If you’ve been wondering whether you can keep a monkey as a pet in Maine, the short answer is no — not as a companion animal. Maine is one of a significant number of states that explicitly prohibits private primate ownership, and the law leaves very little room for exceptions. Before you explore the idea further, it’s worth understanding exactly what the statutes say, where the narrow exceptions exist, and what happens if you ignore the rules.
Maine’s approach to exotic animal ownership is more restrictive than many people expect. The state controls not just what you can keep, but also what you can import, breed, or release. Understanding the full picture can save you from serious legal and financial consequences.
Is It Legal to Own a Monkey in Maine?
It is not legal to keep monkeys as pets in Maine. The state treats primates as restricted wildlife, meaning possession requires a valid state license — and for almost every private individual, that license simply does not exist.
Maine’s exotic pet law prohibits keeping wildlife in captivity, as well as importing, breeding, or releasing wildlife into the wild. Exceptions apply for a person holding a valid license, but there is no license given for possession of an ape or any primate as a pet.
The accompanying regulations for General Wildlife Possession permits provide that “no primate shall be permitted under this Part, except for purposes of therapeutic, emotional, or handicapped aid.” That language is narrow and specific. If you want a monkey simply as a companion animal, you do not qualify.
Important Note: Maine law is governed by Maine Revised Statutes Title 12, Sections 12151–12161, and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) Chapter 7 regulations. Always consult the MDIFW or a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation, as regulations can be updated.
Which Monkey Species Are Allowed or Banned in Maine
Maine’s regulations do not grant blanket permission to any monkey species for general pet ownership. A permit is required to own most wild birds or animals in Maine, and several species are explicitly not allowed, including monkey. That single word — “monkey” — covers the broad category of non-human primates kept as pets.
There is one species-specific carve-out in the regulations. Under the Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 7, Section 137-7-12, capuchin monkeys — primates in the genus Cebus and Sapajus — may be possessed by individuals, but only if specific conditions are met. This is not a general pet permit; it is a narrow therapeutic-use exception.
All other monkey species — marmosets, tamarins, squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, macaques, and others — have no pathway to private possession in Maine. Great apes such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans fall under the same restrictive framework. While Maine does not explicitly ban the private possession of great apes by name, the state only issues licenses to keep apes to a select few, and the state controls possession and importation of great apes under its exotic pet law and accompanying regulations.
If you’re interested in learning about small primate species that are kept as pets elsewhere in the country, our guide to small monkey breeds covers the most common options and their care requirements. You can also read about types of spider monkeys to understand why these animals have particularly complex needs in captivity.
Permit and License Requirements for Monkey Ownership in Maine
For the narrow group of individuals who may qualify — those with documented mobility impairments requiring primate assistance — the permit process is demanding. The applicant must demonstrate a legitimate need for physical aid from a primate, and the animal in question must be specifically trained for such purposes, or the applicant must be providing foster care or training for the primate under the direction or supervision of a recognized authority.
The animal must be supplied by, or approved by, a recognized institution or organization specializing in such use of primates. You cannot simply purchase a capuchin from a private breeder and then apply for a permit after the fact. The approval process comes first.
The primate must be vaccinated and prevented from direct contact with the public at all times if physical injury or disease transmission may occur. This requirement reflects the genuine public health dimension of primate ownership — an issue discussed further in our article on monkeypox and its relationship to primate contact.
Maine’s Chapter 7 regulations govern the keeping of captive wildlife broadly. A permit is generally required for importation, possession, propagation, rehabilitation, and exhibition of wildlife in the state. Wildlife held in captivity must be confined, contained, controlled, and sheltered in such a way as to protect it and to protect the property of others and the health and safety of the public.
Pro Tip: To apply for a wildlife possession permit in Maine, contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife directly at maine.gov/ifw. Do not import or take possession of any primate before receiving written permit approval — doing so is a violation regardless of your intent.
A Wildlife or Fish Importation Permit is required from the Commissioner before any species not listed as “unrestricted” is transported or brought into the State of Maine. This applies even if you already own a monkey legally in another state. Crossing the Maine border with a primate without proper authorization is itself a violation.
Local Laws That May Still Apply in Maine
State law sets the floor, but it does not prevent Maine municipalities from adding their own restrictions. Even if you somehow qualified for a state-level permit, your city or town may have separate ordinances that prohibit exotic animals — including primates — within municipal limits.
Homeowners associations can also impose their own rules that go beyond state and local law. If you rent, your landlord’s lease agreement almost certainly prohibits exotic animals, and a monkey would fall squarely into that category.
Maine’s dog leash laws and local animal control ordinances give a sense of how actively municipalities regulate animal ownership at the local level. You can review dog leash laws in Maine as one example of how local rules layer on top of state statutes. The same principle applies to exotic animals — always check with your town or city’s animal control office before assuming state law is the only authority that matters.
Federal law also plays a role. The Endangered Species Act, enforced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, restricts the trade and possession of many primate species regardless of what any individual state permits. If a species is listed as threatened or endangered, federal protections apply on top of Maine’s rules.
Where You Can Legally Buy a Monkey in Maine
For the overwhelming majority of Maine residents, there is nowhere to legally buy a monkey for personal ownership — because personal ownership is not permitted. There is no federal regulation on primate ownership, so the restriction comes entirely from state law, but Maine’s law is clear.
The only individuals who could potentially acquire a capuchin monkey legally in Maine are those who qualify under the therapeutic-aid exception. In that case, the permit holder must demonstrate a legitimate need for the physical or emotional aid from a primate, and the animal must be specifically trained for such purposes. The primate must be supplied by or approved by a recognized institution or organization that specializes in such use of primates. Organizations like Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers are an example of the type of recognized institution the regulation references.
Attempting to purchase a monkey through online classifieds, private breeders in other states, or informal networks and then bring it into Maine is a legal violation at multiple points — importation without a permit, possession without a license, and potentially federal wildlife trafficking laws if the species is protected.
Maine also prohibits raccoons as pets under similar wildlife possession restrictions. If you’re curious about how the state handles other unusual animals, our article on whether it’s legal to own a raccoon in Maine walks through a comparable framework.
What It Actually Costs to Own a Monkey in Maine
Even setting aside the legal barriers, the financial reality of primate ownership is significant. While no legal market for pet monkeys exists in Maine, understanding the costs helps explain why these animals are regulated so strictly — and why even states that allow them often see owners surrender their animals.
Capuchin monkeys, the only species with any pathway to permitted possession in Maine, typically sell for between $5,000 and $10,000 from specialized primate facilities. Marmosets and tamarins — which have no legal pathway in Maine — are often listed in the $1,500–$4,000 range in states where they are permitted.
Ongoing costs are where primate ownership becomes genuinely burdensome. A primate-experienced veterinarian is not easy to find in Maine, and exotic animal veterinary care commands premium rates. Annual veterinary costs for a small monkey can run $1,000–$3,000 or more, and that figure climbs sharply if the animal develops health problems. Monkeys can live for up to 40 years, meaning you are committing to decades of specialized care, housing, and enrichment.
Enclosure requirements alone are substantial. Maine’s regulations specify that for one to three animals, the cage must be at least 4 feet long by 5 feet wide by 5 feet high. For colonies of up to 15 monkeys, the cage must be 12 feet long by 8 feet wide by 6 feet high. Building or purchasing a compliant enclosure can easily cost several thousand dollars before the animal ever arrives.
Diet, enrichment toys, temperature control, and liability insurance add further to the total. Monkeys can be territorial and possessive and can transmit diseases, making them potentially dangerous animals. Some homeowner’s insurance policies will not cover injuries caused by exotic animals, which means you may need a separate liability policy.
Key Insight: The true lifetime cost of keeping a small monkey — factoring in purchase price, enclosure, veterinary care, diet, and enrichment over a 20–40 year lifespan — can easily exceed $100,000. This is one reason many primates end up surrendered to sanctuaries when owners can no longer manage the commitment.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Monkey in Maine
Maine takes wildlife possession violations seriously, and the consequences escalate with repeat offenses. If you are caught keeping a monkey without a valid permit, you face both civil and criminal exposure.
For a first violation, penalties for violations of Maine’s exotic pet law incur fines of not less than $100 but not more than $500. That may sound modest, but each day of ongoing illegal possession can be treated as a separate violation under certain provisions of the statute.
Three or more such violations within a five-year period are considered to be a Class E criminal offense under Maine Revised Statutes Title 12, Section 12151. A Class E crime in Maine is the lowest level of criminal offense, but it still carries potential jail time of up to six months and fines up to $1,000 — and it creates a criminal record.
The consequences go beyond fines. The department may seize fish or wildlife in accordance with state statutes from a person who violates the possession prohibition. That means the animal you purchased, bonded with, and invested thousands of dollars in can be confiscated. Seized primates are typically transferred to licensed sanctuaries or facilities — not returned to the owner.
Escaped animals carry their own penalty structure. A person who allows an unpermitted animal to escape and does not immediately notify a law enforcement officer commits a Class D crime — a more serious offense than a standard possession violation, carrying potential jail time of up to one year.
If the animal causes injury or illness to another person, you may also face civil liability under Maine tort law, separate from any criminal penalties. Monkeys can transmit diseases, and a bite or scratch incident involving an unvaccinated primate could result in significant legal and medical costs for both parties.
Maine’s wildlife laws apply uniformly. Whether you’re a first-time exotic animal enthusiast or someone who has kept primates in another state, the rules are the same once you are within Maine’s borders. For context on how the state handles other wildlife regulations, see our articles on venomous animals in Maine and types of snakes in Maine, both of which touch on related possession and encounter rules.
If you’re drawn to Maine’s wildlife more broadly, the state has a rich natural environment worth exploring on its own terms. Our guides to hawks in Maine, butterflies in Maine, and frogs in Maine highlight the remarkable native species that thrive here — no permit required to observe them.