Can You Own a Pet Raccoon? Legal States, Permits & the Rabies Rule (2026)

Because the raccoon is a native animal almost everywhere in the continental United States, its legality is written into each state’s wildlife or game code — not the “exotic pet” lists that govern servals, kinkajous or sugar gliders. That native status, combined with the raccoon’s role as a leading carrier of rabies, is why most states either forbid keeping one as a pet or gate it behind a wildlife-possession permit. Below is the current legal status in all 50 states and D.C., each tied to the statute or rule behind it, followed by the specifics that matter most: California, the true permit states, and the captive-bred-versus-wild-caught rule that trips people up.

Varies Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor)

• Legal framework State wildlife / game codes (native-wildlife possession rules), not exotic/non-native restricted-species lists. Federal law does not restrict private raccoon ownership; the rules are entirely state-level.
• Most permissive Arkansas — no permit, up to six per household (AGFC Code 09.14).
• Notable ban California — Family Procyonidae is listed “(D)” detrimental under Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, § 671; no pet permit exists.
• Chief restriction driver Public health: raccoons are a CDC primary rabies-reservoir species, and there is no USDA-approved rabies vaccine for them. Many state bans cite rabies control directly.
• Wild vs. captive Where legal, most permit states allow only captive-bred animals from a licensed source and prohibit taking a raccoon from the wild.
• Last verified 2026-07-21

Can you own a pet raccoon? The short answer

Owning a pet raccoon is legal, without any permit, in exactly one state: Arkansas. Fourteen more states allow it only under a wildlife-possession permit or breeder’s license — and most of those require the animal to be captive-bred, not caught in the wild. Every other state, plus Washington, D.C., prohibits keeping a raccoon as a pet. So while “can you own a pet raccoon” has a yes-answer somewhere, for the large majority of Americans the honest answer is no, or not without a permit your state rarely grants to ordinary pet owners. Use the table to find your state, then read the notes — a status of “permit” often comes with conditions (captive-bred only, inspection, annual renewal) that matter as much as the yes/no.

Raccoon legality by state (all 50 + D.C.)

Legal no permit Permit license required Banned not allowed as a pet Unclear no clear pet permit; verify. Statuses reflect keeping a raccoon as a personal pet; rehabilitation, exhibition and research permits are separate and are noted where relevant.

• 1 state allows a pet raccoon with no permit — Arkansas
• 14 states allow one only with a wildlife permit
• 34 + DC states ban pet raccoons outright

Why raccoons are illegal in most states

Two forces drive the widespread bans, and they compound each other:

• Rabies. The raccoon is one of the four primary rabies-reservoir species in the United States (with bats, skunks and foxes), and there is no rabies vaccine licensed for use in raccoons. That means a raccoon that bites someone cannot be shown to be protected, and there is no approved way to clear it — so a bite typically ends with the animal euthanized for testing. States such as Kansas (K.A.R. 28-1-14), Kentucky (301 KAR 2:081), Rhode Island and Texas write the raccoon ban directly into their rabies-control rules.
• Native-wildlife protection. Because the raccoon is native almost everywhere, most states default to prohibiting private possession of native wildlife, allowing exceptions only for rehabilitation, education, research or (in a few states) a captive-breeding permit. This is why the raccoon is treated very differently from a non-native “exotic” like a fennec fox — it falls under game and furbearer law, not the exotic-species lists.

The rabies rule has teeth. Even in states where a raccoon is legal with a permit, if a pet raccoon bites a person it will usually be seized and euthanized for rabies testing — there is no approved vaccine or quarantine that substitutes. Never take a raccoon from the wild: beyond being illegal in most states, wild-caught raccoons carry the highest rabies and parasite (Baylisascaris roundworm) risk.

Is a pet raccoon legal in California?

No. A pet raccoon is illegal in California. Under California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 671 — the restricted-animals list — the entry for Family Procyonidae (the raccoon family) reads “All species — (D),” except the lesser panda. The “(D)” is the “detrimental animal” designation, meaning the state considers the species a threat to native wildlife, agriculture, or public health and safety. The list is enabled by Fish & Game Code § 2118, which makes it unlawful to import, transport or possess a restricted animal without a permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife — and CDFW does not issue those permits for pet-keeping. This is the same “(D)” mechanism that bans pet ferrets in California; see our detailed breakdown of whether ferrets are legal in California for how the restricted-species framework works.

The penalties sit in Fish & Game Code § 2125: a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000, plus a civil penalty of $500 to $10,000 per violation, and the animal may be seized.

Which states let you own a pet raccoon?

One state allows it outright and a handful more allow it with a permit. The realistic legal paths:

• Arkansas — no permit. Under Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Code 09.14, a household may keep up to six raccoons with no permit. Uniquely, Arkansas allows both hand-caught wild raccoons and captive-bred animals — but you may not sell or transfer them or their offspring. See the AGFC native-wildlife rule.
• Florida — Class III permit. The raccoon is Class III captive wildlife under Fla. Admin. Code r. 68A-6.002; a no-fee personal-pet permit is required, and wild-caught raccoons are prohibited — the animal must be captive-bred from a legal source.
• Indiana — Class II permit. A Class II Wild Animal Possession Permit under 312 IAC 9-11-7 ($20; apply within five days of acquiring, veterinary exam within 45 days).
• Oklahoma — breeder’s license. A Noncommercial Wildlife Breeder’s License under 29 O.S. § 4-122 ($10), obtained before acquiring the animal — one of the more attainable legal paths.
• Nebraska — captive wildlife permit. Under 163 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 4 § 008, captive-bred only, with proof of purchase from a licensed breeder. Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey, South Dakota and Wyoming also have permit paths, all effectively requiring a captive-bred, licensed-source animal.

For how these state permit systems work in general — application steps, inspections, and renewal — see our exotic pet permits guide and the glossary on wildlife-possession permits.

Captive-bred vs. wild-caught: the distinction that matters

A “legal” status is often narrower than it looks. Most permit states — Florida, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin among them — authorize only captive-bred raccoons from a licensed breeder and expressly prohibit taking one from the wild. Arkansas is the notable exception in allowing hand-caught animals. This matters for two reasons: first, a legal source can be genuinely hard to find, which is why states like Michigan are a “ban in practice” even though a permit exists on paper — there are no in-state breeders and import is barred. Second, wild-caught raccoons carry the highest rabies and roundworm risk and are the animals states most want to keep out of homes. If your state’s status below says “captive-bred only,” that condition is not a formality — acquiring a wild raccoon is a separate violation.

Check your city, too

State law is the floor, not the whole story. A city or county can be stricter than the state — so even in a permit state, a local ordinance may prohibit raccoons entirely — but it cannot legalize an animal the state prohibits. If your state shows “permit,” confirm your municipal animal-control code before acquiring. If your state shows “banned,” no local rule can change that. Browse every state’s full rules from our state-by-state index, or compare other animals on the species A–Z.

Frequently asked questions

What states can you legally own a raccoon in?

Arkansas allows it with no permit (up to six per household). Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming allow it only under a wildlife-possession permit or breeder’s license — most requiring a captive-bred animal. Every other state, plus Washington, D.C., prohibits pet raccoons.

Do you need a license or permit to own a raccoon?

In every legal state except Arkansas, yes. The permit is issued by the state wildlife agency (or department of agriculture) and typically requires a captive-bred, licensed-source animal, an application before or shortly after acquiring, and in some states a veterinary inspection and annual renewal.

Is a pet raccoon legal in Texas or Florida?

Florida: yes, with a no-fee Class III personal-pet permit, and only for a captive-bred animal. Texas: effectively no — a statewide rabies quarantine (25 Tex. Admin. Code § 169.34) bars transporting raccoons, so there is no legal way to bring one into a home despite older sources listing Texas as “legal” (full details in our Texas exotic pet laws hub).

Why are pet raccoons illegal in so many states?

Because raccoons are a primary rabies-reservoir species with no approved rabies vaccine, and because they are native wildlife that most states prohibit keeping as pets. Many bans are written directly into state rabies-control regulations.

Can I keep a wild baby raccoon I found?

Almost never legally. Outside Arkansas, taking a raccoon from the wild is prohibited even in states that allow captive-bred pets. An orphaned wild raccoon should go to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, not into a home.

Sources & verification

Each status is tied to the state’s wildlife/game code, administrative rule, or agency below. Where an exact section could not be confirmed to a primary source, the state is marked “unclear” or its note says “verify” rather than citing a number we could not stand behind. Last verified: 2026-07-21. Laws change; if you spot an error, tell us and see our editorial & sourcing policy.

1. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 671 — restricted animals list; Family Procyonidae “(D)”. law.cornell.edu. Primary regulation.
2. California Fish & Game Code § 2118 — restricted-species framework and permit requirement. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Primary statute.
3. California Fish & Game Code § 2125 — misdemeanor and civil penalties. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Primary statute.
4. Florida Administrative Code r. 68A-6.002 — classes of captive wildlife (raccoon = Class III). flrules.org; FWC personal-pet permit myfwc.com. Primary rule + agency.
5. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission — native-wildlife possession (Code 09.14). law.cornell.edu. Primary regulation.
6. Indiana 312 IAC 9-11-7 — Class II wild animal possession permit. law.cornell.edu. Primary regulation.
7. Kansas K.A.R. 28-1-14 — rabies control in wildlife mammals. law.cornell.edu. Primary regulation (rabies-vector basis).
8. Nebraska 163 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 4 § 008 — keeping wildlife in captivity. animallaw.info. Secondary (reproduces the rule).
9. New York Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0917 — possession of protected wildlife. codes.findlaw.com. Primary statute.
10. Animal Legal & Historical Center (Michigan State University) — Detailed Discussion of Exotic Pet Laws. animallaw.info. Secondary legal reference (cross-checked per state).
11. Born Free USA — Summary of State Laws on private possession of exotic animals. bornfreeusa.org. Secondary; note it is outdated for South Carolina (now banned) and Delaware — primary sources were preferred where they conflicted.