La Habra, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- For any exotic or wild animal, per Section 6.22.200
- Sign size
- At least 15 inches square at each entrance
- Exotic examples
- Primates, large reptiles, big cats, ostriches
- Wild examples
- Bears, coyotes, raccoons, hawks, falcons
- Enclosure rule
- Secure enclosure required when not in use
Summary
In the City of La Habra, Municipal Code Section 6.22.200 requires a permit from the animal control officer before anyone owns or possesses an exotic animal or a wild animal, on top of any other license state law demands. Section 6.22.210 then makes the permit holder post a warning sign at every entrance to the property.
§ 6.22.200. Exotic or wild animals—Permit required. A. In addition to any license or other permit required by law, it is unlawful for any person to own or have in his possession, custody, charge or control any exotic animal as defined in Section 6.04.070 or wild animal as defined in Section 6.04.190 without first obtaining a permit from the animal control officer as prescribed in Chapter 6.30 of this title. The fee for this permit shall be as established per resolution of the city council. ... ... § 6.22.210. Exotic or wild animals—Posting required. Persons owning, caring for, or having control of any exotic or wild animal as defined in this chapter must post at entrances to the property where such animal is kept, a sign not less than fifteen inches square, containing the warning, both in written and pictorial form, that an exotic or wild animal is present.
Full Breakdown
Section 6.04.070 of the La Habra Municipal Code defines an exotic animal as any non-native animal not normally considered domestic, fowl or livestock, giving alligators, crocodiles, large reptiles and snakes, chimpanzees, monkeys and other primates, lions, tigers, cheetahs, ocelots and other large cats, ostriches and peafowl as examples. Section 6.04.190 separately defines a wild animal as any amphibian, bird, fish, mammal, reptile or other animal not normally domesticated in the state, or any non-domestic or untrained animal that because of its size, disposition or other trait is a hazard to people or property, naming bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes, ferrets, opossums, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, weasels, eagles, hawks and falcons as examples.
Section 6.22.200 requires anyone who wants to own, possess, or control either kind of animal to first obtain a permit from the animal control officer, in addition to any other license state law requires, with a fee set by city council resolution. Once permitted, Section 6.22.210 requires posting a warning sign at least fifteen inches square, in both written and pictorial form, at every property entrance, plus a visible warning on any cage or container used to transport the animal. Section 6.22.220 bans letting the animal run loose in a way that endangers a lawful visitor or go unrestrained in public, and Section 6.22.520 requires the permit holder to keep the animal in a secure enclosure whenever it is not in active use.
Violations & Fines
Keeping an exotic or wild animal without the Section 6.22.200 permit, or without the Section 6.22.210 warning signs, is an infraction under Section 6.22.900, with a fine set by city council resolution. A second or later violation of any Chapter 6.22 provision can be charged as a misdemeanor at the discretion of the animal control officer, chief of police, city attorney or district attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic pet like a monkey or large snake in La Habra?
What must I post if I have a permitted wild animal at home?
What is the penalty for keeping an unpermitted exotic animal in La Habra?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Habra
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