Where raccoons are legal (examples) and what the process looks like...

Legal with a “personal pet” style permit (clear example: Florida)

Florida explicitly treats raccoons as Class III wildlife and says Class III wildlife as a personal pet requires the “PPNC” permit, listing “raccoon” as a common Class III species requiring a permit.
Process (Florida, in practice):

1. Apply online via Go Outdoors Florida for Permit to Possess Class III Wildlife for Personal Use (PPNC) (free; 2-year duration; minimum age 16).

2. You must obtain the animal from a legal source (injured/orphaned native wildlife can’t be kept as pets).

3. If you want to take the animal in public, Florida says to apply for exhibition instead of (or in addition to) a personal pet permit.

Legal with a wildlife “propagation/possession” permit (example: Ohio)

Ohio has a Noncommercial Propagating License that is required for people who permanently possess native…fur-bearing animals and don’t intend to sell/trade; it costs $25.
Ohio law treats raccoon under furbearer regulations (raccoon is explicitly listed alongside other furbearers in Ohio’s administrative code).
Process (Ohio, typical):

1. Apply for the Noncommercial Propagating License through ODNR.

2. Keep documentation showing lawful possession/acquisition (ODNR is explicit that this is a regulated permit category, not casual pet ownership).

“Legal,” but usually not as a casual pet (example: Wisconsin)

Wisconsin DNR regulates captive wildlife and makes clear that a Captive Wild Animal Farm License does not authorize taking/possessing animals from the wild—animals must come from a legal captive source.
Process (Wisconsin, typical):

1. Determine which captive wildlife license fits your purpose (often framed around captive wildlife operations).

2. Use the official application and comply with facility/standards; don’t assume “pet” ownership is the category.

Legal in limited/quirky ways (example: Arkansas)

Arkansas has been cited (in the codified regulations text) as allowing people to take certain species from the wild (including raccoon) and keep in captivity as pets, with specific conditions (e.g., taken only “with hands,” not sold/transported out of state, and “no permit needed”).
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission also emphasizes that captive wildlife rules vary by species and permits may be required—so you still need to verify the current AGFC code section that applies to raccoons in your situation.

Where they’re not legal as pets (examples)

New York: not issued for pet wildlife

New York DEC states: no one may possess a raccoon without a license, and licenses are not issued for pet wildlife.

Texas: not legal as a pet (possession is tightly limited)

Texas Parks & Wildlife’s rules treat raccoons as fur-bearing animals and place strong limits on retention/possession (e.g., nuisance take rules say animals taken that way generally can’t be retained/possessed).
Recent reporting also quotes TPWD confirming private individuals may not legally own a raccoon as a pet in Texas (and notes permit confusion).

The usual “process” checklist (works for almost every state)

1. Find the right authority: your state’s wildlife agency page for “captive wildlife,” “exotic pets,” “fur-bearers,” or “possession/propagation.”

2. Identify the category: some states treat raccoons as “wildlife,” some as “fur-bearing,” some as “game,” etc.—the permit type depends on that. (Example: Florida Class III personal pet permit category. )

3. Permit application + requirements: commonly includes a form/online portal, fee (varies), facility/enclosure standards, and inspection.

4. Proof of legal acquisition: many states explicitly prohibit keeping wild-caught or rehab cases as “pets.”

5. Local rules: city/county ordinances can be stricter than state rules (so you check both).

6. Plan for vet/rabies consequences: even if “legal,” bites/exposures can trigger mandatory quarantine/euthanasia policies in some jurisdictions (varies—worth asking your local animal control + an exotics vet before you commit).