Daly City, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Daly City's Title 6, adopted by Ordinance No. 1470 (2024) to align with the San Mateo County animal control ordinance, addresses non-traditional pets in two ways. First, Section 6.04.060(e) prohibits possessing within San Mateo County any animal that another jurisdiction has designated 'potentially dangerous,' 'dangerous,' or 'vicious,' or any similar danger-based designation, without previously notifying animal control and receiving express written permission from the animal control manager; lack of permission alone justifies seizure and impoundment. Second, the fee schedule in Section 6.04.350(d) lists a 'Fancier Permit and/or Exotic Pet Fee' of $100.00, administered through the countywide San Mateo County Animal Control program. The fee schedule also covers impound and surrender charges for 'All Other Companion Animals (Reptiles, Amphibians, etc.)' and birds, confirming the program handles exotic species. Beyond local rules, California law controls which species may be possessed at all: California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 671, adopted by the Fish and Game Commission, prohibits possession of many animals as pets - including ferrets, gerbils, hedgehogs, monkeys, and most wild carnivores - without a CDFW permit, and these state restrictions apply in Daly City regardless of local permits.