Santa Clara County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

The County animal code (Division B31, Chapter VI) regulates exotic animals through its 'dangerous animal' framework. Section B31-1 defines a 'dangerous animal' as 'any wild, exotic or venomous animal, or other animal that because of its size, disposition or other characteristic would constitute a danger to persons or property.' Section B31-80 states that 'No person shall keep, have, maintain, sell, trade, or let for hire a dangerous animal without first obtaining a permit from the Manager.' Owners of a permitted dangerous animal must post entrances with a County-provided warning sign at least twelve inches square (B31-80). The Manager may deny or revoke a permit if the animal cannot be kept without endangering people or property, would be a public nuisance, or would suffer neglect or abuse (B31-81), and may require zoo-type caging meeting or exceeding state standards under Section 671 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations and federal standards. Importantly, the chapter does 'not... permit the keeping of dangerous animals where zoning provisions or state law would prohibit such keeping.' California Fish and Game restricted-species law (Title 14 CCR Section 671) bans private possession of many wild species (big cats, bears, primates, most venomous reptiles) without a state permit, so many exotics cannot be kept regardless of any County permit. Bona fide zoos, universities, and research institutions are exempt from the County permit (B31-80).