Norwalk, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered animals
- Lions, tigers, bears, wolves, monkeys, more
- Permit issuer
- Executive Director, Dept. of Animal Care and Control
- Required insurance
- $1,000,000 comprehensive liability
- Permit term
- 1 year; renew 45 days before expiration
- Appeal window
- 10 days to City Council
- No permit
- Animal impounded until permit obtained
Summary
Keeping a lion, tiger, bear, wolf, monkey, or other wild or dangerous animal on your Norwalk property requires an Executive Director permit under Chapter 6.28. Letting one of these animals, or a legally vicious dog, run at large is separately prohibited and can lead to impoundment.
No person owning or having charge, custody or possession of any animal or reptile known by such person to be vicious or dangerous, or commonly so known, or owning or having charge, custody, controller possession of any elephant, bear, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, lion, tiger, leopard, wolf, monkey, ape, chimpanzee, bobcat, lynx, wildcat, puma, cheetah, or any animal commonly referred to as "wild animal" or any poisonous reptile, shall permit or allow the same to be at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place or upon any private property other than within the enclosed premises of such person. ... Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall have, keep, maintain or have in his or her possession or under his or her control any animal or reptile described in Section 6.28.010 without first applying to and receiving a permit from the Executive Director to do so.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4609620; v5 updated 2025-12-16).
Full Breakdown
010(A) names the animals covered: any animal or reptile 'known by such person to be vicious or dangerous, or commonly so known,' plus a specific list including elephants, bears, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, monkeys, apes, chimpanzees, bobcats, lynx, wildcats, pumas, cheetahs, any animal 'commonly referred to as wild animal,' and any poisonous reptile. 020 requires the same permit before one may even be kept within an enclosed premises. 040 must detail the animal's housing security, fencing, safety precautions, any prior public-safety incidents, and proof of at least $1,000,000 in comprehensive general liability insurance.
060 routes every application to the City's law enforcement agency and Planning Department for review before it can be granted. 090 while an application is pending. 110. 010(B) separately treats a dog with a demonstrated propensity to attack as a 'wild or vicious animal,' subject to a restraint order and, if unresolved, impoundment and destruction.
Violations & Fines
Section 6.28.100 lets the Executive Director seize and hold any listed animal or reptile kept without the required permit, or after a permit has been revoked, until a proper permit is secured and all fees, costs, and conditions are satisfied. Beyond impoundment, Section 6.04.040 makes any Title 6 violation, including possessing a wild or dangerous animal without a permit, 'a separate offense for every day' it continues. For a dog found to be wild or vicious under Section 6.28.010(B), failure to comply with the Executive Director's restraint order within a reasonable time subjects the animal to capture and summary destruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own a tiger or monkey in Norwalk?
What happens if my dog is found to be legally vicious in Norwalk?
How much does Norwalk's wild animal permit cost?
Can the City deny my wild animal permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norwalk
California rules heatmap·Compare Norwalk to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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