Bishop, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Dangerous animals at large
- Prohibited
- Wild-animal exhibition
- Police permit required
- Swine/pigs
- Banned (BMC 6.08.120)
- State exotic permit
- CDFW, CCR Title 14 671
- Code section
- BMC 6.08.070
Summary
Bishop bans letting any dangerous or vicious animal run at large and requires a police permit for any exhibition or parade of wild, dangerous, or vicious animals. Swine are banned. California also requires a state permit to keep restricted wild animals.
It is unlawful to permit any dangerous or vicious animal or household pet of any kind to run at large in the city, and any exhibitions or parades of wild, dangerous or vicious animals may be conducted only upon securing a permit from the chief of police.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Bishop's code does not itemize every exotic species, but Municipal Code 6.08.070 makes it unlawful to permit any dangerous or vicious animal or household pet to run at large in the city, and allows exhibitions or parades of wild, dangerous, or vicious animals only after securing a permit from the chief of police. Live swine and pigs are separately banned by 6.08.120. Above the city, California Fish and Game Code 2118 and Title 14 CCR 671 make it illegal to possess restricted wild animals (many big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, and other exotics) without a state permit. So most truly exotic pets are barred by state law, and any dangerous animal in Bishop cannot run at large.
Violations & Fines
Dangerous animals running at large may be killed to protect persons or property (BMC 6.08.080), and violations are prosecuted as nuisances or infractions; state wildlife violations carry separate penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic pet in Bishop?
Can I keep a pet pig in Bishop?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bishop
California rules heatmap·Compare Bishop to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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