OCCO Section 4-1-94 requires a license from the OC Animal Care Director to keep any wild, exotic, dangerous, or non-domestic animal in unincorporated Orange County. Ferrets are illegal statewide in California. Keeping exotic animals must also conform to county zoning regulations.
Under OCCO Section 4-1-94, no person shall have, keep, or maintain any wild, exotic, dangerous, or non-domestic animal without first applying to and receiving a license from the Director of OC Animal Care. The Director determines by regulation which animals fall under this section. The keeping and maintenance of exotic animals must also conform to the zoning regulations of Orange County, meaning certain species may only be kept on appropriately zoned properties. California state law (Fish and Game Code Section 2118) bans possession of many wild animals without a state permit, including ferrets, which are illegal statewide. A multiple animals permit under OCCO Section 4-1-76 is required for keeping four or more licensed dogs or four or more cats over 4 months old.
Keeping exotic animals without a license violates OCCO Section 4-1-94 and may result in animal seizure, fines, and criminal misdemeanor charges. State-prohibited animals (like ferrets) may be confiscated by California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle exotic pets.
See how Midway City's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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