Exotic pet laws in Utah
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The table lists every animal we cover and what Utah law says about keeping it as a pet. Each row links to the rule it rests on; animals link to their own state-by-state guide.
Animal by animal in Utah
| Animal | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | Utah bans possessing a live raccoon. Only organizations doing research or exhibition can request a variance from the Department of Agriculture and Food, so a pet owner cannot get one.Variance only for research or exhibition organizations | Utah Admin. Code R58-14-3(2)-(3); R657-3b-1(2) |
| Skunk | Banned | Skunks are not on any Utah list, and unlisted species are presumed prohibited. Utah also bars taking native mammals from the wild for personal possession.Not on any list; treated as prohibited until assessed | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Pet monkey | Banned | Utah prohibits all non-human primates, and personal possession will not be authorized. | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Big cat | Banned | Lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, snow leopards and cougars, and their hybrids, are on Utah's prohibited list. Personal possession will not be authorized. | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Prairie dog | Banned | Prairie dogs are not on any Utah list, and unlisted species are presumed prohibited. Utah also bars taking native mammals from the wild for personal possession.Not on any list; treated as prohibited until assessed | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Kinkajou | Banned | Kinkajous are not on any Utah list, and unlisted species are presumed prohibited until the Division assesses them.Not on any list; treated as prohibited until assessed | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Otter | Banned | Otters are not on any Utah list, and unlisted species are presumed prohibited. Utah also bars taking native mammals from the wild for personal possession.Not on any list; treated as prohibited until assessed | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Lemur | Banned | Utah prohibits all non-human primates, which includes lemurs. Personal possession will not be authorized. | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Alligator or other crocodilian | Banned | Utah classifies all crocodilians as prohibited. Possession requires a Wildlife Board variance, which is not a route for ordinary pet owners. | Utah Admin. Code R657-53-9(1)(b); R657-53-6(5) |
| Bear | Banned | Bears (family Ursidae) are on Utah's prohibited list, and personal possession will not be authorized. | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Capybara | Permit needed | Capybaras are a controlled species. You need a Division of Wildlife Resources certificate of registration before keeping one, and the Division weighs facilities, experience and public safety.Certificate of registration (controlled species) | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1; R6... |
| Fennec fox | Permit needed | Fennec foxes are a controlled species. You need a Division of Wildlife Resources certificate of registration before keeping one.Certificate of registration (controlled species) | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1; R6... |
| Wallaby | Permit needed | Wallabies and other Macropodidae are controlled. You need a Division of Wildlife Resources certificate of registration before keeping one.Certificate of registration (controlled species) | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1; R6... |
| Kangaroo | Permit needed | Kangaroos (Macropodidae) are controlled. You need a Division of Wildlife Resources certificate of registration before keeping one.Certificate of registration (controlled species) | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1; R6... |
| Bobcat | Permit needed | Bobcats are controlled and listed as captive-bred only. You need a Division of Wildlife Resources certificate of registration, and taking one from the wild for a pet is barred.Captive-bred only; certificate of registration | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1; R6... |
| Axolotl | Depends | Axolotls are not named in Utah's reptile and amphibian rule, and unlisted species default to controlled. A legally obtained captive animal needs no wildlife document if you keep written proof of lawful acquisition. Ask the Division about limits.Unlisted species default to controlled; keep written proof of legal acquisition (R657-53-5) | Utah Admin. Code R657-53-7(8); R657-53-5(1)(b) |
| Serval or savannah cat | Depends | Servals are not listed, so they are presumed prohibited. Savannah cats are domestic only if they belong to a cat breed recognized by The International Cat Association. Early-generation hybrids are unclear, so ask the Division.Serval prohibited; Savannah cats only as a TICA-recognized breed, generation limits not stated | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Red fox | Depends | Red foxes are listed as domestic only if privately owned and domestically bred and raised. Wild-caught red foxes are not covered by that listing, and Utah bars taking native mammals from the wild for personal possession.Domestically bred and raised only | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Venomous snake | Depends | Nonnative venomous snakes whose bite can cause serious injury are prohibited and need a Wildlife Board variance. Native venomous reptiles such as rattlesnakes need a certificate of registration, with applicants at least 18 and with handling experience.Nonnative: prohibited unless Wildlife Board variance; native venomous: certificate of registration, age 18+ | Utah Admin. Code R657-53-9(1)(a); R657-53-12(... |
| Giant constrictor | Depends | Giant constrictors are not named in Utah's reptile and amphibian rule, and unlisted species default to controlled. A legally obtained captive animal needs no wildlife document if you keep written proof of lawful acquisition. Ask the Division about limits.Unlisted species default to controlled; keep written proof of legal acquisition (R657-53-5) | Utah Admin. Code R657-53-7(8); R657-53-5(1)(b) |
| Tegu | Depends | Tegus are not named in Utah's reptile and amphibian rule, and unlisted species default to controlled. A legally obtained captive animal needs no wildlife document if you keep written proof of lawful acquisition. Ask the Division about limits.Unlisted species default to controlled; keep written proof of legal acquisition (R657-53-5) | Utah Admin. Code R657-53-7(8); R657-53-5(1)(b) |
| Wolfdog | Depends | Utah lists the domestic dog as including hybrids between wild and domestic species, while wolves themselves are prohibited. How the Division treats a wolf-dog is not spelled out, so confirm with the Division.Wolf itself is prohibited; hybrids with dogs fall under the domestic dog entry | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| African pygmy hedgehog | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix) are listed as domestic, so Utah's wildlife rule does not require a permit. Other hedgehog species are controlled and need a certificate of registration.Listed as a domestic animal, so not governed by the Division's certificate of registration rule | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Ferret | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are listed as domestic animals, so Utah's wildlife rule does not require a permit to keep one.Listed as a domestic animal, so not governed by the Division's certificate of registration rule | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Sugar glider | No state restriction found | Sugar gliders are listed as domestic animals, so Utah's wildlife rule does not require a permit to keep one.Listed as a domestic animal, so not governed by the Division's certificate of registration rule | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Chinchilla | No state restriction found | Chinchillas are listed as domestic animals, so Utah's wildlife rule does not require a permit to keep one.Listed as a domestic animal, so not governed by the Division's certificate of registration rule | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Tarantula | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Utah's rule for this animal yet. Ask Utah Division of Wildlife Resources before you buy. | Agency page |
Who regulates exotic pets in Utah
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is the agency to ask. Controlled species need a Division certificate of registration (R657-3a-6). Live animals imported into Utah need a certificate of veterinary inspection and entry permit number under R58-1. Species not on Table 3b-1 are presumed prohibited until assessed.
The main texts:
- R657-3a Collection, importation, transportation and possession of animals
- R657-3b Certification of registration, birds and mammals (with Table 3b-1)
- R657-53 Amphibian and reptile rule
- R58-14-3 Raccoons and coyotes
Before you buy in Utah
- Ask the state agency above, in writing if you can, and keep the answer.
- Ask your county and city: local ordinances can ban an animal the state allows.
- Check your lease, homeowners or renters insurance and any homeowner association rules.
- Buy only from a seller who can show the animal is captive-bred and legal to ship to Utah.
See every state in exotic pet laws by state, or test one animal in the legality checker.
How we checked. For each state we read the statutes, administrative code and agency lists that govern keeping wild or exotic animals, and every row above links to the text it rests on. A second, independent reviewer then re-read the same sources, and a row is shown only if it survived that check. "Not verified yet" means a state's rule could not be read or confirmed, which is a gap in our data and not a green light. County and city ordinances, landlord and insurance rules, and federal law sit on top of the state rule. Read how we check. See an error? Email hello@creaturesincrisis.org with the link.
Quick answers
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Utah?
- Banned. Utah bans possessing a live raccoon. Only organizations doing research or exhibition can request a variance from the Department of Agriculture and Food, so a pet owner cannot get one.
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Utah?
- Banned. Utah prohibits all non-human primates, and personal possession will not be authorized.
- Is it legal to own a fox in Utah?
- Depends. Red foxes are listed as domestic only if privately owned and domestically bred and raised. Wild-caught red foxes are not covered by that listing, and Utah bars taking native mammals from the wild for personal possession.
- Is it legal to own a skunk in Utah?
- Banned. Skunks are not on any Utah list, and unlisted species are presumed prohibited. Utah also bars taking native mammals from the wild for personal possession.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Utah?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are listed as domestic animals, so Utah's wildlife rule does not require a permit to keep one.
- Is it legal to own a capybara in Utah?
- Permit needed. Capybaras are a controlled species. You need a Division of Wildlife Resources certificate of registration before keeping one, and the Division weighs facilities, experience and public safety.
- Who do I ask about exotic pets in Utah?
- Start with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Then ask your county and city.