Can You Own a Monkey in Delaware? Permits, Laws, and What to Expect

Delaware sits in a legal middle ground when it comes to monkey ownership — it does not outright ban primates as pets, but it does not allow them freely either. Before you commit to bringing a nonhuman primate home, you need to understand a layered permit system, federal wildlife rules, and local ordinances that can vary by county and city.

This guide walks through every piece of that framework: what the state allows, which species face extra hurdles, how to apply for a permit, where local rules can override state law, what ownership actually costs, and what happens if you skip the legal steps entirely.

Is It Legal to Own a Monkey in Delaware?

Delaware is among the states where it is legal to have a pet monkey — but only under specific conditions. The state does not place a blanket ban on primate ownership the way California or Colorado does. Instead, it routes ownership through a mandatory permit system.

No person shall bring into Delaware, possess, sell, or exhibit any live wild mammal or hybrid of a wild mammal not native to or generally found in Delaware without first securing a permit. Monkeys fall squarely within that definition. Delaware’s regulations explicitly list any live monkey (nonhuman primate) as a “wild animal” subject to state oversight.

These animals are incapable of adapting to human companionship, and their possession by individuals as pets has proven to be a menace to emergency personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and utility workers, as well as the general public. That language, drawn directly from state code, reflects why Delaware takes the permit requirement seriously rather than treating primate ownership as a routine matter.

The permit requirement does not apply to legally constituted facilities such as zoological parks, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, licensed veterinarians, bona fide educational or medical institutions, animal shelters, or any traveling circus, carnival, or exhibit. If you are a private individual, none of those exemptions apply to you.

Key Insight: Delaware’s approach is “permitted, not prohibited” — meaning ownership is technically possible for private residents, but the permit process is substantive and ongoing. Do not assume legal silence means legal freedom.

Which Monkey Species Are Allowed or Banned in Delaware?

Delaware does not publish a species-specific approved or banned list for monkeys the way some states do. Instead, the framework treats all nonhuman primates as exotic animals requiring permits, with additional restrictions layered on top for species that carry federal protections.

Because of their status as federally listed endangered species, it is illegal to import, possess, or sell gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, gibbons, and wild populations of chimpanzees without a Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) permit. These great apes face the steepest barriers — even if you secure a state exotic animal permit, you still need a separate DFW endangered species permit for any of those animals.

Unlike many states, Delaware does not prohibit the possession of apes as pets, assuming the owner has obtained all necessary permits. However, legally acquiring a pet ape in Delaware is challenging because endangered apes — gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, gibbons, and wild populations of chimpanzees — cannot be imported for use as pets.

It is also illegal for anyone except an Accredited Zoo Permit holder to breed any species of ape, and those facilities cannot transfer primates to private individuals, to the pet trade, or to animal auctions. In practice, this makes acquiring a great ape as a private pet nearly impossible through legal channels.

Smaller monkey species — such as capuchins, marmosets, squirrel monkeys, and tamarins — do not carry the same federal endangered-species restrictions and are more commonly pursued by private owners in Delaware. If you want to explore the size differences between species before committing, the overview of small monkey breeds covers the most popular compact primates kept as pets. You can also read about types of spider monkeys to understand why that species presents specific housing and social challenges.

Important Note: Federal law under the Endangered Species Act operates independently of Delaware’s state permit system. Securing a Delaware exotic animal permit does not authorize you to possess a federally protected species without the corresponding federal documentation.

Permit and License Requirements for Monkey Ownership in Delaware

Any Delaware resident wishing to own an exotic animal must apply to the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section for an exotic animal permit. This is the baseline requirement for any private individual seeking to keep a monkey in the state.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) issues several different types of exotic animal permits, including Individual Permits, Accredited Zoo Permits, Exhibitor Permits, and Sales Permits. For a private pet owner, the Individual Permit is the relevant category.

When exotic animals are to be kept as pets, the owner must obtain an individual permit from the Department of Agriculture. A separate individual permit is required for each exotic animal. That means if you own two monkeys, you need two separate permits — not one permit covering both animals.

The application process includes demonstrating that you can meet specific housing standards. To obtain the required permit, the prospective owner must provide satisfactory proof that the exotic animal will be confined within two enclosures — a primary and secondary. The primary enclosure must be of sturdy and escape-proof construction, consistent in size, structure, lighting, temperature control, and ventilation according to the welfare standards prescribed in scientific literature or USDA regulations for the species.

The secondary enclosure must be sufficient to prevent the exotic animal from escaping from the property should it escape from its primary enclosure. It must ensure there is no physical contact between members of the public and the exotic animal, and must prevent the animal from escaping the premises if it is out of its primary enclosure.

Permit holders also carry ongoing reporting obligations. You must notify the DDA of any change of ownership immediately, of an exotic animal’s birth or death by the first of each month, and of any escape from its enclosure immediately.

Individual permit holders are not permitted to breed exotic animals; therefore, shared enclosures can only be used for sterile exotics. If you house two monkeys together, both must be confirmed sterile. You can contact the DDA’s Poultry and Animal Health Section directly at the Delaware Department of Agriculture exotic animals page for current application forms and fee schedules.

For apes specifically, all individuals wishing to import an ape into Delaware must have a DFW endangered species permit (for endangered apes), a DDA exotic animal permit, and any necessary federal permits. Additionally, all wild animals entering the state must be accompanied by a valid health certificate.

Local Laws That May Still Apply in Delaware

A state-issued exotic animal permit does not give you automatic clearance everywhere in Delaware. Each county has a separate set of regulations regarding the ownership of exotic pets, and many towns have restrictions on particular species.

The owner is responsible for determining whether the animal is allowed at their location. This involves reviewing the county code and calling your county and town planning and zoning departments. Do not assume that because the state issued your permit, your municipality has no additional say.

If you reside in an unincorporated area of Kent County, contact the Division of Planning for questions regarding ordinances pertaining to the ownership of exotic animals. If you pay city taxes, you fall under the jurisdiction of the city where you live; contact your City Hall to inquire about city ordinances prohibiting ownership of an exotic animal.

Zoning classifications matter too. A property zoned for single-family residential use may carry restrictions on keeping exotic animals regardless of what state law permits. This is the same dynamic that governs other animal-related regulations in Delaware — for example, backyard chicken laws in Delaware and dog leash laws in Delaware also vary significantly by municipality. Similarly, owning a raccoon in Delaware follows a comparable state-permit-plus-local-check structure.

Pro Tip: Get any local clearance in writing before you purchase an animal or build an enclosure. Verbal confirmation from a zoning office carries no legal weight if an ordinance later results in an enforcement action.

Where You Can Legally Buy a Monkey in Delaware

Finding a monkey through legal channels requires more diligence than purchasing a conventional pet. Delaware’s rules on breeding and importation narrow the supply considerably.

Because DDA’s Exotic Animal regulations make it illegal for private individuals to breed all species of apes, and it is illegal to import endangered apes for use as pets, great apes are effectively off the table for private buyers. For smaller monkey species, you have a few legitimate avenues to explore:

• Licensed exotic animal breeders in permit-friendly states: Breeders operating legally in states like Florida, Indiana, or Missouri may sell to Delaware buyers, provided the animal enters the state with a valid health certificate and you hold a DDA individual permit before the transaction.
• USDA-licensed dealers: Federal law requires anyone selling primates commercially to hold a USDA Class B dealer license. Buying from a USDA-licensed source adds a layer of traceability and reduces the risk of purchasing an illegally sourced animal.
• Primate rescues and sanctuaries: Some accredited primate sanctuaries occasionally place animals with vetted private owners. This route is rare and typically involves extensive screening, but it can be a more ethical path than purchasing from a private breeder.

Pursuant to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums member rules, accredited zoo facilities cannot transfer primates to private individuals, to the pet trade, or to animal auctions. That means Delaware’s own zoos are not a source for privately owned primates.

Before any purchase, confirm the seller can provide documentation of the animal’s origin, health history, and legal status. All wild animals entering the state must be accompanied by a valid health certificate. Importing an animal without that paperwork puts both the seller and buyer at legal risk.

What It Actually Costs to Own a Monkey in Delaware

The financial commitment of monkey ownership extends well beyond the purchase price and continues for the animal’s entire lifespan. Monkeys can live 20 to 40 years, depending on the species — meaning you are making a multi-decade financial and logistical commitment.

Purchase price: Pet monkeys typically cost between $4,000 and $8,000 each, depending on the monkey’s age, rarity, and temperament. Younger, more rare, and friendlier monkeys tend to cost more. Species-specific pricing varies: capuchin monkeys can cost between $5,000 and $8,000; spider monkeys may range from $6,000 to $12,000; and marmosets are typically on the lower end, costing around $2,000 to $4,000.

Enclosures: Ready-made indoor cages run between $650 and $900, while outdoor cages cost between $1,300 and $3,500, with the final price depending on size and durability. Delaware’s dual-enclosure requirement — primary and secondary — means you may need to budget for both an indoor habitat and a property-level containment structure.

Ongoing monthly costs: You will pay between $200 and $1,000 monthly for years to come, with the amount depending on the species you own. Depending on the monkey’s species, age, and size, their food bill alone could range between $100 and $1,000 per month.

Veterinary care: Regular veterinarians often cannot offer the necessary health care for a pet monkey, which means owners may have to find a vet specializing in treating primates. Health care costs can rise to over $500 per veterinarian visit or more when specialized care is needed. Delaware has few exotic-animal veterinary practices, so you may need to travel to a larger metro area. Unexpected medical emergencies can cost $1,000 to $5,000 or more.

Lifetime cost: The lifetime cost of a pet monkey can easily exceed $100,000 when purchase price, housing, food, veterinary care, enrichment, and incidentals are totaled across a 20- to 40-year lifespan. Estimated first-year totals typically range from $6,000 to $25,000, according to figures compiled through mid-2024 by exotic-pet cost researchers.

Cost Category	Estimated Range	Notes
Purchase price	$2,000 – $12,000+	Species, age, and temperament dependent
Indoor enclosure	$650 – $900	Ready-made; custom builds cost more
Outdoor/secondary enclosure	$1,300 – $3,500	Required by Delaware permit rules
Monthly food	$100 – $1,000/month	Higher for larger species
Routine vet care	$300 – $1,000/year	Exotic vet required; limited availability in Delaware
Emergency vet care	$1,000 – $5,000+ per incident	Budget a dedicated emergency fund
Enrichment and supplies	$50 – $200/month	Toys, bedding, climbing structures
Estimated first-year total	$6,000 – $25,000	Wide range based on species and housing quality

It is also worth noting the public health dimension. Monkeys can carry zoonotic diseases transmissible to humans. If you want background on one such concern, the overview of monkeypox explains the disease, its transmission, and its relationship to primate contact.

Penalties for Illegally Owning a Monkey in Delaware

Delaware’s enforcement framework for exotic animal violations operates at both the state and federal levels, and the consequences of non-compliance are not trivial.

At the state level, whoever violates Delaware’s exotic animal chapter shall for each offense be fined not more than $500 and may be imprisoned not more than 30 days. That $500 fine applies per offense — meaning each day of unpermitted possession could theoretically constitute a separate violation.

Failure to obtain a permit may result in the seizure and disposal of the exotic animal. “Disposal” in this context can mean placement in a sanctuary, transfer to a zoo, or euthanasia if no appropriate facility is available. You would have no legal claim to the animal once it is seized.

Any person keeping or possessing a dangerous exotic animal on the effective date of a new law may continue to possess that animal only if they do not breed it, obtain a permit within 30 days, and do not acquire any additional animals. This grandfather provision has limited applicability going forward but illustrates that Delaware does not retroactively criminalize existing ownership — it simply requires immediate compliance.

Federal penalties are more severe. Violating the Endangered Species Act by possessing a protected primate without authorization can result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation and criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment. The Animal Legal & Historical Center’s overview of Delaware great ape laws provides a detailed breakdown of how state and federal statutes interact for primate possession cases.

Beyond the legal penalties, unpermitted ownership creates practical problems. If your monkey bites a neighbor, a delivery worker, or a child, you face civil liability exposure that homeowner’s insurance may not cover for exotic animals. Emergency responders called to your property may not know how to handle the animal safely — a risk the state’s own code acknowledges explicitly.

Delaware’s wildlife and animal regulations connect to a broader set of rules governing how residents interact with animals in the state. For context on how the state approaches other regulated species and activities, you may find it useful to review roadkill laws in Delaware and neighbor’s cat laws in Delaware, both of which reflect the state’s general philosophy of balancing private animal ownership with public safety.

Important Note: If you already own a monkey without a permit, the safest course of action is to contact the Delaware Department of Agriculture proactively to begin the permitting process rather than wait for an enforcement action. Voluntary compliance typically results in better outcomes than reactive enforcement.

Owning a monkey in Delaware is legally possible, but it demands serious preparation. You need a state exotic animal permit for each animal, documented housing that meets dual-enclosure standards, an exotic-animal veterinarian on call, and confirmation that your county and municipality have no additional restrictions. The financial commitment runs into the tens of thousands of dollars over the animal’s lifetime, and the penalties for skipping any part of the legal framework — animal seizure, fines, and potential federal charges — are significant. If you have done that research and are ready to proceed, start with the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s exotic animals page to access current permit applications and housing standards.