Reedley, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 671 maintains a comprehensive list of restricted species that are illegal to import, possess, or transport without a special permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Restricted animals include primates, large cats (lions, tigers, leopards), bears, wolves, venomous reptiles, and many other species. Permits are generally issued only to qualified educational institutions, research facilities, and exhibitors, not for private pet ownership. Reedley Municipal Code Section 5-3-1 defines a vicious animal broadly as any animal, wild or domesticated, that has seriously bitten, inflicted severe injury on, or killed a human or domestic animal. Under the code, the animal control officer has authority to impound any animal found at large or posing a threat. Fresno County Environmental Health may also regulate certain exotic animal species within its jurisdiction. Common exotic pets such as ferrets, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders remain illegal in California regardless of local ordinances.