Imperial County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Keeping exotic or wild animals in California - including in unincorporated Imperial County - is governed primarily by state law. Fish & Game Code section 2118 and California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 671 make it unlawful to import, transport or possess listed 'restricted species' except under a permit issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and those permits are generally not granted for keeping animals as personal pets. The restricted list is broad: for example, under Order Carnivora all species are restricted except domestic dogs and domestic cats, which is why ferrets - though common pets elsewhere - are prohibited as pets in California, along with many primates, large cats, certain reptiles, and other wildlife. Native wildlife is additionally protected and cannot simply be taken and kept. On top of the state framework, the county zoning code (Title 9) governs land use, and conventional pets and livestock are addressed by zone and lot size in the residential and agricultural chapters. The bottom line for residents: before acquiring any animal beyond ordinary pets and farm livestock, check whether it is a restricted species under state law - if it is, a private pet permit is almost certainly unavailable. Verify with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and with Imperial County before obtaining any exotic animal.