ordinance and revocation by the Planning and Zoning Department for noncompliance. A violation is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the court may order the animal transferred to a zoo or similar facility, or humanely destroyed if that is not practical.