Bellflower, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- BMC § 17.16.020(E)
- Cat/dog limit
- 3 of either per unit
- Permitted small wild animals
- chinchillas, monkeys, turtles, canaries only
- Other wild animals
- require Animal Permit, Ch. 17.120
Summary
Bellflower's residential zones ban keeping any animal beyond cats, dogs, and a short list of small pets, marmoset monkeys, chinchillas, turtles, unless the Animal Control Director issues a permit; dangerous or exotic wild animals are effectively barred outright.
A person shall not keep or maintain any animal in any residential zone, whether such animal is kept or maintained for the personal use of the occupant or otherwise, except that for each dwelling unit the occupant may keep for his/her personal use:
1. Domestic Animals:
a. Cats and dogs, not to exceed three of either over four months of age.
2. Wild Animals:
a. Bees, Honey (Apis Mellifera species only), subject to the provisions of Subsection 17.16.020(E)(5).
b. Canaries.
c. Chinchillas.
d. Chipmunks.
e. Cockatiels.
f. Finches.
g. Gopher snakes.
h. Guinea pigs.
i. Hamsters.
j. King snakes.
k. Marmoset monkeys.
l. Parrots and other birds of the Psittacine family.
m. Pigeons.
n. Squirrel monkeys.
o. Turtles.
p. Tropical fish except Caribe, without restriction as to number.
q. White mice.
r. White rats.
s. Any animal which the Planning Commission, or which the Director of the Department of Animal Control, finds is neither more obnoxious or detrimental to the public welfare than the animals enumerated in this subsection.
t. All animals permitted above shall be kept singly or in combination so as not to exceed more than three such animals.
3.
Full Breakdown
Bellflower Municipal Code § 17.16.020(E) prohibits keeping any animal in a residential zone except cats and dogs (max three) and a short enumerated list of small, low-risk wild animals: chinchillas, marmoset and squirrel monkeys, turtles, canaries, guinea pigs among them, capped at three per household. Anything outside that list, including larger or dangerous wild animals, requires an Animal Permit under Chapter 17.120, granted only if the animal will not endanger public health, safety, or neighboring property. The R-1 Low Density Residential zone incorporates the same rule by reference at § 17.24.020(F), so it governs virtually all of the city's single-family neighborhoods.
Violations & Fines
Keeping an unpermitted or prohibited wild animal is a zoning violation enforceable through the City's administrative citation process under Chapter 1.12, with fines and possible animal seizure by Animal Control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet monkey in Bellflower?
Can I get a permit for an exotic pet not on the list?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellflower
California rules heatmap·Compare Bellflower to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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