Sonoma County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- Sec. 5-118
- Unpermitted keeping ban
- Sec. 5-124
- Permit issuer
- CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
- Enforcing agency
- County Division of Animal Regulation
- Max misdemeanor penalty
- $1,000 fine / 6 months jail
Summary
Sonoma County bans exotic animals from running at large and prohibits keeping one without proof of the required federal and state permits, inspections, and approvals under County Code §§ 5-118 and 5-124.
No person shall cause, permit or allow any exotic animal to run at large upon any public street or other public place, or upon any private property or premises other than those of the owner or other person in control of such exotic animal. ... No owner of any exotic animal shall maintain such animal without proof of proper federal and state permits, inspections, and other required approvals.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sonoma County Code defines an 'exotic animal' as any wild animal the California Fish and Game Commission has declared a prohibited species, lawful to import, transport, or possess only under a revocable California Department of Fish and Wildlife permit. Section 5-118 bars letting any exotic animal run at large on a public street or place, or on private property besides its owner's. Section 5-124 separately bars any owner from maintaining an exotic animal without proof of the required federal and state permits, inspections, and other approvals. The county's Division of Animal Regulation, under the Agricultural Commissioner, enforces both sections in unincorporated Sonoma County. This chapter does not reach the City of Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, or the county's other five incorporated cities, which enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the county code are punishable as a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-7 general enforcement provisions: up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day a violation continues a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic animal in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Does this rule apply inside the City of Sonoma or Santa Rosa?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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