San Mateo County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Exotic and wild animals in unincorporated San Mateo County are governed by the County Ordinance Code, Title 6, Chapter 6.08 (Exotic Animals). Section 6.08.020 defines an 'exotic animal' to include members of Class Aves such as hawks, eagles, ostriches and emus; members of the Order Carnivora other than domestic dogs and cats, specifically the Family Felidae (such as ocelots, margays, lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cougars) and the Family Canidae (such as wolves, dingos, coyotes and jackals); primates; elephants; and any species of animal that is venomous to human beings. Section 6.08.030 provides that no person shall own or keep any exotic animal without first applying to and receiving a use permit from the Planning and Building Department. PHS/SPCA notes that complaints about illegal or exotic animals are referred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or local code enforcement, reflecting that state wildlife law also restricts the possession of many native and non-native wild species independent of the County permit. Because the County folded Planning and Building regulations into a new Title 8 Development Code in late 2024, an applicant should confirm the current permit process with the Planning and Building Department, but the underlying requirement to obtain a use permit before keeping an exotic animal remains.