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

Monterey County's animal control materials do not establish a separate countywide exotic-pet permit scheme; possession of wild and exotic animals is governed mainly by California law, which preempts much of this area. California Fish and Game Code section 2118 makes it unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive certain restricted wild animals except under a permit, because they pose a threat to native wildlife, agriculture, or public health and safety. The implementing regulation, California Code of Regulations Title 14 section 671, lists restricted species and provides that the Department of Fish and Wildlife issues Restricted Species Permits only for limited purposes such as research, public exhibition, or education, and not for keeping wild animals as personal pets. Commonly prohibited pets in California include ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, gerbils, monkeys, and monk parakeets. Separately, possession of California's native wildlife is restricted under state hunting and wildlife rules. Within unincorporated Monterey County, residents must comply with these state restrictions, and the County's own MCC 8.42.012 prohibits feeding wildlife (except a yard bird feeder), which discourages habituating wild animals. Anyone considering an unusual pet should verify legality with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before acquiring the animal, since state penalties apply even where no County ordinance does.