USA State Laws (Summarized) ...

These are the laws that my research on the matter turned up. If you know of a law that may have changed, please feel free to comment, as other readers may find the information very useful. As far as I know these are pretty accurate. I have also included the departments to contact for each state and their contact information, as well as websites that may provide a wealth of information. Contacting the department in your own state is the best way to obtain recent and accurate laws on owning a raccoon where you live.

Alabama- No person may posses, buy, offer for sale, or import a raccoon into the state.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
64 N Union St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
(205) 242-3467

State Web Site: http://www.alabama.gov.
Division of Fish & Game  /  Department of Conservation & Natural Resources           (334) 243-3465

USDA  (334) 240-7255        Animal Care  (334) 396-9808   http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/al.html

Alaska- No person may posses, buy, offer for sale, or import a raccoon into the state. Raccoons are banned as pets in this state.

Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, AK 99802
(907) 465-6197

State Web Site: http://www.state.ak.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/adfghome.htm

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ak.html

Arizona- People who posses restricted wildlife must posses obtain a wildlife holding permit to lawfully own wildlife within the state. The department will issue one of these permits if you are moving into the state, and already legally own a wild animal. People already living within the state are not allowed to posses restricted live wildlife in a private setting unless they qualify for a permit. The laws didn't directly reference raccoons, so I would speak directly to a Game and Fish Department, to find out for sure.

Game & Fish Department
7200 E University
Mesa, AZ 85207
(480) 981-9400

Department Web Site: http://www.gf.state.az.us/
USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/az.html

Arkansas- It is illegal to posses 6 or more raccoons in this state. That was the only reference to owning raccoons that I came across.

Game & Fish Commission
Two Natural Resources Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 219-4141

State Web Site: http://www.state.ar.us/
Commission Web Site: http://www.agfc.com/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ar.html

California- It is illegal to posses wild animals, unless you already owned them prior to January 1992. Raccoons are not directly referenced here, so I would speak directly to the Department of Fish and Game.

Department of Fish and Game
License and Revenue Branch
3211 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 227-1305

State Web Site: http://www.state.ca.us/
Department Web Site: http://www..dfg.ca.gov

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ca.html

Colorado- It is illegal to possess most exotic wildlife, unless for commercial perposes. Though you may posses up to 6 live native reptiles, or unregulated wildlife. Raccoons were not directly referenced, so I would speak directly to the Division of Wildlife.

Division of Wildlife
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 297-1192

State Web Site: http://www.state.co.us/
Department Web Site: http://wildlife.dfc.ca.gov/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/co.html

Connecticut- It is illegal to possess potentially dangerous wildlife. Raccoons are not directly referenced, so I would check with the Department of Environmental Protection. 

Department of Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(203) 566-4683

State Web Site: http://www.state.ct.us/
Department Web Site: http://dep.state.ct.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ct.html

Delaware- All persons must obtain a permit before they can legally own a wild mammal privately.

Department of Agriculture
2320 South DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-4811

State Web Site: http://www.delaware.gov/
Department Web Site: http://www.state.de.us/deptagri/index.htm

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/de.html

Florida- All wildlife not defined as Class I or Class II, must obtain a non cost permit. I could not find raccoon directly listed under Class I or Class II, so I assume that they would qualify for the non cost permit. I would check directly with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to be sure though.

Game and Fresh Water Fish Department
620 South Meridian St.
Tallahassee, Fl 32399
(904) 488-1960

State Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.floridaconservation.org/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/fl.html

Georgia- It is illegal to possess inherently dangerous wildlife as "pets". Raccoons are not directly referenced in this, so I would check with a Game Commission member. 

Department of Natural Resources
2109 US Highway 278
SE Social Circle, GA 30025
(770) 761-3044

State Web Site: http://www.state.ga.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.ganet.org/dnr/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ga.html

Hawaii- It is illegal to introduce exotic wildlife for private use in this state.

Department of Agriculture
701 Iialo St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-0844

State Web Site: http://www.state.hi.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/hi.html

Idaho- All species of mammal that are found in the wild and are not of special concern may be kept as long as the owner has proof that the animal was legally obtained. Before bringing an animal into the state, you must first obtain a importation permit.

Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 7249
Boise, ID 83707
(208) 332-8540

State Web Site: http://www.state.id.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.agri.state.id.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/id.html\

Illinois- There are no state requirements for someone possessing exotic wildlife defined as "dangerous animals".

Department of Natural Resources
524 South Second St.
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 785-8774

State Web Site: http://www.state.il.us/
Department Web Site: http://dnr.state.il.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/il.html

Indiana- A wild animal possession permit is required for Class II animals, which lists the raccoon.

Division of Fish and Wildlife
402 W Washington St., Rm. W273
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-4080

State Web Site: http://www.state.in.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.ai.org/dnr/fishwild/index2.htm

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/in.html

Iowa- There are no laws that directly reference a raccoon, so check directly with the state Game Commission.

Department of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th Street
Wallace State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
(208) 332-8540

State Web Site: http://www.iowa.gov/
Department Web Site: http://wwww.state.ia.us/government/ dnr/index.html

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ia.html

Kansas-  Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Department of Wildlife and Parks
512 SE 25th Ave
Pratt, KS 67124
(620) 672-5911

State Web Site: http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/law/Gregs.htm

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ks.html

Kentucky- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
#1 Game Farm Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3400

Department Web Site: http://fw.ky.gov/navigation.asp?cid=200

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ky.html

Louisiana- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
(225) 765-2800

Department Web Site: http://www.wlf.state.la.us/apps/netgear/page1.asp

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/la.html

Maine- A person may posses a wild animal after obtaining a permit.

Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
284 State Street, Station #41
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 289-2066

State Web Site: http://www.state.me.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.state.me.us/ifw/index.html

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/me.html

Maryland- No person may possess or breed a raccoon as a "pet", unless the person owned it prior to May 31, 2006, and had provided written notification to local animal control authority on, or prior to, August 1, 2006, of the said possession.

Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office Building
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-8545

Department Web Site: http://www.dnr.state.me.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/md.html

Massachusetts- No person may possess as a "pet" a wild mammal, unless the animal was owned prior to June 30, 1995. A wild mammal is defined as any undomesticated animal that is not the product of hybridization with a domestic form and not otherwise contained in the exemption list.

Department of Fish and Wildlife
251 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 727-3151

State Web Site: http://www.state.ma.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/dfwpets.htm

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ma.html

Michigan- A prior entry permit must be obtained from the director for all wild and exotic animal species not listed (Raccoons were not listed),  or regulated by the fish and wildlife service of the United States Department of Interior or the Department of Natural Resources within the state. Before an exotic animal may enter this state,  The Department of Natural Resources may require the owner to have the animal examined by an accredited veterinarian to determine the animal's health, proper housing, husbandry and confinement standards are being met.

Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30444
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-9329

State Web Site: http://www.michigan.gov/
Department Web Site: http://www.michigandnr.com

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/mi.html

Minnesota- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the Department of Natural Resources.

Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 20
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-0706

State Web Site: http://www.state.mn.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/mn.html

Mississippi- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
P.O. Box 451
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 362-9212

State Web Site: http://www.state.ms.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.mdwfp.com/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ms.html

Missouri- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the Department of Conservation.

Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson, MO 65102
(573) 751-4115

State Web Site: http://www.state.mo.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/mo.html

Montana- All animals entering the state must be accompanied by a one-time entry permit and official health certificate. For more in depth details on owning a raccoon, I would check directly with Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-4039

State Web Site: http://www.discoveringmontana.com/default.asp
Department Web Site: http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/mt.html

Nebraska- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the state Game and Parks Commission.

Game and Parks Commission
P.O. Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503
(402) 471-0641

State Web Site: http://www.state.ne.us/
Department Web Site: http://164.119.102.21/homepage.html

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ne.html

Nevada- Raccoons are prohibited from private ownership, except if they were in possession prior to February 28, 1994.

Department of Wildlife
P.O. Box 10678
Reno, NV 89520
(775) 688-1500

State Web Site: http://silver.state.nv.us/main.htm
Department Web Site: http://nevadadivisionofwildlife.org/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/nv.html

New Hampshire- Raccoons may only be possessed under category 5, which is an exhibitor permitee.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department 
2 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH
03301
(603) 271-3421

Department Web Site: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/nh.html

New Jersey- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife.

Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife
P.O. Box 430
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 292-959

State Web Site: http://www.state.nj.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.state.nh.us/dep/fgw/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/nj.html

New Mexico- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the state Department of Game and Fish.

Department of Game and Fish
P.O. Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87504
(505) 827-7897

State Web Site: http://www.state.nm.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.gmfsh.state.nm.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/nm.html

New York- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the State Department of Environmental Conservation.

State Department of Environmental Conservation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12233
(518) 457-0689

State Web Site: http://www.state.ny.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ny.html

North Carolina- A county or city may ordinance regulate, restrict, or prohibit the ownership of a dangerous animal. If importing a raccoon, you must obtain a entry permit from the state Veterinarian.

Wildlife Resources Commission
1724 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
(919) 661-4872

State Web Site: http://www.ncgov.com/
Department Web Site: http://www.ncwildlife.org/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/nc.html

North Dakota- I believe that Raccoons fall under Category 5 of non-traditional livestock, which may be possessed after obtaining an import permit, a non-traditional livestock license, and/or a certificate from a veterinarian. The may require further special license which would have further requirements, established by the North Dakota Board of Animal Health. Check directly with the North Dakota Board of Animal Health.

Board of Animal Health
Department of Agriculture
600 E Boulevard Ave. Dept 602
Bismarck, ND 58505
(701) 328-2654

State Web Site: http://discovernd.com/
Department Web Site: http://www.agdepartment.com/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/nd.html

Ohio-  People who own a non-domestic animal within the state do not need a permit. People importing a non-domestic animal into the state must obtain a entry permit, health certificate stating that the animal is free of infectious diseases, and a certificate of veterinarian inspection.

Department of Natural Resources
1840 Belcher Drive
Columbus, OH 43224
(614) 265-6300

State Web Site: http://www.state.oh.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/oh.html

Oklahoma-  No one may possess a wildlife unless first obtaining a permit.

Department of Wildlife Conservation
P.O. Box 53465
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
(405) 521-3851

State Web Site: http://www.state.ok.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ok.html

Oregon- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the State Department of Agriculture.

Department of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 59
Portland, OR 97207 

(503) 872-5260

State Web Site: http://www.state.or.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/or.html

Pennsylvania- Raccoons may be legally owned as a "pet" if purchased from a USDA and state Game Commission licensed wildlife propagator. The animal must be purchased within the state and may not be imported. The receipt must be kept and becomes the permit of ownership.

Game Commission
2001 Elmerton Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 783-8164

State Web Site: http://www.state.pa.us/PAPower/
Department Web Site: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/pa.html

Rhode Island- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with the state Game Commission.

Division of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 218
West Kingston, RI 02892
(401) 789-0281

State Web Site: http://www.state.ri.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ri.html

South Carolina- It is illegal to possess wildlife indigenous to the state without a permit. (Raccoons are indigenous to this state.)

Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 734-4002

State Web Site: http://www.myscgov.com/SCSGPortal/static/home_tem1.html
Department Web Site: http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/sc.html

South Dakota- Raccoons are not directly referenced, but all non-domestic mammals must be examined by a veterinarian and be free of contagious, infectious, epidemic, or communicable diseases. I would directly contact the Animal Industry Board for further information.

Animal Industry Board
411 South Fort Street
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3321

State Web Site: http://www.state.sd.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.state.sd.us/aib/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/sd.html

Tennessee- The state does not regulate private possession of animals not listed under Category I. (Raccoons would fall under Category II, I believe.)

Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 781-6647

State Web Site: http://www.state.tn.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.state.tn.us/twra/index.html

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/tn.html

Texas- There are no requirements for ownership of animals not listed under dangerous wild animals. (Raccoons are not under that list.) I would check with The Parks and Wildlife Department

Parks & Wildlife Department

4200 Smith School Road  Austin, TX 78744 (800) 792-1112

(512) 389-4419

State Web Site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/tx.html

Utah- Raccoons would fall under "controlled" species, but i could not find any direct references, so check directly with the Wildlife Board.

Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 145610
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 538-4700

State Web Site: http://www.utah.gov/
Department Web Site: http://www.nr.utah.gov/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ut.html

Vermont- It is illegal to posses an exotic animal as a "pet", but I could not find raccoons under this section. Also any wild animal imported into the state must have filled out an application in writing and pay the permit fee of $50.00. 

Department of Fish and Wildlife
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671
(802) 241-3700

State Web Site: http://www.state.vt.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/fw/fwhome/index.htm

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/vt.html

Virginia- A permit is required to own or import a raccoon into the state. 

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
P.O. Box 11104
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 367-1000

State Web Site: http://www.state.va.us/
Department Web Site: http://www.dgif.state.va.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/va.html

Washington- Raccoons are not directly referenced, so check directly with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way N
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 902-2200

State Web Site: http://access.wa.gov/
Department Web Site: http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/

West Virginia- The state regulates native species to the state. (A raccoon is native to the state.) To own a raccoon as a "pet" you must obtain a permit.

Division of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 67
Elkins, WV 26241
(304) 637-0245

State Web Site: http://www.wv.gov/
Department Web Site: http://www.wvdnr.gov/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/wv.html

Wisconsin- Raccoons are not directly referenced. Check directly with the Department of Natural Resources.

Department of Natural ResourcesBox 7921
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-2621

State Web Site: http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/home
Department Web Site: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/wi.html

Wyoming- Raccoons may be owned or imported without obtaining a permit.

Game and Fish Department
5400 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne, WY 82006
(307)777-7735

State Web Site: http://www.state.wy.us/
Department Web Site: http://gf.state.wy.us/

USDA  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/wy.html

So, again, I hope you found the information I have provided here, accurate, informative and useful. If you find that any laws have changed, or that any of the websites are no longer in use, please leave me a comment, so I can try to find out more recent information!