Santee, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 6.10.210 of the Santee Municipal Code, enforced by San Diego County Animal Services as the City's authorized agency, splits wild-animal ownership into two tiers. Subsection A bans owning, possessing or maintaining any venomous reptile outright, subject only to the zoo and research exception in subsection D. Subsection B applies to every wild animal owner: the animal must be kept in a cage or enclosure built and maintained to prevent escape, kept clean, given adequate food, water, shelter and veterinary care, and kept from threatening or annoying people of normal sensitivity; the owner must also reimburse the agency's enforcement costs and any City damages the animal causes.

Subsection C adds a second, stricter tier for animals that create a greater risk to the public. The code exempts fish, invertebrates, amphibians, birds under 15 pounds and rodents under 10 pounds, and sets numeric size tests for reptiles: a crocodilian is always higher-risk, while a boa or python only counts above 15 pounds or 3.5 feet, and a monitor lizard only above 10 pounds or three feet. Owners of a higher-risk animal must employ safeguards against unauthorized access, keep it in an escape-proof enclosure even in transit, get the agency's written permission before moving it to property they do not own or lease, notify the agency immediately of any escape, and let the agency inspect the animal, the property and any state or federal permit.

The agency may impound or abate a violating animal after 10 days' written notice and a hearing under Section 6.10.240, unless immediate action is needed to protect health and safety.