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

Merced County Code Chapter 7.04 addresses dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals and includes provisions for wild and dangerous animals. According to County sources, a person may not keep, harbor, or maintain a wild animal within the County without first being appropriately zoned for the activity, obtaining a Conditional Use Permit from County planning if required, and then applying to and receiving an annual administrative permit from the animal control manager. The Code also requires that any keeper of a potentially dangerous dog, vicious dog, dangerous animal, vicious animal, or wild animal that escapes confinement immediately notify the animal control manager (within one business day of the escape). Layered on top of County rules, California Fish & Game Code and Title 14 'restricted species' regulations prohibit private possession of many exotic animals — including most non-domestic cats, bears, primates, ferrets, and certain reptiles — without a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and some species are banned entirely. Because both County and State approvals may apply, verify any exotic animal directly with Merced County Animal Services and CDFW before acquiring it.