National City, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 8.32.010 of the National City Municipal Code lists animals that cannot be kept anywhere in the city, citing public health and the spread of exotic Newcastle disease, avian flu and West Nile virus. The list covers any venomous snake, lizard or reptile; any lizard or reptile, including a nonvenomous snake, exceeding six feet in length or twenty-five pounds in weight; any ferret, skunk or polecat; any lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, wildcat or other member of the feline family other than a domestic cat, regardless of weight or age; any primate except a service monkey not exceeding twenty pounds that assists a disabled person; any pig; any wolf, fox, coyote or similar canid or any canine hybrid; and any rooster, even one surgically de-crowed. It also reaches any other large animal that is not a horse, burro, jackass, mule, cow, sheep, goat, llama or alpaca, and any animal or bird whose possession is restricted by federal or state law without a permit. The list is stated to be without limitation.

One exception is written into the section: a traveling circus or carnival holding a temporary use permit under Chapter 15.60 can exhibit animals for a temporary duration, if animals are kept in secure enclosures and the permit holder accepts unannounced inspections (§ 8.32.010(B)).

What is allowed comes from § 8.32.015. Only one nonvenomous snake not exceeding six feet in length, or one reptile or lizard not exceeding twenty-five pounds, can be kept on a property. Horses, cows, goats, sheep, burros, mules, jackasses, llamas or alpacas are capped at five combined and need a parcel of at least twenty thousand square feet. Exemptions from the numeric limits require an animal permit from the city council or city manager for educational, conservation, religious or preservation purposes, with an annual fee, and the permit is issued only if the increase will not adversely affect public health and safety.

Permit violations lead to impoundment of excess animals at the owner's expense and revocation, with an appeal under Chapter 1.42 within ten calendar days of revocation (§ 8.32.015(B)). Animal control officers enforce Title 8 and are authorized to impound animals held in violation (§ 8.04.010). The transition period for existing owners expired on July 1, 2004 (§ 8.32.040).