Exotic Pets: Salt Lake City vs West Valley City
How do exotic pets rules compare between Salt Lake City, UT and West Valley City, UT?
Salt Lake City and West Valley City have similar restriction levels.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake County
Salt Lake City prohibits keeping wild, dangerous, or exotic animals including big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles, and constrictors over 8 ft under SLC 8.04.230.
View full Salt Lake City rules →West Valley City, UT
Salt Lake County
West Valley City prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals (lions, tigers, bears, venomous reptiles, primates) per WVC Code 6-1. Utah DNR permits required for native wildlife.
View full West Valley City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Salt Lake City | West Valley City |
|---|---|---|
| Code | SLC 8.04.230 | - |
| Banned | Big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles | Wild and exotic |
| Constrictors | Over 8 ft prohibited | - |
| State | UDWR permit rules R657-3 | - |
| State Authority | - | Utah DWR R657-3 |
| Category | - | Prohibited species |
| Permit | - | COR required |
| Penalty | - | Class B misdemeanor |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Salt Lake City FAQ
Can I own a ferret in SLC?
Yes. Ferrets are considered domestic in Utah and allowed in SLC.
Who enforces this?
Salt Lake City at (801) 535-7704.
West Valley City FAQ
Can I keep a pet monkey or serval in West Valley City?
No. Non-human primates and non-domestic cats (including servals, caracals, and bobcats) are prohibited under both WVC Title 6 and Utah Admin Code R657-3.
What about hedgehogs and sugar gliders?
Hedgehogs are illegal in Utah under R657-3. Sugar gliders are generally permitted as they are domesticated. Verify with Utah DWR before purchase.
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