Species Guide · Updated January 2025
Monitor Lizard Ownership Laws by State (2025)
Monitor lizards are broadly legal for common pet species in most US states, but specific species carry additional restrictions. Here is what you need to know by species and by state.
Overview: Monitor Lizard Ownership Laws
Monitor lizards (family Varanidae) encompass over 80 species, ranging from the diminutive Ackie monitor (about 2 feet) to the Komodo dragon (up to 10 feet). The legal picture for monitor lizard ownership depends significantly on which species you are considering and which state you are in.
Species Matter: Not All Monitors Are Treated Equally
For most of the commonly kept pet monitor species — savannah monitors, acanthurus monitors, Nile monitors, and Ackie monitors — the regulatory picture is relatively permissive in most US states. However, specific species carry additional restrictions:
- Komodo dragons are CITES Appendix I listed and cannot be legally possessed by private individuals without extraordinary permits — effectively, they are off-limits except for accredited zoos.
- Nile monitors are banned in Florida specifically due to established invasive feral populations in South Florida.
- Water monitors (Varanus salvator) may require documentation of legal origin due to CITES Appendix II listing and import controls.
State-by-State Status (Common Pet Species)
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | Permit | Most monitors require a Class II or III license; Nile monitors banned due to invasive population concerns |
| Georgia | Permit | Wild animal license required from GA DNR for monitor lizards above a certain size |
| Hawaii | Banned | All non-native reptiles banned |
| California | Permit | Most monitor species are legal in CA with no permit; verify species-specific rules with CDFW |
| Most states | Legal | Common pet monitor species are legal in most states with no permit required. Verify species-specific rules. |