What specifies what kind of snakes are prohibited by city code?

Hello everyone!

We just found out that we have to move to a new city by the beginning of next week, the city we are moving to has a "Dangerous animals" Code. Which specifies the following cannot be kept in city limits.

Lions,tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, lynx and bobcats;
Wolves, coyotes and foxes;
Badgers, wolverines, weasels, skunks and mink;
Raccoons;
Bears;
Monkeys and chimpanzees;
Bats;
Alligators and crocodiles;
Scorpions;
Snakes that are venomous or constrictors;
Gila monsters;

Technically wouldnt this be all snakes?

Any and all info is appreciated!

Thanks

i would take that as ALL pythons and boa's

Yes, this means they prohibit all constricting species and all venomous. Either snakes are one or the other. See if you can't live outside the city limits, or call the city government to see if they'll amend it or allow you a permit.

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But some of mine don't constrict?! ;)

Wow!! Got to love government wording! Best of luck!

Very poorly written city code yet sadly typical of legislators that have no clue what they're talking about. Most snakes that aren't venomous are constrictors but not all of them. You could still keep racers or garter snakes or water snakes or possibly hognoses (though some people consider them venomous) technically I guess you could also keep elephant trunk snakes or wolf snakes though I wouldn't advise it without a lot of experience. I guess I really can't tell you what I would do in this situation because that would be a violation of rule number 8 of the TOS :(

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Very poorly written city code yet sadly typical of legislators that have no clue what they're talking about. Most snakes that aren't venomous are constrictors but not all of them. You could still keep racers or garter snakes or water snakes or possibly hognoses (though some people consider them venomous) technically I guess you could also keep elephant trunk snakes or wolf snakes though I wouldn't advise it without a lot of experience. I guess I really can't tell you what I would do in this situation because that would be a violation of rule number 8 of the TOS :(

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Breaking the law isn't something anyone in our hobby should advise at all. Or do.

Apply for a permit, or move outside of the city limits.

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Just out of curiosity, what city is this? I wanted to know so I'll make sure I never move there.

I guess you could keep corn, garter, etc., but no pythons or boas.

Or hey, you could always just fight city hall to get the ordinance changed. Best of luck to you.

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Originally Posted by digizure

Just out of curiosity, what city is this? I wanted to know so I'll make sure I never move there.

I guess you could keep corn, garter, etc., but no pythons or boas.

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No you couldn't because corn snakes are constrictors. Garter snakes should be fine.

Has anyone had any luck changing any ordinances? How do I go about applying for a permit?

This topic is very interesting to me. I am in the process of getting my city ordinance re-evaluated, and let me tell you, it takes a lot of time, money and patience with uneducated people of the city...

So by all means, if anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

Has anyone had any luck changing any ordinances? How do I go about applying for a permit?

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You have to first see if a permit is available (pull your city ordinance and you will see what I am talking about). If there is, you have to go through the process that the city has mandated in order to apply and receive the permit.

There are many fees, and many inspections that have to be done, all of which, there are fees for. Significant $$$ ... all depending on your city ordinance.

tommyhil4_6 recently went through an ordeal with his neighbors trying to force him to get rid of his 29 boa constrictors. He would know the ins and outs of applying for a permit and who you would need to talk to.

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Originally Posted by RideRed12

Has anyone had any luck changing any ordinances? How do I go about applying for a permit?

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You could only apply for a permit if they have a permit system in place. It's likely that they don't. The procedures for changing an ordinance is likely going to be slightly different for each town. The best place to start would be to go to city hall and start asking questions, a LOT of questions. Also have a clear plan of what you want to accomplish beforehand. See if you can get a meeting with the mayor or one of their assistants or another elected official. It can often be confusing and can take a lot of time, but with perseverance it is possible. I know someone who worked with the city of Minneapolis for over 2 years trying to get their animal laws changed, they ended up giving up after the mayor and several of the council members lost their elections and they found out they would have to start the process over again with new people in office.

In the case mentioned above, they created a permit system out of thin air if I remember right. Contact the cities' animal welfare division, they'll know what you need to know.

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