Chino, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- CMC § 20.21.030(B)(6)
- Permit
- Administrative Approval required
- Where allowed
- RD 1 and RD 2 districts only
- Limit
- One exotic animal per lot
- Banned outright
- Excessively large, ferocious, wild, venomous animals
Summary
Chino allows most exotic pets, llamas, alpacas, emus, only with an administrative approval in the RD 1 and RD 2 districts, one animal per lot, while excessively large, ferocious, wild, or venomous animals are banned outright.
Animals not listed in Table 20.21-1 are considered Exotic Animals and are allowed subject to an Administrative Approval only within the RD 1 and RD 2 districts. One animal is allowed per lot. Exotic animals include those animals not listed in this section, which are generally able to be domesticated such as llamas, alpacas, and emus. Excessively large, ferocious, wild, and/or venomous animals are not permitted.7.The keeping of five to ten chickens in the RD 4.5 districts requires the approval of an administrative approval.8.Chickens shall be provided a coop.9.Chickens shall be confined to the rear and side yard at all times.10.Chicken droppings and food scraps shall be properly disposed of at least once a week or more frequently if, in the opinion of the director of community development, it is necessary to prevent an unsanitary condition. TABLE 20.21-1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ANIMALS FOR NONCOMMERCIAL USES
Type of Animal Maximum Number of Animals Additional Standards Dogs/Cats Single-Family Dwelling: 4 per dwelling unit Multi-Family Dwelling: 2 per dwelling unit Rabbits/Chinchillas 50 per 10,000 square feet in the RD1 and RD 2 districts 2 per dwelling unit in other residential districts Fish and other underwater animals No limit Small birds, such as parakeets, parrots and canaries Single-Family Dwelling: 6 per dwelling unit Multi-Family Dwelling: 3 per dwelling unit
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino Municipal Code § 20.21.030(B)(6) treats any animal not listed in the city's household-animal table, llamas, alpacas, emus and similar domesticable species, as an Exotic Animal, permitted only with an Administrative Approval, only in the RD 1 and RD 2 residential districts, capped at one animal per lot. The same subsection draws a hard line: 'excessively large, ferocious, wild, and/or venomous animals are not permitted' anywhere in the city, regardless of district or approval. The rule sits in Chapter 20.21 (Standards for Specific Land Uses), adopted by Ord. 2010-05 and last amended by Ord. 2022-010, §§ 10, 11, 7-19-2022.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a prohibited exotic or wild animal, or keeping any Exotic Animal without the required Administrative Approval, is a code violation enforceable through Chino's general penalty and administrative citation provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a llama or alpaca in Chino?
Are wild or dangerous exotic animals allowed in Chino?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle exotic pets.