Indio specifically prohibits possessing wild animals and dangerous reptiles within the city unless permitted by the City Council or licensed by the state Department of Fish and Game. Rattlesnakes are flatly banned. This is a City-added rule layered on top of the adopted county code.
When Indio adopted Riverside County's animal-control code, it added its own provision targeting exotic and dangerous animals (Indio Municipal Code § 92.08, added by Ord. 1631). That section makes it unlawful for any person to possess any wild animal or dangerous reptile within the incorporated area unless (1) the area is owned for such use and the City Council has granted permission, or (2) the person holds current licenses or permits from the State Fish and Game Department in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 14, §§ 40, 670-670.7, and 671-671.7 (the state's restricted-species rules). Critically, Indio carves out one absolute prohibition: it is unlawful for ANY person to possess and confine rattlesnakes within the incorporated area of the city, even with otherwise valid state authorization. This City-specific rule is stricter than relying on state restricted-species law alone, because it requires local City Council permission on top of any state permit and bans rattlesnakes outright. California's state restricted-species list separately prohibits many exotic animals (large cats, primates, venomous reptiles, etc.) without a permit. Common domestic pets are not affected by this section.
Possessing a wild animal or dangerous reptile without City Council permission or a valid state permit, or possessing a rattlesnake at all, violates IMC § 92.08. Violations are enforced as infractions/misdemeanors under Chapter 92's penalty schedule and can lead to seizure of the animal, fines, and potential misdemeanor charges.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle exotic pets.
See how Indio's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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