You can now have a hermit crab as a pet in Fairfax County without a special permit.
Before Tuesday, hermit crabs and chinchillas required a special permit to have as pets in the County. Hedgehogs were prohibited.
That all changed on Tuesday, when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors removed restrictions on the three animals to let residents keep them as pets.
Residents should know that all three require special habitats and food, so it's important to do research before bringing any of these animals into the home.
The updated list of accepted pets in Fairfax County now includes:
- Gerbils
- Hamsters
- Guinea pigs
- Pet mice and rats
- Rabbits (domesticated)
- Ferrets
- Turtles
- Fish
- Dogs
- Cats
- Domestic chickens, ducks and geese under 2 months old
- Birds such as canaries, parakeets, doves and parrots
- Worm/ant farms
- Non-venomous snakes
For more information about what kinds of pets are allowed in Fairfax County, contact the Zoning Administration Division at 703-324-1314, TTY 711.
