Buena Park, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Buena Park's Municipal Code (Title 6, Animals) restricts exotic and wild animals. It is unlawful for any person to own or possess any endangered species, any exotic animal as defined in the code (the City references Section 6.04.110), or any wild animal as defined (referenced as Section 6.04.230), unless approved by the director of community development as a live animal event. Where keeping is permitted, it is unlawful for any owner or person in control of a dangerous, exotic, or wild animal to let the animal run loose about the premises, and every person permitted to keep livestock, dangerous, or exotic animals must keep them in secure enclosures at all times when not in use. Persons keeping an exotic or wild animal must post, at each entrance to the property where the animal is kept, a warning sign not less than fifteen inches square stating in both written and pictorial form that an exotic or wild animal is present. These local rules sit on top of California's state restrictions: the California Department of Fish and Wildlife bans most wild and exotic species as pets without a permit under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, and many species (such as ferrets, most non-human primates, and many reptiles) are restricted statewide. SEAACA provides animal control for the city.