Pet Owl Legal States 2026

Federal Law on Pet Owls

Most owl species in the United States are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to own native owls as pets without federal authorization.

As a result, even in states where owl ownership may be allowed, restrictions still apply. In most cases, only non-native owl species can be legally kept, and federal law overrides state-level permissions.

States Where Pet Owls Are Legal

Utah is the only state in the dataset where pet owl ownership is legal without a state-level permit.

Even in Utah, local laws may still apply. Counties and cities can impose their own restrictions on wildlife and exotic animal ownership, so it’s important to verify local regulations before acquiring an owl.

States Where Pet Owls Require a Permit

A small number of states allow owl ownership but require a permit or license. These include Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Permit requirements typically include secure enclosures, appropriate care standards, and compliance with state wildlife regulations. In some cases, inspections or documentation may be required to maintain legal ownership.

States Where Pet Owls Are Illegal

Most U.S. states prohibit keeping owls as pets, typically due to federal protections and state wildlife laws. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

In these jurisdictions, private ownership is not allowed regardless of permitting, with limited exceptions generally reserved for licensed facilities such as wildlife rehabilitation centers, research institutions, or educational organizations.