Montebello, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Montebello Municipal Code Section 6.20.010 requires anyone who owns or has charge, custody, control or possession of any animal, reptile or serpent described in Section 6.28.050 to first secure a permit before keeping it, even confined within enclosed premises, and to keep it confined and restrained so it cannot endanger anyone lawfully on the property. Section 6.28.050(A) supplies the named list triggering the permit: any animal or reptile known to be vicious or dangerous, plus specifically an elephant, bear, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, lion, tiger, leopard, wolf, monkey, ape, chimpanzee, bobcat, lynx, wildcat, puma, cheetah, any other wild species, or any poisonous reptile.

The permit application under Section 6.20.050 must be submitted to the director in writing and disclose the applicant's interest in the animal, the proposed keeping location and its owner, a description of every animal or reptile covered, any known vicious or dangerous propensities, housing and fencing arrangements, safety precautions, anticipated noise or odors, and any prior public health or safety incidents. Section 6.20.020 exempts animals confined in a public zoo, museum, circus, carnival or exhibition, and Section 6.20.030 exempts animals only being transported through the city if the owner has notified local law enforcement of the route and time and taken adequate safeguards.

A dog found to have bitten a person or animal without provocation, or twice on separate occasions, is itself classified as a wild or vicious animal under Section 6.28.050(B) and can be ordered restrained or, if restraint is impossible, summarily destroyed.