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Eugene, OR Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Required staffing
State-licensed wildlife rehabilitator on site
Prohibited species
Bears, wolves, cougars, carnivores over 80 lbs
Commercial activity
Breeding, sale or trade of wildlife banned
Discontinuance rule
2 years if rezoned out of the use
Governing section
EC 9.5850

Summary

Eugene's EC 9.5850 Wildlife Care Center Standards let a property take in injured or orphaned wildlife for rehabilitation, but only if a state-licensed wildlife rehabilitator occupies the site, bears, wolves, cougars and other carnivores over 80 pounds are barred, and no commercial breeding, sale or trade of wildlife is allowed.

(1) Commercial activities are not allowed. Breeding or raising wildlife for sale or trade, or the sale or trade of animal products is not permitted. (2) All wildlife that are being cared for must be kept indoors or within an area that is bounded by a site-obscuring fence. Enclosures shall be designed and constructed in a manner that is sturdy enough to prevent escape and access to their interiors by unauthorized persons. ... (5) Bears, wolves and cougars are prohibited, along with any other carnivores over 80 pounds in weight. (6) At least 1 person licensed by the state of Oregon as a wildlife rehabilitator or conducting wildlife rehabilitation under the supervision of a licensed rehabilitator must occupy the property.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).

Full Breakdown

5850 sets the standards for a Wildlife Care Center use in Eugene's land use code. Commercial activity is barred outright: subsection (1) prohibits breeding or raising wildlife for sale or trade and the sale or trade of any animal products. 5850(2)). 5850(3)). 5850(5)). 5850(6)). 5850(7)). 5850(8)). The section cross-references Eugene's separate Animal Regulations in EC Chapter 4 and Nuisance rules in EC Chapter 6.

Violations & Fines

Operating a wildlife care center without a resident state-licensed rehabilitator, keeping a prohibited species like a bear, wolf, cougar or other large carnivore, or running commercial breeding or sales, violates EC 9.5850 and is a land use code violation. EC 9.0275(2) sets the penalty at a fine of up to $1,000 per day the violation continues, or up to 100 days in jail, or both, and the city can revoke the use's zoning approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to run a wildlife rescue at my Eugene home?
At least one person living on the property has to be licensed by the State of Oregon as a wildlife rehabilitator, or work under one who is, under EC 9.5850(6). The land use code itself doesn't issue that license; it just requires it as a condition of the use.
Can a Eugene wildlife rescue take in a cougar or bear?
No. EC 9.5850(5) prohibits bears, wolves and cougars outright, along with any other carnivore weighing more than 80 pounds, regardless of how it was injured or where it came from. The center also can't be used for exotic or domestic animals under EC 9.5850(4).
Can a wildlife rehab center in Eugene sell animals or animal products?
No. EC 9.5850(1) bars all commercial activity at a wildlife care center, including breeding or raising wildlife for sale or trade and selling or trading any animal products. The use is limited to rehabilitation, not commerce, and violating that limit is enforced as a land use code violation.

Sources & Official References

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All Eugene rules

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