San Luis Obispo County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

009 makes it unlawful for any person to own, keep, maintain or possess an animal that is wild by nature and, because of its size, disposition or other characteristics, could constitute a danger to human life or property. Subsection (a) lists covered mammals: any canine other than a domestic dog (wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, or hybrids), any feline other than a domestic cat (mountain lions, bobcats, tigers, or hybrids), plus hyenas, bears, elephants, and primates. Covered reptiles include front-fanged venomous snakes, venomous Heloderma (Gila monsters), reticulated, rock and Burmese pythons, anacondas, any snake commonly exceeding ten feet at adulthood, and any crocodile or alligator, along with any other terrestrial species venomous to humans except honey-producing bees.

Subsection (b) carves out exceptions: livestock; birds, equines, camelids and ruminants; wild and dangerous animals merely transported through the county for under twenty-four hours if the possessor complies with state and federal transport law; and animals kept by a zoo, circus, museum, educational or research institution, veterinary hospital, wildlife rehabilitation or breeding organization, animal rescue, or film/video production company, provided the animals are confined in a manner that precludes escape and fully protects the public. 008 separately extends any dangerous or vicious designation made by another municipality, county or the state to be fully enforceable within San Luis Obispo County.