Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04.162 prohibits wild animals, venomous reptiles, and monkeys without a permit from the Animal Control Officer. All snakes, reptiles, non-human primates, arachnids, and birds are banned from City parks, beaches, the Pier, and the Third Street Promenade.
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04.162 (adopted 2015) prohibits keeping wild animals, venomous or poisonous reptiles, or monkeys, birds, or fowl within the City unless the person first obtains a permit from the Animal Control Officer. Additionally, it is unlawful for any person to bring snakes, other reptiles, non-human primates (chimpanzees, monkeys), arachnids (spiders, scorpions), rodentia (rodents), lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, pikas), or birds to or upon any City park, the beach, Interim Airport Open Space, Ocean Front Walk, the Pier and ramp, Third Street Promenade, Transit Mall, Swim Center, or adjacent public sidewalks and parkways. Exemptions exist for: animals present under a community events permit or film permit, animals naturally inhabiting the areas, and government personnel acting in public health and safety capacities. California law (14 CCR §671) further restricts possession of many exotic species statewide.
Keeping prohibited animals without a permit is a violation subject to citation, fines, and animal removal. Bringing restricted animals to prohibited public locations is separately enforceable.
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