Carson does not have an exotic-pet ordinance of its own. Exotic-animal possession is controlled by California Fish & Game Code §2118 and 14 CCR §671, which prohibit private possession of a broad list of restricted wildlife (primates, most carnivores, crocodilians, venomous reptiles, large constrictors, wild felines, etc.) without a state permit. LA County Code Title 10 reinforces this by banning the keeping of wild, dangerous, or exotic animals in residential areas.
Cal. Fish & Game Code §2118 makes it unlawful to 'import, transport, possess, or release alive into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit' any animal on California's restricted species list. The implementing regulation, 14 CCR §671, lists the restricted species in detail — broadly including all nonhuman primates; most marsupials; most rodents (capybara, prairie dogs); most carnivores (foxes, raccoons, skunks, wild cats including servals, all bears); ungulates; all crocodilians; large constrictor snakes; venomous reptiles; piranhas; gars; and certain birds (crows, jays, starlings). Domesticated species explicitly exempted include dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and most pet-trade species of ferret (although ferrets remain banned statewide separately). LA County Code Title 10 reinforces these prohibitions by classifying the keeping of any 'wild, dangerous or exotic animal' in residential zones as a public nuisance subject to seizure and abatement. Carson's lack of an Agricultural or zoo overlay zone means no commercial exotic-animal facility could be permitted on a typical lot. Federal Animal Welfare Act licensing through USDA-APHIS also applies for exhibitors and dealers.
Possession of a restricted species without a state permit is a misdemeanor under Cal. F&G Code §2125 — punishable by a fine of $500 to $10,000 and up to six months in jail; the animal is subject to seizure. LA County animal nuisance citations in Carson begin as infractions ($100/$200/$500 per Cal. Gov. Code §36900) and can escalate to misdemeanor charges. Federal AWA violations carry additional civil penalties.
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