⚖️ Where Are Sugar Gliders Legal? A State-by-State Guide

Sugar gliders are amazing pets — but they're not legal everywhere. Here's where sugar gliders are banned or restricted in the US, Canada, and around the world. Laws change and cities add their own rules, so always confirm with your state, province, and city before bringing one home.

US states with bans or restrictions

• California — Banned. California treats all marsupials, including sugar gliders, as a restricted species that can't be kept as a pet; restricted-species permits are issued only for narrow uses like research, not pets. See CA Fish & Wildlife.
• Hawaii — Banned. Hawaii's approved-list import system doesn't include sugar gliders, which are treated as a biosecurity risk to the islands' native species. See the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture.
• Alaska — Banned. Alaska allows only animals on its approved "clean list," and the sugar glider isn't on it — so the state can't issue a permit to keep one. See Alaska Fish & Game.

Australian states & territories with bans or restrictions

• Every Australian state and territory — Protected native wildlife. Sugar gliders are native to Australia, so you can't just buy one as a pet. Most states (including New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia) don't allow them as pets at all; a few, such as Victoria and South Australia, permit keeping them only with a wildlife licence.

Other countries with bans or restrictions

• New Zealand — Banned. Sugar gliders are a prohibited organism in New Zealand — they can't be imported, kept, or released, under strict biosecurity rules protecting native wildlife.
• Netherlands — No longer allowed. Since the Netherlands' pet "positive list" took effect on 1 January 2024, sugar gliders may not be newly kept; existing owners are allowed to keep their current animals.
• Singapore — Banned. Sugar gliders aren't on Singapore's approved-pet list; they're restricted over disease and wildlife-trade concerns. See the AVS pet list.

Sugar Gliders by US state

Find your state below. "No statewide ban" is not the same as "allowed where you live" — cities, counties, landlords and HOAs add their own rules on top of state law, and those are what catch most families out. Where a state is restricted, the reason is in the list above.

Legal to own in most other states

Outside California, Hawaii, and Alaska, sugar gliders are legal to own in most US states. A couple of states people often think ban them actually don't: Massachusetts lists the sugar glider as exempt (legal, no permit), and Pennsylvania allows owning one as a pet — though breeding, selling, or importing may involve state Game Commission permits. Because city and county rules differ, confirm your local ordinance before getting one.

Everywhere else

In places not listed above, sugar gliders are generally legal to keep as pets — but counties and cities sometimes add their own restrictions, and a few places require permits. A quick call to local animal control (or a search for "sugar glider laws" plus your city) is always worth it before you fall in love with one.

How to check the rules where you live

1. Check your state or province first — that's the list above. Laws change, so confirm with the official wildlife or agriculture department.
2. Then check your city or county. Local governments often add their own pet rules on top of state law, even where sugar gliders are legal statewide.
3. Ask about permits. Some places allow sugar gliders only with a permit or license — a quick call to local animal control will tell you.
4. Renters and HOAs: your lease or homeowners' association can restrict pets that your state actually allows.

When in doubt, confirm before you bring one home — it's far easier than having to rehome a pet later.

❓ Common questions about sugar glider laws