Milpitas, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Milpitas controls dangerous and wild animals mainly through its dangerous animal permit. Municipal Code Section V-210-2 defines a 'dangerous animal' as any animal that, because of its size, disposition, or other characteristics, would constitute a danger to humans, and Section V-210-10.01 prohibits keeping, maintaining, selling, trading, or letting for hire a dangerous animal without first obtaining a dangerous animal permit. That permit costs $150 for a 12-month term (Section V-210-10.04), is non-transferable, and may be denied where the animal would endanger persons or property, constitute a public nuisance, or subject the animal to suffering or abuse (Section V-210-10.05); permits may impose conditions such as proper caging, tethering, or zoo-type restraint. Beyond the city rule, California law tightly restricts exotic pets. Under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 671, it is unlawful to import, transport, or possess listed 'restricted' live animals - including many large cats, bears, primates, certain reptiles, and other wildlife - except under a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and such restricted-species permits are not issued for keeping the animal as a personal pet (they are limited to research, exhibition, education, and similar uses). Anyone considering an unusual pet should verify both the Milpitas dangerous animal permit requirement and the state restricted-species list.