Exotic and restricted species are primarily controlled by California state law, not local Rialto ordinance. Cal. Fish & Game Code § 2118 and 14 CCR § 671 prohibit private possession of most non-domesticated species (big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders) without a CDFW restricted-species permit. Rialto Title 6 reinforces this by prohibiting wild / dangerous animals as a public nuisance.
California Fish & Game Code § 2118 makes it unlawful to import, transport or possess any animal listed as restricted in 14 CCR § 671 (the 'restricted species' list) without a permit from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. The list includes all members of Felidae other than domestic cat, all primates, ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, wolves and wolf hybrids (varies), most venomous snakes, alligators/crocodiles, and many parrots/raptors. Penalties under § 2125 reach $1,000-$10,000 plus seizure. Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 adds local nuisance/danger authority: keeping an animal that endangers people or other animals is abatable, and Rialto Animal Services (contracted via San Bernardino County) can impound restricted species. Service dogs and properly permitted exhibitors/sanctuaries are exempt.
Possession of a restricted species without a CDFW permit is a misdemeanor under Cal. F&G Code § 2125, $1,000-$10,000 fine, plus animal seizure. Rialto can separately abate the animal as a public nuisance under Title 6.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Rialto, CA
Rialto requires permits for walls taller than 42 inches and building permits for all masonry and retaining walls. Block walls get three city inspections, and...
Rialto, CA
Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in all Rialto residential zones, and no sharp points may top any fence under six feet. City design standards also r...
Rialto, CA
Backyard fires in Rialto are legal only as contained cooking or warming fires burning clean fuels such as propane, natural gas, charcoal, or untreated wood. ...
Rialto, CA
Removing a street or parkway tree requires prior written permission from the public services director, and the city's published criteria allow removal only o...
Rialto, CA
Rialto has no cryptocurrency-mining ordinance and no energy cap. A commercial mining facility is treated as an industrial use in the M-1 or M-2 manufacturing...
Rialto, CA
Rialto's noise ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 9.50, sets no decibel limits. It bans plainly audible and unreasonably loud noise, and Section 9.50.060(O) e...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle exotic pets.
See how Rialto's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.