Hawthorne, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Hawthorne treats exotic and wild animals restrictively. Under the Animal Care and Keeping Animals chapter (Chapter 6.24 of the Hawthorne Municipal Code), 'no person shall keep any animal other than a household pet (dog, cat, canary, parrot, or similar animal or bird) on any real property except by special permit issued by the director of animal services or the director of licensing and code enforcement.' Anything beyond conventional household pets therefore requires the city's discretionary special permit. The Impounding of Animals chapter (Chapter 6.04) further defines a 'wild animal facility' as a place where wild animals are kept or maintained for any commercial purpose, including boarding, training, or keeping for hire - reflecting that wild animals are regulated, not freely kept. Layered on top of the city rules, California's wildlife law is decisive for many exotics: 14 CCR §671 (administered under the Fish & Game Code) lists 'restricted species' - including most non-domestic cats, primates, many reptiles, ferrets, and numerous birds and mammals - that may not be imported, transported, or possessed without a California Department of Fish and Wildlife permit. Those permits are generally available only for zoos, research, exhibition, or similar purposes under §671.1, not for private pet ownership. The practical result: a Hawthorne resident cannot keep a typical 'exotic pet' such as a monkey, big cat, venomous snake, or ferret, because state law bars it regardless of any city permit. Always verify both the city special-permit process and the state restricted-species list before acquiring any unusual animal.