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

No special Mendocino County exotic-pet ordinance was identified in the County Code; possession of exotic and wild animals in the unincorporated areas is controlled chiefly by California state law. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, §671 (administered by the Department of Fish & Wildlife) makes it unlawful to import, transport or possess live 'restricted' animals except under a permit issued by the Department, and 'permits are not granted for private pet possession.' Restricted species are designated either 'W' (welfare animals, protected to prevent depletion of wild populations and ensure animal welfare) or 'D' (detrimental animals, posing a threat to native wildlife, agriculture or public health and safety). The restricted list broadly includes all primates; essentially all non-domestic cats (e.g., the entire Felidae family, with the cheetah listed as 'D'); wolves and wolf-dog hybrids and other wild Canidae; bears; many other carnivores such as raccoons, skunks and weasels; crocodilians and venomous reptiles; and numerous birds of prey. State law also expressly notes that 'cities and counties may also prohibit possession or require a permit for these and other species not requiring a state permit,' meaning a county may layer additional restrictions. No such additional Mendocino County exotic-animal ordinance was found, so the practical rule is: if a species is restricted under §671, you generally cannot keep it as a pet in unincorporated Mendocino County. Common domesticated pets (dogs, cats, most caged birds, typical pet reptiles not on the restricted list) are not affected by §671.