Can You Own a Lion in Nevada? What State and Federal Law Actually Say

Nevada has long had a reputation as one of the most permissive states in the country when it comes to exotic animal ownership. For years, residents in many parts of the state could legally keep lions, tigers, and other large cats without a state-issued permit. That picture changed significantly in December 2022, and if you are researching whether you can own a lion in Nevada today, the answer is more complicated — and more restrictive — than it once was.

The short answer is no: you cannot legally acquire a new pet lion in Nevada. A federal law now closes that door nationwide, regardless of what any state statute says. Understanding exactly how federal law, Nevada state regulations, and local county ordinances all interact is essential before you take any steps toward big cat ownership.

Is It Legal to Own a Lion in Nevada?

The Big Cat Public Safety Act was enacted on December 20, 2022, to end the private ownership of big cats as pets and prohibit exhibitors from allowing public contact with big cats, including cubs. This federal law applies in every state, including Nevada, and it effectively overrides the more permissive rules Nevada once had at the state level.

The law amends the Captive Wildlife Safety Act to prohibit the private possession of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species. Because the African lion (Panthera leo) is explicitly named in the federal statute, no private individual in Nevada — or anywhere else in the United States — may legally acquire, possess, breed, or sell one as a pet under current law.

Before this federal legislation passed, Nevada’s own state rules were notably relaxed. Under Nevada Administrative Code, some animals could be possessed, transported, imported, and exported without a permit or license, including all felines except mountain lions and bobcats. That state-level permissiveness no longer matters for lions, because federal law now controls the question of private ownership.

Important Note: Some older online sources still describe Nevada as a state where you can own a lion without a permit. Those descriptions reflect the law before December 2022. The Big Cat Public Safety Act has since made new private lion ownership illegal nationwide. Always verify regulations against current federal and state sources before making any decisions.

What Federal Law Says About Lion Ownership

The Big Cat Public Safety Act (Public Law No: 117-243) was signed into law by President Biden on December 20, 2022. It is the most significant piece of federal legislation ever enacted on the subject of private big cat ownership in the United States, and it applies uniformly across all 50 states.

The Act placed new restrictions on the commerce, breeding, possession, and use of certain big cat species. It bans the sale, purchase, and breeding of big cats for private ownership across the country, and restricts practices like cub petting and photo opportunities, which were the primary drivers of the cruel breeding-and-dumping cycle at roadside zoos and unaccredited animal attractions.

The law does include a narrow grandfather clause for people who already owned big cats before it took effect. In order to continue to legally possess privately owned big cats, the Act required individuals or entities to register any big cats in their possession before the date of enactment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This registration had to occur no later than June 18, 2023 — 180 days after enactment. Registration is now closed.

The Act does not allow pre-Act owners to acquire additional big cats after December 20, 2022. Only registered pre-Act big cats may be allowed to stay privately owned. If you did not own a lion before that date and did not register it with the USFWS by the June 2023 deadline, there is no legal pathway for private lion ownership in the United States today.

The Lacey Act also plays a role. The Big Cat Public Safety Act revised requirements governing the trade of big cats under the Lacey Act to limit possession, breeding, and exhibition. The Lacey Act prohibits any person from importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, receiving, or acquiring big cats across state lines or the U.S. border, with some exemptions provided for certain entities such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries.

For more on how Nevada handles other wildlife regulations, see our guide to exotic pets legal in Nevada and the broader American states with mountain lions.

Nevada’s Laws on Owning a Lion

Before the federal ban, Nevada’s state framework was unusually permissive. Nevada has some of the most relaxed exotic pet laws in the country, allowing residents to own a variety of unique animals. At the state level, lions were not on the prohibited list under Nevada Administrative Code 503.110, which meant they could be possessed without a state permit in many parts of the state.

A 2021 amendment to the Nevada statutes put more teeth into the protections the state offers exotic animals from private ownership. That amendment added big cats to a list of “dangerous wild animals” whose owners are prohibited from allowing any direct public contact. Lions (Panthera leo), including hybrids, are specifically named in that dangerous wild animal category under the amended Nevada Administrative Code Section 503.

Nevada’s state law still governs other aspects of exotic animal keeping that the federal law does not fully address. Nevada state law limits public contact with privately owned wildlife, including exotic animals, and the administrative code lists many fish, reptiles, mammals, and other wildlife that are illegal to own. The state’s framework operates alongside the federal statute — both sets of rules apply simultaneously, and you must comply with whichever is more restrictive.

You can read more about how Nevada handles related wildlife questions in our articles on poisonous animals in Nevada and venomous animals in Nevada.

Permits and Requirements for Lion Ownership in Nevada

Because the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act now prohibits new private lion ownership outright, there is no permit pathway that allows a private individual to acquire a lion as a pet in Nevada today. The question of permits is relevant only for a narrow set of exempted entities.

The following types of organizations may qualify for exemptions under the federal law and, where applicable, Nevada state licensing:

• Accredited zoos and aquariums — Facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are exempt from the federal prohibition on possession and breeding under specific conditions.
• Qualified wildlife sanctuaries — Nonprofit sanctuaries that meet federal criteria and do not breed or allow public contact may keep big cats.
• USDA-licensed exhibitors — An exhibitor’s license issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture may allow an entity to import and exhibit wildlife listed in the USDA license for not more than 90 days without obtaining a Nevada Department of Wildlife possession license.
• Research and educational institutions — Universities and scientific research programs may qualify for exemptions under both federal and state law.

For private individuals who owned lions before December 20, 2022, and registered them with the USFWS by June 18, 2023, Nevada’s state licensing system still applies. A license is required to possess any live wildlife unless specifically provided otherwise in Commission regulation, and you must obtain the license before you possess the wildlife. A license is not transferable.

Pro Tip: If you are considering any role with big cats — as a sanctuary volunteer, wildlife rehabilitator, or educational exhibitor — contact the Nevada Department of Wildlife directly. Processing time for wildlife possession licenses can take up to 30 days, and requirements vary significantly by intended use.

Nevada’s state permit system also requires specific enclosure standards for any licensed big cat facility. Enclosures must be constructed of cement or concrete at least 3 inches thick into which metal fence posts are set, with double overhang cantilevered wire installed at the top of the perimeter fence. These physical requirements reflect the serious public safety risks that come with keeping apex predators in captivity.

Local Laws That May Apply in Nevada

Even before the federal ban, Nevada’s state law was only part of the picture. Local governments — counties and cities — have long had the authority to impose stricter rules than the state, and many have done so. Many counties and cities have stricter regulations than the state of Nevada when it comes to exotic animals. Animals that are legal as pets under Nevada state law but illegal in some localities — Henderson and Clark Counties and the city of Las Vegas, for instance — include wild cats, wolves and wolf-hybrids, and most poisonous or large constrictor snakes.

Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson, has some of the toughest local regulations in Nevada. These ordinances may require permits for exotic animals that are otherwise legal in Nevada and enforce detailed enclosure, safety, and care standards.

Washoe County, home to Reno, takes a tiered approach. Washoe County uses a tier-based system to regulate exotic pets, with Tier 1 animals requiring no permit and Tier 2 animals — including large constrictors and certain exotic cats — requiring permits. Regular inspections may also be required for permitted animals. Many of Nevada’s rural counties tend to have more relaxed exotic pet regulations, but it is still important to check your local laws before acquiring any exotic pet.

According to the Responsible Exotic Animal Ownership group REXANO, 13 of Nevada’s 17 counties already had local ordinances regulating exotic animals even before state-level reforms were debated. This means that regardless of what state law says, your specific county or municipality likely has its own rules that apply.

The practical takeaway: even if a future legal change were to create a permit pathway for lions at the state level, you would still need to verify your county’s and city’s ordinances separately. For context on how local rules shape wildlife ownership across Nevada, see our guides on roadkill laws in Nevada and rooster crowing laws in Nevada.

Penalties for Illegally Owning a Lion in Nevada

The consequences for illegally possessing a lion in Nevada operate on two levels: federal and state. Both sets of penalties can apply simultaneously, and the combined exposure is severe.

Federal penalties under the Big Cat Public Safety Act:

Anyone who violates the Big Cat Public Safety Act can face up to $20,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. Violators are also subject to civil or criminal penalties, or both. Big cats bred, possessed, imported, exported, transported, sold, received, acquired, or purchased contrary to the provisions of the Act are subject to seizure and forfeiture.

State-level penalties in Nevada:

Penalties for illegal exotic pet ownership in Nevada vary by severity. First offenses typically result in misdemeanor charges, carrying up to six months in jail, fines up to $1,000, and 120 hours of community service. You will also face confiscation of the animal and may need to reimburse the state for care costs. Repeat offenses or cases involving dangerous animals can escalate to felony charges.

State penalties can be added on top of federal ones, potentially leading to even steeper fines and longer jail time. In practical terms, an individual found illegally keeping a lion in Nevada faces the realistic possibility of a felony record, a five-figure federal fine, imprisonment, and the permanent seizure of the animal.

Violation Level	Governing Law	Potential Fine	Potential Jail/Prison	Other Consequences
Federal (BCPSA)	Big Cat Public Safety Act	Up to $20,000	Up to 5 years	Animal seizure and forfeiture
State — First Offense	Nevada NRS / NAC	Up to $1,000	Up to 6 months	Animal confiscation, 120 hrs community service, care cost reimbursement
State — Repeat / Dangerous Animal	Nevada NRS / NAC	Higher, case-dependent	Felony exposure	Animal confiscation, potential felony record

Beyond the legal penalties, there are practical realities to consider. The primary focus of law enforcement in these cases is the immediate safety of the public and the welfare of the animal. If a lion escapes or injures someone, the liability exposure extends far beyond the criminal penalties outlined above. Nevada has seen real-world incidents involving escaped exotic animals in residential neighborhoods, and authorities treat these situations as serious public safety emergencies.

If you are interested in Nevada’s wildlife from a legal and educational angle, our articles on how much a mountain lion weighs and what animals eat mountain lions offer a closer look at Nevada’s wild feline residents. You can also explore lizards in Nevada and types of snakes in Nevada for legally observable wildlife in the state.

The Bottom Line on Lion Ownership in Nevada

Owning a lion in Nevada is not legal for private individuals under current federal law. The Big Cat Public Safety Act, signed into law in December 2022, ended new private lion ownership nationwide and closed the registration window for grandfathered animals in June 2023. Nevada’s own state regulations add a second layer of restrictions through the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s licensing system and the dangerous wild animal provisions of the Nevada Administrative Code.

Local ordinances in places like Clark County and Washoe County add a third layer on top of both state and federal rules. It is your responsibility to follow all local, state, tribal, and federal laws and regulations regarding prohibited wildlife species. Registration under the Big Cat Public Safety Act does not constitute authorization to engage in any activity prohibited by such laws and regulations.

If you have a genuine interest in lions or big cat conservation, supporting an accredited sanctuary or wildlife organization is the most legally sound and ethically responsible path available. For a broader look at what exotic animals are and are not permitted in Nevada, see our county-by-county guide to exotic pets legal in Nevada.