Daly City, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Exotic pet fee
- $100 annual Fancier Permit and/or Exotic Pet fee (Sec. 6.04.350(d))
- Dangerous-designated animals
- Written animal control permission required before possession
- State-banned species
- Ferrets, hedgehogs, monkeys, and others under 14 CCR 671
- Administering agency
- San Mateo County Animal Control & Licensing
Summary
Daly City Municipal Code Section 6.04.060(e) bars possessing any animal designated dangerous or vicious by another jurisdiction without prior written permission from the animal control manager, and the adopted fee schedule includes a $100 annual Fancier Permit and/or Exotic Pet fee. State law (14 CCR 671) separately bans many exotic species outright.
(e) No Person shall possess within San Mateo County any animal designated by another jurisdiction as "potentially dangerous", "dangerous", or "vicious," or other designation based on the animal's potential danger to humans and/or animals, without previously notifying Animal Control and receiving express written permission from the Animal Control Manager for the animal's presence or residence in San Mateo County. A failure to receive prior permission is in itself a sufficient basis for an Animal Control Officer or peace officer to seize and impound such animal.
Full Breakdown
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. 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. 00, administered through the countywide San Mateo County Animal Control program. )' 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.
Violations & Fines
Possessing an out-of-jurisdiction dangerous-designated animal without written permission is grounds for immediate seizure and impoundment under Section 6.04.060(e), with infraction fines up to $100/$200/$500 under Section 6.10.010 and administrative citations under Section 6.04.230. Possessing state-restricted species can bring separate CDFW penalties and confiscation under state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a ferret or hedgehog in Daly City?
I am moving to Daly City with a dog declared dangerous in another county. What do I do?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Daly City
California rules heatmap·Compare Daly City to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle exotic pets.