Los Banos, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed from
- CA Dept. of Fish and Game AND the City
- Local decision-maker
- Animal Control Officer
- Conditions allowed
- Caging, tethering, restraint, added requirements
- Fee
- License fee under city fee schedule, paid at application
- Exempt
- Licensed circuses, carnivals, zoos
- Appeal window
- 14 calendar days to City Clerk
Summary
Los Banos bans keeping wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animals without first obtaining authorization from both the California Department of Fish and Game and the City, under Los Banos Municipal Code § 6-1.9002. The City's Animal Control Officer decides whether to grant, condition or revoke that local authorization, on top of any zoning-code limits.
No person shall have, keep, maintain, breed, sell, trade or let for hire, any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal without first applying to and receiving special authorization from the State of California, Department of Fish and Game and the City. The keeping or maintenance of such animals shall also conform to the City zoning code. ... The Animal Control Officer may authorize the keeping or maintaining of any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal when, in his or her opinion, any such animal may be kept or maintained without endangering the safety or any person, other animal or property, nor create a nuisance ... Any privately owned wild, exotic, dangerous, or non-domestic animal shall require a license fee as specified in the city fee schedule; the initial fee to be paid at the time of application. The Animal Control Officer may revoke such authorization when, in his or her opinion, the safety of any person, other animal or property is endangered or that a nuisance is created by the keeping of such animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4356507; v3 updated 2025-03-05).
Full Breakdown
9002(a) bars anyone from having, keeping, maintaining, breeding, selling, trading or letting for hire any wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal without dual authorization from the State Department of Fish and Game and the City, and requires that keeping the animal also conform to the City zoning code. Subsection (b) gives the Animal Control Officer discretion to authorize keeping such an animal when it will not endanger people, other animals or property or create a nuisance, and lets the Officer impose caging, tethering, restraint, or other conditions as needed.
Every privately owned wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal needs a license fee under the City's fee schedule, paid at the time of application, and the Officer can revoke authorization at any time the animal is judged unsafe or a nuisance. Subsection (c) exempts licensed circuses, carnivals, zoos, or other collections of wild animals operating under City, State or Federal jurisdiction. 9007, the owner can file a written appeal with the City Clerk within 14 calendar days, triggering a hearing before the City Manager or designee on at least five calendar days' notice, with a final and conclusive decision.
Violations & Fines
Intentionally keeping a wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal without dual State Fish and Game and City authorization is unlawful and a public nuisance under § 6-1.9006, chargeable as an infraction or misdemeanor with fines and jail time capped by Government Code § 36901, plus administrative penalties available under Title 4 Chapter 11. A permit denial or revocation can be appealed to the City Clerk within 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a wild or exotic animal in Los Banos?
Can the City take back my exotic animal permit?
Are zoos and circuses exempt from this permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Banos
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Banos to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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