Pet Raccoon Legal States 2026

States Where Pet Raccoons Are Legal

Several states legally allow raccoon ownership. These include Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Even in these states, ownership is often regulated. Local laws may impose additional restrictions, and many states require permits or specific conditions, so it’s important to verify both state and local requirements before acquiring a raccoon.

States Where Pet Raccoons Require a Permit

Many states that allow raccoon ownership require a permit or license. These include Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Permit requirements typically include secure enclosures, appropriate care standards, and compliance with state wildlife regulations. In many cases, raccoons must be obtained from licensed breeders, and inspections or documentation may be required to maintain legal ownership.

States Where Pet Raccoons Are Illegal

Most U.S. states prohibit keeping raccoons as pets, typically classifying them as native wildlife or restricting their possession under wildlife laws. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

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.

States Where Pet Raccoon Ownership Is Not Practically Possible

In some states, raccoon ownership may appear legal on paper but is not realistically achievable due to regulatory barriers. These include Michigan and Missouri.

In both states, legal ownership typically requires obtaining a raccoon from a USDA-licensed breeder, but no such breeders are available and importation is restricted. As a result, there is no practical legal pathway for private ownership.