If you’ve been wondering whether you can own a squirrel in Arizona, the short answer is no — and the legal framework behind that prohibition is broader and stricter than most people expect. Arizona is one of the more restrictive states in the country when it comes to exotic and native wildlife ownership, and squirrels fall squarely within that restricted category.
Understanding exactly why squirrels are prohibited, which laws apply, and what the consequences of illegal ownership look like can help you make informed decisions — and potentially point you toward legal alternatives. This guide walks through every layer of Arizona’s squirrel ownership rules, from state statutes to local ordinances.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Arizona?
No, it is not legal to own a squirrel as a pet in Arizona. Arizona law lists various rodents that are prohibited, including the squirrel family, beavers, New World porcupines, and nutrias. This prohibition applies to both native Arizona species and non-native squirrels imported from other states or countries.
A.R.S. §17-306 makes it illegal for anyone to import, transport, release, or possess live wildlife within the state. Only specific wildlife authorized by the commission or defined in Title 3, Chapter 16 is permitted to be kept as pets in Arizona. Because squirrels are not on that authorized list, possessing one as a pet is a violation of state law.
Arizona has some of the strictest laws regarding exotic animals. The state restricts ownership and possession of a variety of exotic animals to entities that have the animals for wildlife management, wildlife rehabilitation, public health, education, or commercial photography. Private pet ownership simply does not qualify under any of those exemptions.
Important Note: Even if you found a squirrel injured or orphaned in the wild, taking it home and keeping it without authorization is still illegal under Arizona law. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead.
It is worth noting that in all other states and the District of Columbia not specifically listed as permitting squirrels, you are not allowed to keep a squirrel as a pet. Arizona sits firmly in that category, with no pathway for private pet ownership of any squirrel species.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Arizona?
None. The prohibition in Arizona is not species-specific — it covers the entire squirrel family. The family Sciuridae is explicitly listed as restricted live wildlife under Arizona Administrative Code R12-4-406. Common names under this family include chipmunks, marmots, prairie dogs, squirrels, and woodchucks.
This means every squirrel species you might consider as a pet is off-limits in Arizona, including:
- Eastern gray squirrels and western gray squirrels
- Fox squirrels
- Red squirrels
- Flying squirrels (both northern and southern species)
- Ground squirrels native to Arizona
- Rock squirrels, Abert’s squirrels, and other squirrels found in northern Arizona
- Prairie dogs (also in the Sciuridae family)
- Chipmunks
Many completely harmless animals that are unlikely to become an environmental problem in North America — and certainly not Arizona — are prohibited, including tenrecs, fennec foxes, squirrels, sloths, and freshwater stingrays. Legal analysts and exotic pet advocates have noted this as a surprisingly broad restriction, but it remains the law regardless.
If you are interested in flying squirrels specifically, those are also classified under the Sciuridae family and are equally prohibited in Arizona. Some neighboring states like Utah do permit flying squirrels with a controlled animal permit, but that does not help Arizona residents.
Key Insight: The ban covers the entire Sciuridae family — not just “wild” squirrels. Even captive-bred, hand-raised squirrels purchased from out-of-state breeders cannot legally be brought into or kept in Arizona.
To learn more about the different types of squirrels that exist across North America and globally, it helps to understand just how large the Sciuridae family is — and why the blanket prohibition in Arizona captures such a wide range of animals.
Permit and License Requirements in Arizona
Because squirrels are classified as restricted live wildlife, there is no standard permit available to private individuals that would allow squirrel ownership as a pet. No person may possess restricted live wildlife without a valid permit. However, the permits that do exist are not designed for pet ownership.
The state restricts ownership and possession of a variety of exotic animals to entities that have the animals for wildlife management, wildlife rehabilitation, public health, education, or commercial photography. Those entities must have a special permit to keep exotic animals for specific purposes. A private individual who simply wants a squirrel as a companion animal does not meet any of these criteria.
The types of special licenses that exist under Arizona Administrative Code include:
- Wildlife Holding License — for temporarily holding wildlife, typically for rehabilitation purposes
- Scientific Activity License — for research and scientific study
- Zoo License — for accredited zoological facilities
- Wildlife Rehabilitation License — for licensed rehabilitators caring for injured or orphaned wildlife
Arizona introduced laws in 2021 requiring state licensing for wildlife. Several categories require permits for bat rehab, game farms, and scientific research. None of these special license categories extend to private pet ownership of squirrels.
If you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, you may temporarily house an injured squirrel under your rehabilitation permit — but only for the purpose of returning it to the wild, not for permanent keeping. Questions about exotic pets can be directed to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Contacting AZGFD directly is always the most reliable way to confirm current permit requirements.
Pro Tip: If you are genuinely interested in wildlife work involving squirrels, consider pursuing a wildlife rehabilitation certification through the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This is the only legal framework that allows any form of squirrel possession in the state.
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Arizona
There is no legal avenue for obtaining a pet squirrel in Arizona for private ownership. Because the entire Sciuridae family is classified as restricted live wildlife, no person shall import or transport into this state, or sell, trade, or release within this state, or have in the person’s possession any live wildlife except as authorized by the commission or as defined in Title 3, Chapter 16.
This means the following common routes for obtaining squirrels are all illegal in Arizona:
- Purchasing from an out-of-state breeder and transporting the animal into Arizona
- Taking a squirrel from the wild in Arizona
- Accepting a squirrel as a gift from someone in another state
- Keeping a squirrel found injured or orphaned without a rehabilitation permit
- Purchasing from an online exotic pet marketplace and having the animal shipped to an Arizona address
Pet squirrels may be regulated at the county, municipal, or local level even in states in which they are legal at the state level. In Arizona, the prohibition exists at the state level itself, making local approval irrelevant — there is no legal baseline to work from.
If you are interested in squirrels as animals but want a legal pet, Arizona does permit certain rodents. Arizona law lists various rodents that are prohibited, including the squirrel family, beavers, New World porcupines, and nutrias. This does not include capybaras and their other close relatives, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and agouti, so all should be legal in the state. These alternatives may satisfy some of the same appeal without putting you at legal risk.
You may also find it useful to compare Arizona’s rules against states where squirrel ownership is permitted. Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming all allow people to own pet squirrels. If you relocate to one of those states, ownership may be possible — though you still could not legally transport the animal back into Arizona.
Housing and Care Requirements in Arizona
Because squirrel ownership is entirely prohibited for private individuals in Arizona, there are no official state-issued housing or care standards that apply to pet squirrels in a residential context. The care requirements that do exist under Arizona law are designed exclusively for licensed facilities — not for home environments.
An individual who holds a special license shall keep all wildlife in a facility according to the captivity standards prescribed under R12-4-428 or as otherwise required under the article. These standards govern enclosure size, environmental enrichment, veterinary access, and containment security — requirements that are far beyond what a typical home setup would provide.
It is also worth understanding the practical challenges of squirrel care, even in states where it is legal:
- Diet complexity: Squirrels require varied diets including nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and protein sources. An improper diet leads to metabolic bone disease.
- Space needs: Squirrels are highly active and need large, multi-level enclosures with enrichment items to prevent stress behaviors.
- Veterinary access: Veterinarian care can be difficult to find because many vets do not treat exotic pets. Finding an exotic vet experienced with squirrels in Arizona is genuinely difficult.
- Social needs: Many squirrel species are solitary or semi-social and can develop behavioral problems in captivity without appropriate stimulation.
- Zoonotic disease risk: Wild squirrels can carry diseases transmissible to humans and domestic animals.
Common Mistake: Many people assume that hand-raising an orphaned squirrel makes it legal to keep. In Arizona, this is not the case. The method of acquisition does not change the animal’s classification as restricted live wildlife.
Individuals who own exotic animals are also liable if those animals injure another person. If your pet injures a guest in your home or someone who is legally on your property, you can be held liable for damages caused by the attack. This civil liability applies regardless of whether the animal is legally or illegally kept.
If you want to learn about squirrel behavior and habitat to better understand why these animals are challenging to keep in captivity, exploring resources on types of ground squirrels or squirrel species found across the US can provide helpful context.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Arizona
Even in cases where state law might theoretically permit an animal, local governments in Arizona retain the authority to impose additional restrictions. Additionally, there could be local ordinances banning certain pets. Therefore, it is always wise to check with the local animal control agency or city government to ensure that owning a specific type of exotic pet does not violate local rules.
For squirrels, local ordinances are largely a moot point in Arizona, since the state-level prohibition already makes ownership illegal everywhere in the state. However, understanding how local law layers on top of state law is still important for anyone navigating Arizona’s exotic pet landscape more broadly.
Examples of how local restrictions can operate in Arizona include:
- Pima County: Regulates certain animal hybrids with permit and inspection requirements
- Huachuca City: Explicitly bans canine/wolf hybrids: “Canine/wolf hybrids are not permitted to be owned, kept, possessed, harbored, or maintained within the corporate limits of the Town.”
- City of Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale: Each maintains its own municipal code governing animals, which may be more restrictive than state minimums
Just because an animal is legal to own in the state, it doesn’t mean the city you live in allows it. This principle works in reverse as well — a city cannot override a state prohibition to make squirrel ownership legal within its limits.
If you are curious about how squirrel populations exist in specific Arizona cities and regions without being owned as pets, resources on squirrels in El Paso (a border region with Arizona) or squirrels in northern Arizona illustrate the range of wild species that thrive in the region naturally.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Arizona
The penalties for illegally possessing a squirrel in Arizona can be serious. Arizona does not treat wildlife violations as minor infractions — they carry criminal classifications that can result in lasting consequences.
Unless a different or other penalty or punishment is specifically prescribed, a person who violates any provision of this title, or who violates or fails to comply with a lawful order or rule of the commission, is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. This is the baseline penalty for general wildlife possession violations, including keeping a squirrel without authorization.
At the more serious end of the scale, violations involving the import, transport, or release of restricted species can escalate significantly:
- A person who violates subsection B of this section is guilty of a class 6 felony. This applies to knowingly importing or transporting restricted wildlife into the state.
- A person who violates subsection B with the intent to disrupt or interfere with the development or use of public natural resources to establish the presence of the species in an area not currently known to be occupied by that species is guilty of a class 4 felony.
- Arizona law strictly prohibits private ownership of certain wildlife to protect public safety, domestic animals, and the environment. Violating these laws can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Beyond criminal charges, civil penalties also apply. A.R.S. §17-314 establishes civil penalties for unlawfully taking, possessing, or transporting wildlife. It also allows the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to revoke licenses and permits.
Additional consequences of illegal squirrel ownership in Arizona include:
- Confiscation of the animal by AZGFD officers
- Fines assessed per animal
- Revocation of any existing hunting or fishing licenses
- Civil liability if the animal injures another person or their property
- Homeowners’ insurance may not cover the damages if the policy excludes injuries caused by wild animals or exotic pets.
Important Note: If you are currently in possession of a squirrel in Arizona and are unsure of your legal standing, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department before taking any action. Voluntarily surrendering an animal is typically treated more favorably than being caught in possession.
In some cases, illegal possession of wildlife in Arizona can escalate to a federal criminal offense. The most common federal law applied in these cases is the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act prohibits trafficking in wildlife that has been taken or possessed in violation of state law, which means transporting a squirrel across state lines into Arizona could trigger federal charges in addition to state ones.
For context on how squirrel laws compare in other states — including states where ownership is legal with a permit — you can explore guides on squirrels in Nebraska, squirrels in Delaware, and squirrels in Alabama, where the regulatory landscape differs meaningfully from Arizona’s. Understanding the full range of squirrel species in the US can also help you appreciate why states regulate them so differently based on native habitat concerns.
Arizona’s position on squirrel ownership is clear and consistently enforced. If you live in the state and want to enjoy squirrels, your best legal options are observing the many wild species that inhabit Arizona naturally — or connecting with a licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization where you can support squirrel care without running afoul of the law.