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

Section 4-30 bars anyone from owning, possessing, keeping or harboring a wild or exotic animal without first obtaining a permit from the public health director or an authorized designee. Section 4-31 requires the application to name the applicant, the animal's location, the species, the number of each species and a description of the housing, with fees set by Board of Supervisors resolution in the Butte County Master Fee Schedule; a permit covers a stated maximum number of animals, and adding animals beyond that cap requires a new permit and fee unless the increase comes from reproduction or a like-for-like trade reported in writing within thirty days.

Section 4-32 sets the annual renewal fee at fifty dollars, due on the anniversary of the initial permit, with a twenty-five dollar delinquent fee added after thirty days past due. Before approval, Section 4-33 routes the application through the county's building inspection section and requires the public health director to confirm the keeping will not violate any county or state law, will not endanger public health or safety, that the premises are clean and sanitary, that the applicant has not had a permit revoked in the prior year, and that the use will not become a public nuisance.

Section 4-34 allows revocation or suspension for a Penal Code Section 597 conviction, unsanitary conditions, failure to provide food, water or shelter, or violation of any department rule, and Section 4-35 lets an aggrieved applicant appeal to the Board of Supervisors within fifteen days of the decision.