Novato, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 3-1.23 is a flat prohibition: no person may board, have, keep, maintain, display or have in possession or control any wild or undomesticated animal for any length of time. Section 3-1.24 defines the term as an animal wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in Marin County that, because of its size, disposition or other characteristics, could constitute a danger to human life or property or require specialized handling. The list is illustrative, not exclusive, and covers: the cat family (tiger, jaguar, leopard, lion, serval, mountain lion, bobcat, ocelot, cougar), hyenas, bears, and the dog family members wolf, coyote and jackal; elephants; primates including chimpanzee, baboon, orangutan, gibbon, macaque and gorilla; even-toed hoofed mammals such as water buffalo, camels, elk, moose, deer and antelope; odd-toed hoofed mammals such as zebra, tapirs and rhinoceros; kangaroos and wallabies; seals, sea lions and walruses; sloths and tamanduas; all front and rear fanged venomous snakes; the gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard; crocodiles, alligators and caiman; ostriches, rheas, cassowaries and emus; sharks; and any other species venomous to humans by bite, sting, touch or other means.

The definition carves out the domesticated animals Novato residents actually keep. Domestic cats and domestic dogs are excepted, as are domestic pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas, horses and donkeys, small caged birds such as parakeets, canaries, love birds and finches, and the honey-producing bee.

Section 3-1.31 adds a second, residential rule: it is unlawful to keep, possess, house or board any live cat of the family Felidae, except house cats, in any area zoned residential under Chapter 19. Section 3-1.33 requires a permit from the animal services agency at least 30 days before any commercial show, circus, exhibition or educational display that uses animals, and the agency shall not issue permits for any wild or undomesticated animal as defined in § 3-1.24.

Under § 3-1.25, animal services can impound a wild animal found in the city in violation, and must immediately give notice of the impoundment, the grounds and the place the animal is held. Only a licensed California wildlife rehabilitator or an American Zoological Association accredited facility is outside the penalty clause. The Marin Humane Society is the animal services agency enforcing the chapter.