Del Norte County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Del Norte County Code Title 8 (the 2019 Revised Animal Control Ordinance) covers dogs and other pets in Chapter 2 - listing dog, cat, guinea pig, hamster, pot-bellied pig, birds, lizard, snake, turtle, and tortoise as animals 'legally allowed as personal property' - and covers farm animals in Chapter 3 (Livestock). The ordinance does not create a county permit scheme for big cats, primates, large constrictors, crocodilians, or other dangerous exotics, and it does not authorize keeping such animals. Because the county code does not permit exotic-pet possession, the governing rules are at the state level. California Fish and Game Code Section 2118 and California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 671 make it unlawful to import, transport, or possess live 'restricted' wild animals (including many big cats, bears, primates, certain reptiles, and other species deemed detrimental to wildlife, agriculture, or public health) without a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. CDFW does not issue permits for private pet possession; permits are limited to research, public exhibition, education, or shelter purposes. Owners of any animal in the unincorporated county also remain bound by Title 8's general duty-of-care and nuisance provisions. Verify both county zoning and state Fish and Wildlife requirements before acquiring any exotic animal.