Utah sits in an unusual position when it comes to squirrel ownership. Some national sources list it as a state where pet squirrels are allowed, while squirrel-keeper communities flag it as a seizure state where licenses are rarely issued for personal possession. Both perspectives have a basis in law — and understanding why requires a closer look at how Utah classifies different squirrel species and what the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) actually permits.
The short answer is that the legality depends almost entirely on the species you want to keep, how you obtained it, and whether you hold the correct documentation. Getting this wrong is not a minor oversight. Non-protected animals can be kept, but only with a permit, and if you cannot produce one for each animal, the DWR can seize them at any time. Keeping wildlife without the proper permits is a Class B misdemeanor.
This article walks through each layer of Utah’s squirrel ownership rules — from state law and species classifications to permit requirements, housing standards, and local restrictions — so you can make a fully informed decision before acquiring any animal.
Important Note: Utah’s exotic-pet classification lists are reviewed periodically. Always confirm a species’ current status directly with the Utah DWR before purchasing or importing any squirrel.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Utah?
The answer is not a simple yes or no. Utah’s exotic animal rules are layered across multiple agencies and legal codes, which means there is no single document that covers everything. Understanding who regulates what is the first step toward legal ownership. The DWR is the primary state agency responsible for wildlife possession, and its rules determine whether a squirrel can be kept at all — and under what conditions.
It is illegal to hold any protected wildlife captive in Utah. Protected wildlife includes a variety of species, including those you can hunt like deer, cottontail rabbits, several bird species, bears, cougars, and others. Squirrels that fall under the “protected wildlife” umbrella cannot be kept as pets under any personal-possession permit.
Ground squirrels, on the other hand, are listed as non-protected nongame mammals under Utah law. Some wild animals are not protected under Utah state law, meaning you do not have to possess a valid hunting or trapping license to harvest them. However, there are different rules in order to keep one in your possession. In other words, the absence of “protected” status does not automatically make a species legal to keep — it just shifts which rules apply.
The Squirrel Forum, which tracks state-by-state squirrel laws through direct contact with wildlife officials, classifies Utah as a state where no licenses are issued except for rehab and education, with rare exceptions for education — and designates it a seizure state. This conflicts with some broader databases that list Utah as permissive. The discrepancy reflects the gap between what the law technically allows and what the DWR actually approves in practice. You can explore more about squirrel behavior and biology to better understand what keeping one actually involves before pursuing any permit.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Utah?
Utah’s administrative rules under R657-3 and R657-3b classify mammals into three tiers: prohibited, controlled, and noncontrolled. Where a squirrel species falls in that framework determines whether ownership is possible at all. You can browse a broader overview of different types of squirrels to get familiar with the species distinctions before diving into the legal details.
Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti), family Sciuridae, is prohibited for collection, importation, and possession. This is one of Utah’s most recognizable tree squirrels, found in ponderosa pine forests in the southern part of the state, and it cannot be kept legally under any personal-possession arrangement.
The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is controlled for collection and prohibited for importation and possession. The Gunnison’s prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) is controlled for collection, importation, and possession. The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) is controlled for lethal take and prohibited for live collection, importation, and possession. The white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) is controlled for collection, importation, and possession. Prairie dogs are members of the squirrel family and fall under some of the strictest restrictions in the state.
The northern flying squirrel is also referenced in Utah’s classification framework as a controlled species, meaning possession requires a certificate of registration from the DWR. If you are interested in the flying squirrel specifically, our detailed guide on flying squirrels covers their care needs and temperament in depth.
Ground squirrels (genus Spermophilus and related species) occupy a gray zone. Utah’s wildlife rehabilitation rule does not govern the rehabilitation of species classified as non-protected wildlife, including coyote, field mouse, gopher, ground squirrel, jackrabbit, muskrat, and raccoon. Their non-protected status means they are not subject to the same possession rules as protected wildlife — but importing or keeping them still requires navigating the DWR’s certificate of registration process if they fall under a controlled classification.
Key Insight: Non-native squirrel species and flying squirrels may be subject to entirely different regulations than native tree or ground squirrels. Data on pet squirrel legality typically applies to native squirrels such as red squirrels, grey squirrels, and fox squirrels. Non-native species and flying squirrels may be subject to different regulations.
Permit and License Requirements in Utah
Utah does not issue a simple “exotic pet permit” for squirrels the way some other states do. Instead, the DWR uses a system of Certificates of Registration (COR) that govern the collection, importation, transportation, and possession of wildlife. A person shall obtain a certificate of registration before collecting, importing, transporting, or possessing any species of animal or its parts classified as prohibited or controlled.
A person shall obtain a certificate of registration before importing any bird or mammal species classified as prohibited or controlled, except as otherwise provided in this rule, statute, or rules and orders of the Wildlife Board. A certificate of registration is not required to import any bird or mammal species classified as noncontrolled. This means that if your target species is classified as noncontrolled, importation without a COR may be possible — but you still need to verify the species’ exact classification before proceeding.
A person capturing any live nongame mammal for a personal, scientific, educational, or commercial use must comply with Rule R657-3 Collection, Importation, Transportation and Subsequent Possession of Zoological Animals. This rule applies even to species that are not formally “protected” under Utah wildlife law.
In practice, the DWR’s approach to personal-possession CORs for squirrels is restrictive. Utah issues no licenses except for rehab and education, with a rare exception for education. Applications for personal possession of squirrels outside those categories are unlikely to be approved based on how the DWR has historically handled these requests. Certain wildlife-related activities require special permits called Certificates of Registration. You can visit the Utah DWR’s Certificates of Registration page for current application forms and contact information.
Federal law adds another layer on top of state requirements. Federal law adds another layer. The Endangered Species Act and CITES restrict the import and possession of many species regardless of what Utah law says. If a species appears on a CITES Appendix I or II list, federal rules apply on top of state rules.
| Species / Group | Utah Classification | Personal Possession Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Abert’s Squirrel | Prohibited | No |
| Utah Prairie Dog | Prohibited (live possession) | No |
| Gunnison’s Prairie Dog | Controlled | COR required; rarely approved |
| White-tailed Prairie Dog | Controlled | COR required; rarely approved |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Controlled | COR required; rarely approved |
| Ground Squirrel (non-protected) | Non-protected nongame | Complex; COR may apply depending on acquisition method |
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Utah
Even if a squirrel species is not prohibited outright, how you obtain it matters as much as whether you hold a permit. Picking up a baby squirrel from the wild and keeping it at home is not a legal path to ownership in Utah, regardless of the species. Typically, when people encounter a baby animal in the wild that they think has been abandoned, its mother is actually nearby. The DWR recommends that you leave the animal where you found it and do not touch it. If you have concerns or the animal appears to be sickly or injured, you can contact the nearest DWR office.
Permit pathways dominate: even in “permissive” states, legal possession almost always requires using a captive wildlife or breeder permit and ensuring the animal is legally sourced, often from a USDA-licensed breeder. In Utah, sourcing from a licensed breeder in another state and importing the animal still triggers the COR requirement for controlled species.
For species that are genuinely noncontrolled under Utah’s classification tables, purchasing from a reputable out-of-state breeder with proper documentation is the most defensible path. You should be able to show, upon request, that the animal was not taken from the wild and was obtained through a lawful transaction. Keep all purchase receipts, health certificates, and breeder documentation.
Pro Tip: Never attempt to capture a squirrel from the wild to keep as a pet. Beyond the legal exposure, wild-caught squirrels rarely adapt well to captivity and carry a higher risk of transmitting parasites and pathogens. Diseases, viruses, and parasites from non-protected and protected wildlife can be transmitted to humans and pets via saliva, feces, or urine.
Housing and Care Requirements in Utah
Utah does not publish a single unified care standard specifically for pet squirrels the way some states do for licensed exotic pets. However, the DWR’s broader captive wildlife standards give a clear picture of what adequate housing looks like for any wildlife held under a certificate of registration.
Facilities for the enclosure of animals shall be constructed and maintained to provide sufficient space and to allow each animal adequate freedom of movement to make normal postural and social adjustments. The facility area shall be large enough and constructed in such a manner to allow the animal proper and adequate exercise as is characteristic to each animal’s natural behavior and physical need.
Facilities for digging or burrowing animals shall have secure safe floors below materials supplied for such digging or burrowing activity. Animals which naturally climb shall be provided with safe and adequate climbing apparatus. Since squirrels are natural climbers, a tall enclosure with branches, ropes, or platforms is not optional — it is the standard the DWR expects.
Beyond the enclosure itself, consider these practical care elements:
- Diet: Squirrels need a varied diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. A diet of only sunflower seeds or peanuts leads to calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease.
- Veterinary access: Finding a vet experienced with exotic rodents in Utah can be challenging. Confirm availability before acquiring any animal.
- Enrichment: Squirrels are highly active and intelligent. Without adequate stimulation — foraging opportunities, gnawing materials, and space to run — they develop stress behaviors.
- Temperature: Utah’s climate varies significantly across elevations. Indoor housing with temperature regulation is standard for captive squirrels.
If you are researching what squirrels eat in the wild to better replicate their natural diet, our article on animals that eat squirrels also touches on their ecological role and natural foraging habits. For plants to avoid in your yard if you do keep a squirrel outdoors in an enclosure, see our guide on plants that repel squirrels.
When applying for a COR that involves housing wildlife, the DWR application process for controlled species typically requires you to describe your housing setup in writing. The application must include the address where the animals will be housed, written verification from the local governmental entity that the activity requested is consistent with their ordinances, and a description of the facilities and equipment to be utilized in housing the animals.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Utah
State law sets the minimum rules for exotic pet ownership in Utah, but cities and counties can go further. State law sets the floor for exotic pet ownership in Utah, but it does not set the ceiling. Cities and counties can — and frequently do — impose restrictions that go further than what the DWR allows statewide.
Just because an animal is legal to own in the state does not mean the city you live in allows it. Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep, and which are not. Consider checking with your local city and/or county for their regulations regarding what pets you can and cannot own.
Holladay, Utah, for example, requires an exotic animal permit at the city level in addition to any state documentation. It is unlawful for any person to own or keep an exotic animal without a permit. Unless prohibited by land use or other ordinances or laws, any person over the age of eighteen may obtain an exotic animal permit upon demonstrating sufficient knowledge of the species to provide adequate care, presenting proof of adequate caging appropriate for the species, and presenting proof that the animal poses no threat to the health and safety of the community in the event of an escape.
It is your responsibility to comply with all local laws, ordinances, and covenants before importing or possessing live wildlife. This responsibility falls entirely on the owner — not on the seller, the breeder, or the DWR. Check with your city and county animal control or planning office before you commit to acquiring any squirrel.
If you are curious about other wildlife that shares Utah’s landscape, our guides on hawks in Utah, owls in Utah, and snakes in Utah provide useful context on the state’s native fauna and the DWR’s general management approach.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Utah
Utah takes unpermitted wildlife possession seriously, and the consequences go beyond a simple fine. Unpermitted animals may be seized immediately if the person possessing the animal cannot produce a valid permit for each individual animal. You may be given a citation for illegally possessing these animals, which is a Class B misdemeanor.
A Class B misdemeanor in Utah can carry up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, though outcomes vary based on circumstances and prior history. More immediately, the animal itself is subject to seizure at any time. These non-protected animals can be kept only with a permit, and if you cannot provide one for each animal, the DWR can seize them at any time.
Seizure does not guarantee the animal’s survival. In strictly regulated states, seizures, euthanasia, or legal action are known outcomes — as illustrated by New York’s “Peanut” case. Utah’s designation as a seizure state by the Squirrel Forum reflects a documented pattern of enforcement, not just a theoretical risk. The Utah DWR has publicly reminded residents that keeping wildlife without proper authorization is illegal and that officers will act on reports.
Beyond state penalties, federal violations are possible if the species involved is covered by the Endangered Species Act or CITES. Federal wildlife charges carry significantly higher penalties than state misdemeanors and are prosecuted separately.
Common Mistake: Assuming that because a squirrel was “just a baby found outside,” keeping it is legally defensible. Utah law does not provide a good-Samaritan exemption for keeping wildlife. If you find an injured or orphaned squirrel, contact the nearest DWR office rather than attempting to care for it yourself.
If you are drawn to Utah’s wildlife more broadly, exploring the state’s native species through observation rather than ownership is a rewarding and legally uncomplicated alternative. Our guides on butterflies in Utah, frogs in Utah, and doves in Utah are good starting points. For those interested in squirrels specifically from a naturalist perspective, our articles on squirrels in Canada and squirrels in Africa highlight the remarkable diversity of the family Sciuridae worldwide.
The bottom line in Utah is straightforward: legal squirrel ownership is possible in theory for certain non-prohibited species, but the DWR rarely approves personal-possession certificates for squirrels outside of rehabilitation and education contexts. Before you pursue any path toward ownership, review the Utah Administrative Code R657-3 and the Don’t Let It Loose Utah pet regulations guide, then contact the DWR directly through official channels to confirm the current classification of the specific species you are considering.