The ordinance does list humans as an exempt species that can be owned, but you cannot own a leopard gecko.
UPDATE 12/15/25: ALERT! The County Commissioners voted to ban ALL lizards, ALL amphibians, hedgehogs, and more. They chose to totally dismiss legitimate science by using false taxonomic classifications. There has not been enough opposition. USARK requested a hearing, but the Commissioners refused to allow a public hearing on this issue, even though this was a new draft. Five people stayed and spoke in opposition at the end of the meeting, including USARK’s Phil Goss, with no one testifying in support.
While the simple fact that the proposal uses fictitious and incorrect taxonomy, has redundancies, closes down businesses, bans all lizards, and more were plainly presented to the Commissioners, they chose to move forward. One commissioner said, “I don’t think this goes far enough.” The ordinance does list humans as an exempt species that can be owned, but you cannot own a leopard gecko. The “grandfather” clause requires an annual license that is $250 for the first animal and $100 for each additional animal. Owning 10 grandfathered “exotic animals” will be $1,150 annually in county permit fees. This is scheduled for a second vote on January 5, 2026.
We need animal and academic professionals to contact the Commissioners immediately to point out the unscientific nature of the ordinance (including use of “races of animals,” family Marsupialia that does not exist, and more), and responsible animal owners need to address the overreaching bans on very common pets, such as geckos, bearded dragons, tree frogs, axolotls, and more. All lizards and amphibians are banned as none are listed in the “Exempted Animals” list, which therefore bans them by default.
Meeting: January 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Lincoln County Admin Building, 353 N. Generals Blvd., Lincolnton, NC 28092
Take action and read more at https://usark.org/25nc/.
