Blonde Roof Rat

Are Roof Rats Legal in New York? Keeping, Breeding & Selling

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Roof Rat Laws › United States › New York

Summary. Keeping, breeding, and selling pet roof rats is legal in New York, both statewide and in New York City. The state classifies Rattus rattus as ‘unprotected wildlife,’ which may be possessed and sold without restriction (ECL §11-0917(2)); it is not a prohibited ‘wild animal’ and not on the invasive-species list. NYC’s Health Code bans only ‘large rodents,’ so small pet rats are allowed (a Class P pet-shop permit is needed only for commercial retail). Bringing a rat into NY from another state needs a 30-day vet health certificate; international movement is federally restricted.

Not confirmed by the regulator. This page is based on our own desk research; the sources we used are listed below. Last reviewed 2026-06-06.
legal note This is a research aid, not legal advice; rules change and are interpreted by local officials. Verify with the official source before acting.
National law also applies. These are the New York-specific rules; United States’s national rules (for example, breeder/dealer licensing and import/export) apply on top of them. See United States.

Local city & county rules

Local rules in some areas. These areas have their own ordinance that differs from the New York rule above, usually stricter. If your city is not listed, the New York rule applies, but always check your local code.
New York City Legal

Status by activity

Keeping / owning   Legal

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-06

New York classifies Rattus rattus as ‘unprotected wildlife,’ which ECL §11-0917(2) says ‘may be possessed, transported, bought and sold without restriction.’ It is not a prohibited ‘wild animal’ (ECL §11-0512 / §11-0103(6)(e) lists primates, big cats, canids, bears, venomous reptiles, crocodilians, not rodents) and is not on the state invasive-species list (6 NYCRR Part 575). New York CITY allows it too: the NYC Health Code (Art. 161.01(b)(14)) bans only ‘large rodents’ (beaver, capybara, prairie dog, porcupine, etc.); small domestic rats are permitted.

Sources: NY State Senate (Consolidated Laws), NY State Senate, NYC DOHMH

Breeding   Legal

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-06

No New York breeder license for rodents, the ‘Pet Dealer’ law (Agriculture & Markets Law Art. 26-A, §400) defines ‘animal’ as only dogs and cats, so breeding rats at any volume is outside it; only the general anti-cruelty rules apply. In NYC, hobby breeding is fine, but sanitation/nuisance rules (odor, escapes) apply.

Sources: NY Consolidated Laws

Selling or giving away   Legal with a permit

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-06

Statewide, selling roof rats is legal, a retailer must just give buyers written/digital care instructions for ‘small animals’ (which the law lists as including rats), per General Business Law §391-t. In New York CITY, a commercial retail seller needs a Class P ‘Pet Shop’ permit (NYCHC §161.09); NYC’s Local Law 132 (2024) banned the retail sale of dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits, but rats remain sellable. Giving rats away or private/face-to-face placement needs no permit. (Federal USDA licensing applies to wholesale/sight-unseen sales, see United States.)

Sources: NY State Senate, NYC DOHMH

Transport & import   Restricted

Confidence: Medium · Last verified 2026-06-06

Within New York, no permit is required. Bringing a rat INTO New York from another state requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) issued within 30 days (1CRR-NY 67.2); no rabies vaccine is required for rodents, and enforcement against a private owner with a single pet is reportedly minimal. International import/export is restricted at the federal level (USFWS Form 3-177; CDC African-rodent ban), see United States.

Sources: NY Dept. of Agriculture & Markets

Restrictions & responsibilities

In New York CITY, a commercial retail seller of rats needs a Class P ‘Pet Shop’ permit from DOHMH (facility inspections; integrated pest management). Rats remain legally sellable in NYC even after Local Law 132 (2024) banned retail sale of dogs/cats/guinea pigs/rabbits. Private/face-to-face placement and giveaways need no permit.
  • If running an NYC retail storefront, obtain a DOHMH Class P pet-shop permit

Forms: NYC Health Code Ch. 5, Pet Shops · Where: NYC DOHMH · Fees: Municipal pet-shop permit fee

Source: NYC DOHMH

Statewide, a retailer selling rats must give the buyer written or digital care instructions for the species at the time of sale (GBS §391-t), and keep copies on file.

Source: NY State Senate

Bringing a rat into New York from another state requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days by a USDA-accredited vet (1CRR-NY 67.2). No rabies vaccine is required for rodents.
  • Have a USDA-accredited vet issue a CVI within 30 days of entry

Forms: NY Companion Animal Import & Export · Where: Carried with the animal · Fees: Veterinary fee

Source: NY Dept. of Agriculture & Markets

Keep rats in escape-proof caging, an escaped pet rat is legally indistinguishable from a feral pest under NYC’s rodent-control rules (Art. 151), and harborage/active-rodent-signs carry fines. Never release a nonnative species.

Source: NYC DOHMH

Thinking about keeping or breeding roof rats? Start with the care & husbandry guide, try the interactive games, or get in touch about joining as a colony keeper.

Official sources

Search terms: Rattus rattus, roof rat, black rat, ship rat.

About this page
Last reviewed 2026-06-06, which is when a person last read this page against its sources. Spotted an error, or know the law has changed? Email blonderoofrat@gmail.com. And if you write to the agency yourself and get an answer in writing, please forward it. Written agency replies are how 31 of these pages stopped being research and became confirmed.
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