Fremont, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- FMC 6.50.010
- Standard
- Nuisance-based, not species list
- Trigger
- Disturbs peace or risks injury
- Enforcement
- Animal services manager, nuisance abatement
- Private remedy
- Civil action under Cal. Civ. Code Sec. 3493
Summary
Fremont Municipal Code Section 6.50.010 declares it a public nuisance to keep any dangerous or exotic animal in the city that unreasonably disturbs neighbors, interferes with enjoyment of property, or creates a significant risk of injury.
It shall be unlawful and shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to keep within the limits of the city any dangerous or exotic animal or combination of any animals that unreasonably disturbs the peace and comfort of the inhabitants of the neighborhood in which such animal or combination of animals is kept, or interferes with any person in the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life or property, or creates a significant risk of injury to life or property.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 02-2026, passed May 5, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010, titled 'Keeping of certain animals as constituting public nuisance,' makes it unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to keep within city limits any dangerous or exotic animal, or combination of animals, that unreasonably disturbs the peace and comfort of neighborhood inhabitants, interferes with a person's reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life or property, or creates a significant risk of injury to life or property. 10, this provision does not name specific species; it defines the violation by the nuisance effect the animal creates, giving the animal services manager and code enforcement discretion to act against any dangerous or exotic animal causing harm or disturbance. 090(d) separately allows any private person specifically injured by the nuisance to bring a civil action under California Civil Code Section 3493.
Violations & Fines
A dangerous or exotic animal kept in violation of Section 6.50.010 is a public nuisance, and an animal control officer may seize and impound the animal. The city can pursue abatement under Chapters 8.05 and 8.10, and a private person specifically injured by the animal may sue for enforcement under Cal. Civ. Code Section 3493.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fremont ban specific exotic animal species?
Can a neighbor sue over a dangerous exotic animal in Fremont?
What can the city do about an illegal exotic pet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fremont
California rules heatmap·Compare Fremont to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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