Kern County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Exotic animal possession in unincorporated Kern County is governed primarily by California state law. Fish and Game Code section 2118 makes it unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive any restricted wild animal except under a revocable, nontransferable permit issued under that chapter and its regulations. The restricted list spans entire classes of animals -- including all primates, all bears, all crocodilians, many carnivores, and certain birds, fish, and amphibians -- and the Fish and Game Commission may designate additional restricted species by regulation (14 CCR section 671). Restricted species permits are issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under the permit categories established by regulation.