Lassen County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

California's restricted-species law is the dominant control on exotic pets in unincorporated Lassen County. Fish and Game Code section 2118 and the regulations at Title 14, California Code of Regulations, section 671 designate hundreds of 'restricted' species whose importation, transportation and possession are prohibited without a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Animals barred from private ownership in California include large carnivores and primates as well as species commonly kept elsewhere, such as ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, gerbils and monk parakeets, because they threaten native wildlife, agriculture or public health and safety. CDFW issues Restricted Species Permits only to qualified individuals or institutions for limited purposes — research, public exhibition, education or shelter — and does not grant permits for private pet possession. Violations can bring fines reported in the $500-$10,000 range plus misdemeanor charges punishable by up to six months in jail. Lassen County's Title 8 animal code centers on domestic animals, dogs and nuisance abatement; it does not authorize keeping CDFW-restricted species, so the state ban controls. Anyone considering an unusual pet should verify the species' status with CDFW before acquiring it.