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

Tuolumne County's Animal Control Ordinance (Ch. 04, Ord. 3311, 2017) addresses exotic and wild animals directly. The code defines an 'exotic animal' as any wild animal not customarily confined or cultivated for domestic or commercial purposes but kept as a pet or for display, and a 'wild animal' as an animal of the classes of birds, mammals, amphibians, bony fishes, lampreys, reptiles, crayfish, or slugs/snails that is not normally domesticated in California as determined by the Fish and Game Commission, plus certain rabies-capable wild hybrids.

Under the 'Exotic animals' section, all exotic animals that are required to have a state license must be registered with Animal Control on forms providing the owner's name, address, phone number, and a description of the animal, with any registration fee set by the Board of Supervisors. The code's definition of an 'animal facility' also covers premises where wild or exotic animals are harbored or maintained. On top of the county rule, California law (Fish and Game Code and Title 14 regulations) restricts importing, possessing, and keeping wild and 'restricted' animals without a permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife, so many exotic species are prohibited as pets statewide regardless of county registration. Owners should verify with both Tuolumne County Animal Control and CDFW before acquiring any exotic or wild animal.