Can You Own a Lion in Utah? What State and Federal Law Actually Say
July 2, 2026
If you have ever wondered whether you could legally keep a lion in Utah, the short answer is no — and the legal framework behind that answer operates on two separate levels. Both Utah state law and a 2022 federal statute independently prohibit private lion ownership, meaning there is no permit pathway that allows an ordinary resident to keep one as a pet.
Understanding exactly why requires a look at how Utah classifies animals, what federal law now demands, and what happens to people who ignore these rules. Whether you are genuinely curious or doing due diligence before making a major decision, this guide walks through each layer of the law clearly and without guesswork.
Is It Legal to Own a Lion in Utah?
No. Owning a lion as a private pet is not legal in Utah. Utah categorizes animals into controlled, uncontrolled, or prohibited classifications, and lions appear on the banned list alongside bears, primates, and skunks. This is not a gray area or a matter of interpretation — the state’s own Division of Wildlife Resources places all species in the family Felidae (except non-domesticated cats) in the prohibited column.
Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is responsible for regulating the possession of exotic animals such as tigers, lions, and bears, and private individuals looking to own these types of animals are required to obtain a permit from the DWR and adhere to specific guidelines for their care. However, as the sections below explain, no personal possession permit for a lion as a pet is issued to private individuals in Utah.
If you are curious about how Utah handles other large or dangerous wildlife in the state, the American states with mountain lions overview offers useful context on how wild felids are managed across the country.
What Federal Law Says About Lion Ownership
Even if Utah’s state rules did not exist, federal law would still block you from owning a lion. The Big Cat Public Safety Act was enacted 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 law operates nationwide, regardless of what any individual state allows.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act refers to big cats as “prohibited wildlife species,” and the prohibited wildlife species listed in the Act include lions (Panthera leo), tigers, leopards, snow leopards, jaguars, cougars, and cheetahs, as well as any hybrids of these species.
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, and this prohibition is narrowly focused on pet big cats and exempts zoos, sanctuaries, and universities. If you operate an accredited zoo or a qualifying wildlife sanctuary, different rules may apply — but private households do not qualify.
Key Insight: The registration window for grandfathered private big cat owners closed on June 18, 2023. If you did not register a lion you already owned before December 20, 2022, you cannot keep it legally under federal law.
Even if your state law allows private big cat ownership, you must have registered your big cat with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) by June 18, 2023, unless another exception of the Act applies. Only 27 private owners registered nationwide. Those who registered may keep the cats they have but cannot acquire more.
The Act also has implications beyond simple possession. It revises requirements governing the trade of big cats under the Lacey Act to limit the possession, breeding, and exhibition of big cats, and 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, though some exemptions are provided for entities such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries.
Utah’s Laws on Owning a Lion
At the state level, Utah’s rules on exotic animal possession are layered across multiple agencies and administrative codes. Under Utah Administrative Code, a person may not possess live zoological animals that are classified as prohibited, and prohibited animals include, but are not limited to, the following families: Ursidae (bears), Canidae (all species), Felidae (all species except non-domesticated cats), Mustelidae (all species), non-human primates, and certain species of reptiles. Lions, as members of the family Felidae, fall squarely within this prohibition.
Certain species are prohibited for collection, importation, and possession under Utah’s administrative rules. These species include bighorn sheep, bears, coyotes, gray wolves, wild cats, skunks, lemurs, great apes, and those species listed in Appendix I or II of CITES, among others.
Utah’s rules also interact with federal treaty obligations. Federal law adds another layer: the Endangered Species Act and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) 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.
It is also worth noting that Utah’s classification system is not static. Utah reviews its exotic-pet classification lists periodically, so you should always confirm a species’ current status directly with the DWR before purchasing or importing any animal.
For a broader sense of what wildlife is present in Utah’s natural environment, you can explore resources like types of snakes in Utah, types of hawks in Utah, or types of owls in Utah to understand the state’s native fauna.
Permits and Requirements for Lion Ownership in Utah
You may be wondering whether any permit exists that could allow lion ownership in Utah. The practical answer is no — not for private individuals keeping a lion as a pet.
In rare circumstances, a person may possess prohibited animals as a “pet” if the person obtains a certificate of registration from the Wildlife Board. However, this exception does not apply to lions in practice. Lions are classified as prohibited, not merely controlled, which means the standard certificate-of-registration pathway is not available for private pet ownership.
A person must obtain a certificate of registration before collecting, importing, transporting, or possessing any species of animal or its parts classified as prohibited or controlled. Certificates of registration are issued for specific, qualifying purposes — not for keeping a lion in a residential setting.
Important Note: Certificates of registration in Utah are non-transferable and expire on December 31 of the year issued. Even entities that qualify for one must renew annually and remain in compliance with all applicable federal, state, county, and municipal laws.
Who can legally possess a lion in Utah? Qualifying entities generally include:
- Accredited zoological parks operating under a valid certificate of registration
- Federally licensed exhibitors (such as circuses) meeting USDA Animal Welfare Act standards
- Scientific research institutions with appropriate federal and state permits
- Wildlife sanctuaries that meet the exemption criteria under the Big Cat Public Safety Act
It is the responsibility of any person who obtains a certificate of registration to read, understand, and comply with the rule and all other applicable federal, state, county, city, or other municipality laws, regulations, and ordinances governing animals. Even qualifying institutions carry significant ongoing legal obligations.
If you are interested in learning about the size and physical demands of large felids, the mountain lion weight guide provides a useful comparison for understanding what caring for a large cat actually involves.
Local Laws That May Apply in Utah
State law sets a baseline, but it does not cap what local governments can do. 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.
Local restrictions can also exist in accordance with city or municipal ordinances. This means that even if you somehow qualified for a state-level exemption, your city or county could still independently prohibit you from keeping a lion within its jurisdiction. Salt Lake City, for example, maintains its own animal control ordinances that restrict dangerous animals beyond what state rules require.
Before drawing any conclusions about what is or is not allowed in your specific location, you should:
- Contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources directly to confirm the current classification of the species
- Review your county’s animal control ordinances through your county government website
- Check your city’s municipal code for any additional restrictions on exotic or dangerous animals
- Consult with a licensed attorney who handles Utah wildlife law
While your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, local laws can restrict ownership. State laws are also frequently changing in response to concerns for public safety and animal well-being, so you should always double-check for any new or proposed state or local legislation.
Utah’s wildlife regulations extend well beyond large cats. If you want to understand how the state approaches other regulated species, resources on types of rattlesnakes in Utah and types of spiders in Utah show how different classifications apply to other animals across the state.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Lion in Utah
Keeping a lion without legal authorization in Utah carries real consequences at both the state and federal levels. These penalties can stack, meaning you could face charges from multiple agencies simultaneously.
State-Level Penalties in Utah
You may be written a citation for illegally possessing these animals, which is a Class B misdemeanor. Conviction under Utah fish and game laws for a Class B misdemeanor carries a recommended $680 fine. Beyond the fine, a Class B misdemeanor can also carry a jail sentence.
The severity of the charge can escalate depending on the circumstances. If the aggregate value of the protected wildlife is $500 or more, the offense rises to a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. If the aggregate value is more than $250 but less than $500, it is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. Given the market value of a lion, felony-level charges are a realistic outcome.
Unpermitted animals may be seized immediately by the DWR, Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and Food, animal control officers, or peace officers if the person possessing the animal cannot produce a valid permit for each individual animal. Seizure is not a last resort — it can happen on the spot.
Federal Penalties Under the Big Cat Public Safety Act
Federal consequences are separate from and in addition to any state charges. Under the Big Cat Public Safety Act, illegal ownership can result in fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. The animal is also subject to confiscation, and state penalties can be added on top of federal ones, potentially leading to even steeper fines and longer jail time.
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.
| Violation Level | Charge Type | Potential Jail Time | Potential Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-value wildlife possession (Utah state) | Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $1,000 + $680 recommended |
| Mid-value wildlife possession (Utah state) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | Up to $2,500 |
| High-value wildlife possession (Utah state) | Third-Degree Felony | Up to 5 years | Up to $5,000 |
| Big Cat Public Safety Act violation (federal) | Federal Criminal Offense | Up to 5 years | Up to $20,000 per offense |
Beyond criminal penalties, the most damaging part of a conviction is often the requirement to pay restitution. Judges have discretion in how much restitution they order, but suggested minimum restitution values for Utah protected wildlife can go as high as $1,000 per animal. A lion’s market value would likely push restitution well above that minimum.
The legal risks extend to public safety liability as well. Allowing untrained people to maintain big cats in their homes not only harms animals — it threatens public safety. Lions, tigers, and other big cats are powerful animals who can easily kill or severely injure humans. Private ownership of big cats endangers those living in the neighborhood, as well as first responders who are ill-equipped to handle situations where an animal has escaped.
If you are interested in Utah’s wildlife from an observational standpoint rather than ownership, there is plenty to explore. The state supports a wide range of native species, from types of frogs in Utah and types of salamanders in Utah to butterflies in Utah and types of beetles in Utah. Utah’s natural environment is rich without requiring ownership of any animal.
The bottom line is straightforward: owning a lion in Utah is prohibited under both state and federal law, the permit pathway for private individuals does not exist in practice, and the penalties for ignoring these rules are serious. If you have a genuine interest in big cat conservation, supporting an accredited sanctuary recognized under the Big Cat Public Safety Act is the legal and responsible path forward. For any specific questions about your situation, consult a licensed attorney familiar with Utah wildlife law before taking any action.