Can You Own a Squirrel in Idaho? Laws, Permits, and Care Requirements

Idaho sits in a genuinely favorable position when it comes to pet squirrel ownership. While most U.S. states prohibit squirrels as pets outright or restrict them to licensed rehabilitators, Idaho takes a comparatively relaxed approach — at least at the state level. Before you start searching for a breeder or setting up an enclosure, though, you need to understand exactly which squirrel species are allowed, which agencies oversee ownership, and how local ordinances can change the picture entirely.

The rules are not complicated once you know which layer of law applies to you. This guide walks through Idaho’s state framework, the species you can and cannot keep, what permits may be needed, where to source a squirrel legally, how to house one properly, and what penalties come with getting it wrong.

Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Idaho?

Idaho is one of a small group of states — along with Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming — that allow people to own pet squirrels. That puts the Gem State in a notably permissive category compared to states like California, New York, or Massachusetts, where squirrel ownership is effectively prohibited.

Idaho regulates exotic animal ownership through two separate state agencies, each with its own rulebook. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) controls “deleterious exotic animals” under IDAPA 02.04.27, while the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) governs wildlife possession under IDAPA 13.01.10. For most squirrel species native to Idaho, neither agency actively issues pet ownership permits — and neither actively pursues pet owners who keep them.

According to Squirrel Forum, Idaho issues no licenses for pet squirrels and does not enforce or go after pet squirrel owners. This reflects Idaho’s broader regulatory philosophy: the state focuses its enforcement resources on genuinely dangerous animals rather than small native rodents. That said, “not actively enforced” is not the same as “explicitly legal,” so understanding the full framework still matters.

Important Note: State-level tolerance does not override city and county ordinances. An Idaho resident living inside Boise city limits faces a very different legal reality than one living in a rural county. Always verify local rules before acquiring any squirrel.

You can learn more about the squirrels that naturally live across the state in this overview of squirrels in Idaho, which covers the species you are most likely to encounter.

Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Idaho?

Idaho is home to several squirrel species, and their legal status for ownership varies significantly. The key distinction is whether a species is classified as a non-game unprotected animal, a protected non-game species, or a federally listed threatened or endangered species.

According to the Idaho Fish and Game website, both the Eastern Gray Squirrel and Eastern Fox Squirrel are considered unprotected non-game animals under Idaho code 13.01.06 300.03, meaning squirrels of these types can be taken by any means, in any amount, and their possession is not prohibited by federal law. These are the two species most commonly kept as pets in the state.

The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is also native to Idaho. The IDFG classifies the red squirrel as an upland game animal with a state conservation rank of S4, indicating a secure population. Its game animal classification means possession rules differ slightly from unprotected species, and you should confirm current IDFG guidance before keeping one.

The northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is a nocturnal gliding species found in Idaho’s forested mountain regions. Non-native squirrel species and flying squirrels may be subject to different regulations than the native red squirrels, grey squirrels, and fox squirrels that are typically referenced in state-level squirrel ownership discussions. If you are specifically interested in a flying squirrel, read more about their biology and behavior at this dedicated flying squirrel guide before contacting IDFG to confirm its status.

Two species you cannot keep under any circumstances are the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus) and the southern Idaho ground squirrel. The northern Idaho ground squirrel was classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2000, primarily due to habitat loss. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game also designates the Columbia Plateau ground squirrel as a protected non-game species. Keeping either of these species as a pet is prohibited under both state and federal law.

African squirrel species carry an additional layer of restriction. African rodent species, including various African mice and squirrels, require ISDA permits due to disease transmission concerns and invasive species potential. This means African rope squirrels and African tree squirrels — sometimes sold through exotic pet channels — fall under Idaho’s deleterious exotic animal framework and are not legal to keep without formal authorization. You can explore the broader range of different types of squirrels worldwide to understand which species are native versus exotic.

Species	Native to Idaho?	Legal to Keep as Pet?	Notes
Eastern Gray Squirrel	Yes	Yes (unprotected non-game)	Most commonly kept; no state permit required
Eastern Fox Squirrel	Yes	Yes (unprotected non-game)	No state permit required
American Red Squirrel	Yes	Verify with IDFG	Classified as upland game animal; confirm before keeping
Northern Flying Squirrel	Yes	Verify with IDFG	Nocturnal; separate regulations may apply
Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel	Yes	No	Federally threatened under ESA
Columbia Plateau Ground Squirrel	Yes	No	Protected non-game species under IDFG
African Rope / Tree Squirrel	No	Permit required (ISDA)	Listed as deleterious exotic animal

Permit and License Requirements in Idaho

For the most commonly kept pet squirrels — Eastern Gray and Eastern Fox — Idaho does not require a specific possession permit at the state level. Idaho issues no licenses for pet squirrels and does not enforce or pursue owners who keep them. This places Idaho in a green-category status for squirrel ownership, meaning very few restrictions apply under normal circumstances.

The picture changes if you want to keep an African squirrel species or another non-native rodent classified as a deleterious exotic animal. Idaho has special requirements for deleterious exotic animals — animals determined by ISDA to be dangerous to people, the environment, livestock, agriculture, or wildlife. Before purchasing, breeding, importing, or otherwise possessing a deleterious exotic animal in Idaho, you must complete an Application for Possession of Deleterious Exotic Animals and contact Animal Industries.

Obtaining a Deleterious Exotic Animal Possession Permit involves multiple steps. Applicants must complete the official ISDA application, providing personal information including a Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, detailed facility descriptions with maps and legal property descriptions, and escape prevention protocols.

Permit holders must maintain proper containment meeting zoo standards, microchip and tattoo all animals for identification, submit annual inventories reporting births, deaths, and transfers, and report any animal escapes within 24 hours. This level of compliance is designed for genuinely high-risk species and is far more demanding than what a typical pet owner would undertake for a gray squirrel.

If you bring a squirrel into Idaho from another state, the ISDA and IDFG coordinate on the import side. ISDA handles the health certification side of imports, while IDFG controls import permits for wildlife species. Contact both agencies before transporting any squirrel across state lines to confirm what documentation is required.

Pro Tip: Even if no Idaho state permit is required for your squirrel species, you should still verify whether your city or county has its own ordinance. Do this research online or through your local animal control office — not by calling state wildlife agencies and announcing you have a pet squirrel.

Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Idaho

How you acquire your squirrel matters as much as which species you choose. Taking a squirrel directly from the wild in Idaho is strongly discouraged and, for many species, illegal. Wild-caught squirrels rarely adapt to captivity, carry parasites and disease risks, and — depending on species — may violate state wildlife collection rules.

The safest and most legally defensible route is purchasing from a USDA-licensed breeder. A squirrel obtained through proper channels should be the offspring of a lawfully captive-bred animal from a USDA-licensed breeder. Captive-bred animals are socialized from an early age, reducing the behavioral challenges that come with wild-caught individuals.

When evaluating a breeder or seller, ask for documentation confirming the animal’s origin. A reputable seller should be able to provide the parents’ captive-breeding history and any health records. Avoid online marketplaces or informal sellers who cannot produce this paperwork. You can also explore the full range of squirrel types found across the United States to better understand which species are commonly bred in captivity versus those that are primarily wild.

Wildlife rehabilitators in Idaho are licensed by IDFG to temporarily care for injured or orphaned squirrels, but a rehabilitation license does not authorize permanent pet ownership. Idaho offers residents the opportunity to become a licensed rehabilitator; to obtain a license, you contact your local IDFG Regional Office for an application. This pathway is for genuine wildlife care work, not a route to acquiring a permanent pet.

Housing and Care Requirements in Idaho

Idaho does not impose specific housing standards on owners of unprotected squirrel species, but responsible ownership means meeting the animal’s biological needs regardless of whether inspectors are watching. Squirrels are active, intelligent, and highly mobile — a small cage will cause chronic stress and behavioral problems.

An appropriate squirrel enclosure contains at least 16 square feet of floor space. For tree squirrels, an 8-foot-tall cage is required, while ground squirrels need at least 4 feet of vertical clearance. These figures come from wildlife rehabilitation standards and represent a reasonable minimum for permanent housing as well.

The roof must be made of wire mesh or solid material to prevent escape, and the floor size requirement increases by 25% for every additional animal. Standard chicken wire will not work — squirrels can escape through small spaces and predators can reach in. The ideal mesh is 1/2 x 1/2 inch or smaller to prevent other animals from catching a limb through the wire.

Each animal needs its own individual nest box, and tree squirrels require a central climbing structure with branches at least 3 inches wide. Idaho’s winters are cold, particularly in northern and mountain regions, so any outdoor enclosure must also provide adequate insulation and wind protection.

On the diet side, squirrels are omnivores. Squirrels typically eat a variety of nuts, seeds, tree buds, fruits, and insects. A captive diet should mirror this variety rather than relying on a single food source. Avoid feeding processed human foods, which can cause nutritional deficiencies and dental problems.

• Provide a large, vertical enclosure — minimum 16 sq ft floor space and 8 ft height for tree squirrels
• Use 1/2-inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire, for all mesh surfaces
• Include a nest box, climbing branches, and enrichment items such as foraging puzzles
• Feed a varied diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, leafy greens, and occasional protein sources
• Find an exotic-animal veterinarian in your area before bringing the squirrel home — not after a health problem develops
• Account for Idaho’s cold winters with insulated outdoor housing or indoor arrangements

Idaho’s landscape means your squirrel may encounter wildlife-borne diseases from local animals. Hawks, owls, and other raptors common to the state are natural predators of squirrels, so any outdoor enclosure must be fully predator-proof. For context on the raptors present in your region, see these guides to hawks in Idaho, owls in Idaho, and eagles in Idaho. You can also review animals that eat squirrels for a broader picture of predation risks.

Local and Municipal Restrictions in Idaho

Idaho’s exotic pet laws involve two agencies, permit requirements, and local rules that can vary widely. The state framework is only half the equation. City and county governments retain independent authority to restrict or ban animals that state law permits, and some Idaho municipalities use that authority aggressively.

Boise provides the clearest example. The city’s animal code prohibits all non-human primates within city limits, and also bans all non-domesticated felids, all non-domesticated canids, most rodents beyond standard pets, all marsupials except sugar gliders and a handful of others, and a long list of birds and reptiles. While squirrels are not explicitly listed in the same way as primates, Boise’s broad prohibition on “most rodents beyond standard pets” means a squirrel kept within city limits could fall under that restriction depending on how local animal control interprets it.

Ada County’s animal code prohibits all rodents except domestic rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and squirrels not otherwise restricted by federal law. This language explicitly carves out squirrels from the general rodent prohibition — a meaningful distinction that provides some clarity for Ada County residents outside Boise city limits. However, Boise’s city ordinance applies within city boundaries regardless of the county code.

Even with state permits, local restrictions can prohibit exotic pet ownership. Cities and counties maintain independent authority to ban animals that state law permits. Before investing in permits or animals, contact your local animal control office to verify no additional prohibitions exist.

If you rent your home, add a third layer to your research: your lease agreement. A landlord can prohibit any animal not explicitly permitted in the lease, regardless of whether state and local law allow it. Confirm in writing before acquiring a squirrel.

Key Insight: Rural Idaho residents generally face fewer local restrictions than those in cities like Boise or Idaho Falls. If you live outside city limits in an unincorporated area of your county, the state-level framework is likely the primary rule that applies — but always verify with your county’s animal control office directly.

Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Idaho

The consequences of illegal squirrel ownership in Idaho depend on which law you are violating. Violations can arise at the state level through IDFG or ISDA, at the federal level through the Endangered Species Act, or at the local level through municipal animal codes.

Those caught violating Idaho’s laws surrounding exotic animals can face misdemeanor violations and fines. For violations involving ISDA-regulated deleterious exotic animals, possessing these animals without proper authorization violates IDAPA 02.04.27, Idaho’s Rules Governing Deleterious Exotic Animals, and can result in significant penalties.

Keeping a federally protected species — such as the northern Idaho ground squirrel — as a pet triggers federal Endangered Species Act liability, which carries far more serious consequences than a state misdemeanor. Federal penalties under the ESA can include fines of up to $50,000 and potential imprisonment for knowing violations.

Permits issued under Idaho’s deleterious exotic animal rules may be revoked at any time if the Administrator finds violations of any of the provisions of the chapter. Permit revocation means you lose the legal right to keep the animal, and the animal may be confiscated.

Prohibited animals may be impounded by the Animal Control Agency and the owner held liable for related fees and costs. In practice, this means you could lose the animal and still owe impoundment and care fees while facing a citation. The financial and emotional cost of getting it wrong far exceeds the effort of doing the research upfront.

For a broader understanding of Idaho’s wildlife and the legal framework that protects native species, explore related guides on snakes in Idaho and squirrels as a species group. If you are curious about squirrel diversity beyond Idaho’s borders, the guides on squirrels in Canada, types of ground squirrels, and squirrels in Africa provide useful context on which species you might encounter through exotic pet channels.

Idaho’s overall approach gives responsible owners a reasonable path to legally keeping a pet squirrel, provided they choose the right species, source it properly, and confirm that their specific city or county does not impose additional restrictions. The state’s permissive stance at the wildlife level is a genuine advantage — but it only holds if you stay within the boundaries the law has drawn.