Santa Maria, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

1010) defines "wild animal" to include any animal other than common domestic animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats or domestic fowl, and states the term covers fowl and reptiles whenever used in the article. 1002 singles out bears and any feline other than a domesticated cat for an outright keeping ban, with exceptions limited to a licensed zoo or circus, a zoo operated by a public agency, and a licensed veterinarian treating the animal, who must house it in quarters adequate for its size and characteristics during treatment.

If a prohibited bear or wild feline turns up on someone else's property, a public street, a park, a school ground or any other public place, a Police Officer destroys it on the spot and bills the disposal cost to the animal's owner or custodian through a City court action. 1002(c) gives the owner only 48 hours after a Police Officer's or Animal Control Officer's written or oral demand to either destroy the animal at their own expense or surrender it to a City-designated location for destruction.

1005 lets the Animal Control Officer impound any wild or feral animal trespassing or running at large, with anyone who takes one up required to report it within 24 hours. 1006 to guarantee the animal stays confined afterward. 1008 requires it be surrendered and impounded in separate quarters for at least 14 days so the Health Officer can check for disease before release.