Exotic pet laws in Washington
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The table lists every animal we cover and what Washington 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 Washington
| Animal | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | Raccoons are native wild animals in Washington. WDFW says possessing any wild mammal needs a permit, and permits go to rehabilitators and similar holders, not pet owners.Only rehabilitation or similar permits exist | WAC 220-450-030(4); RCW 77.08.010(72) |
| Red fox | Banned | Red foxes are native wild animals in Washington. WDFW says possessing any wild mammal needs a permit, and permits go to rehabilitators and similar holders, not pet owners.Only rehabilitation or similar permits exist; captive-bred silver foxes may be held for fur farming only | WAC 220-450-030(4); RCW 77.08.010(72) |
| Skunk | Banned | WDFW states it is illegal to keep skunks as pets. Skunks are native wild animals, and possession needs a permit not available to pet owners. | WAC 220-450-030(4); RCW 77.08.010(72) |
| Pet monkey | Banned | Washington bans private possession of all nonhuman primates, including monkeys and apes. Grandfathered only: an animal lawfully held before July 22, 2007 may be kept for life.Grandfathered animals only (pre July 22, 2007) | RCW 16.30.010(2)(a)(iii); RCW 16.30.030 |
| Big cat | Banned | Washington bans private possession of lions, tigers, captive-bred cougars, jaguars, cheetahs and leopards, including hybrids. Grandfathered only: an animal lawfully held before July 22, 2007 may be kept for life.Grandfathered animals only (pre July 22, 2007); breeding banned | RCW 16.30.010(2)(a)(i)(A); RCW 16.30.030 |
| Bobcat | Banned | Bobcats are native wild animals in Washington. WDFW says possessing any wild mammal needs a permit, and permits go to rehabilitators and similar holders, not pet owners.Only rehabilitation or similar permits exist | WAC 220-450-030(4); RCW 77.08.010(72) |
| Lemur | Banned | Lemurs are nonhuman primates, so Washington bans private possession. Grandfathered only: an animal lawfully held before July 22, 2007 may be kept for life.Grandfathered animals only (pre July 22, 2007) | RCW 16.30.010(2)(a)(iii); RCW 16.30.030 |
| Alligator or other crocodilian | Banned | Washington bans private possession of all crocodilians, including alligators and caimans. Grandfathered only: an animal lawfully held before July 22, 2007 may be kept for life.Grandfathered animals only (pre July 22, 2007) | RCW 16.30.010(2)(b)(ii); RCW 16.30.030 |
| Venomous snake | Banned | Washington bans private possession of vipers (such as rattlesnakes), elapids (such as cobras), sea snakes, atractaspids and boomslangs. Grandfathered only: an animal lawfully held before July 22, 2007 may be kept for life.Grandfathered animals only (pre July 22, 2007); venomous snakes not on the list are not covered | RCW 16.30.010(2)(b); RCW 16.30.030 |
| Bear | Banned | Washington lists all bears as dangerous wild animals, and native black bears also fall under wildlife law, which bars holding wild animals without a permit pet owners cannot get. Pre-2007 grandfathering applies only to animals on the dangerous list.Grandfathering under RCW 16.30.030(3) covers only animals lawfully held before July 22, 2007 | RCW 16.30.010(2)(a)(i)(C); RCW 16.30.020(1)(k... |
| Otter | Depends | River otters are native wild animals and need a permit pet owners cannot get. Asian small-clawed otters are not named in any state list, so no state rule was found for them.River otter prohibited; Asian small-clawed otter not listed | WAC 220-450-030(4); RCW 77.08.010(72) |
| Axolotl | No state restriction found | Axolotls are not on Washington's prohibited amphibian list (other tiger salamanders are). Nonnative aquarium animals fall under regulated Type B, which restricts release into water or onto property, not pet keeping.Never release into any water body or onto property without department authorization | WAC 220-640-070(2); RCW 77.135.040(2) |
| Capybara | No state restriction found | Capybaras are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. Nutria are prohibited, but capybaras are a different family. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| African pygmy hedgehog | No state restriction found | African pygmy hedgehogs are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Ferret | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not wild animals under Washington law and are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Sugar glider | No state restriction found | Sugar gliders are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Fennec fox | No state restriction found | Only wolves are covered among canids in the dangerous list. Fennec foxes are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Serval or savannah cat | No state restriction found | Servals are not among the cats the dangerous wild animal law names (lions, tigers, cougars and similar), and no other state list names them. State law does not address savannah cat hybrids.No hybrid generation rules found in state law | RCW 16.30.010(2)(a)(i)(A) |
| Wallaby | No state restriction found | Wallabies are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Chinchilla | No state restriction found | Chinchillas are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Tarantula | No state restriction found | Tarantulas and other spiders are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Kangaroo | No state restriction found | Kangaroos are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Prairie dog | No state restriction found | Prairie dogs are not native to Washington and are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Kinkajou | No state restriction found | Kinkajous are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Giant constrictor | No state restriction found | Washington has no rule on giant constrictors. Pythons and anacondas are not named in the dangerous list, which covers only certain venomous snakes and crocodilians. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Tegu | No state restriction found | Tegus are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. The prohibited species lists cover aquatic animals. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| Wolfdog | No state restriction found | Washington's dangerous wild animal law lists wolves but expressly excludes wolf-hybrids, so state law does not ban them. No other state rule names wolfdogs. Pure wolves are endangered and protected.Pure wolves (Canis lupus) are protected; wolf-hybrids are excluded from the dangerous list | RCW 16.30.010(2)(a)(i)(B); WAC 220-610-010 |
Who regulates exotic pets in Washington
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW); Washington State Department of Agriculture handles import health rules is the agency to ask. Native wildlife (species living wild in Washington, including native mammals) may not be held in captivity unless lawfully acquired, and WDFW permits go to rehabilitators and similar holders. Imports must meet WAC 16-54-180 (WSDA health rules). Escapes must be reported within 24 hours.
The main texts:
- RCW 16.30 Potentially dangerous wild animals
- WAC 220-450-030 Live wildlife possession
- WAC 220-640 Invasive species and deleterious exotic wildlife
- RCW 77.08.010 Definitions (wild animals, wildlife)
- WAC 220-430-010 Game farm licence
Before you buy in Washington
- 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 Washington.
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 Washington?
- Banned. Raccoons are native wild animals in Washington. WDFW says possessing any wild mammal needs a permit, and permits go to rehabilitators and similar holders, not pet owners.
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Washington?
- Banned. Washington bans private possession of all nonhuman primates, including monkeys and apes. Grandfathered only: an animal lawfully held before July 22, 2007 may be kept for life.
- Is it legal to own a fox in Washington?
- Banned. Red foxes are native wild animals in Washington. WDFW says possessing any wild mammal needs a permit, and permits go to rehabilitators and similar holders, not pet owners.
- Is it legal to own a skunk in Washington?
- Banned. WDFW states it is illegal to keep skunks as pets. Skunks are native wild animals, and possession needs a permit not available to pet owners.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Washington?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are not wild animals under Washington law and are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them.
- Is it legal to own a capybara in Washington?
- No state restriction found. Capybaras are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. Nutria are prohibited, but capybaras are a different family.
- Who do I ask about exotic pets in Washington?
- Start with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW); Washington State Department of Agriculture handles import health rules. Then ask your county and city.