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

Placer County regulates exotic animals primarily through zoning Section 17.56.050. Animals that are carnivorous, poisonous, or not native to North America, and that are not otherwise listed in the code, are classified as 'zoo animals' under Subsection (F)(15). For carnivorous and/or poisonous animals, or animals the Planning Director determines to be potentially dangerous to people in the vicinity, keeping is permitted only after a Minor Use Permit is first obtained. Separately, under the household-pets provision (Subsection (F)(10)(a)), an Administrative Review Permit is required for the keeping of carnivorous animals other than dogs, cats, and non-poisonous reptiles and amphibians. Imported and exotic birds may also require approval from federal and state agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Food and Agriculture. On top of County zoning, California restricted-species law (Fish & Game Code Section 2118 and Title 14 CCR Section 671) prohibits private possession of many wild and exotic animals statewide - including most non-domestic cats, bears, primates, and certain reptiles - and generally requires a state permit that is not issued for ordinary pet-keeping. The County Code defines a regulated 'animal' as a domesticated animal, so exotic species fall outside ordinary pet allowances and into these permit and state-law frameworks.