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

1 of the Lake County Code makes it unlawful to possess or maintain any animal "not normally domesticated in the United States," expressly naming lions, tigers, bears, nonhuman primates, wolves, cougars, ocelots, wildcats, skunks, and venomous snakes, regardless of how tame the individual animal is, unless the Director has issued a wild animal permit. The same section absolutely prohibits the sale, possession for sale, importation, or breeding of a wild animal, and bars issuing a permit for any of those activities; birds, small rodents, and nonpoisonous reptiles used for education or as pets fall outside the article entirely.

2 requires a $100 non-refundable application fee, limits a permit to one year with annual renewal, adds a $10 penalty fee for late renewal, and lets the Director inspect the animal and premises before and after issuance; permits are non-transferable. 3 requires a veterinarian's certification of good health and inoculation at application and again every six months. 4 lets the Director, with Board of Supervisors approval, set further rules on caging, location, and sanitation. 5 exempts legally operated zoos, circuses, and recognized research or educational institutions unless the Director finds a specific public-health hazard.

6 lets the Director impound any wild animal held in violation, after giving the owner three working days' notice of a right to a departmental hearing, with impoundment costs charged to the owner.