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

It is unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit as provided in this chapter and the regulations pertaining thereto, any wild animal of the following species:

(b) Class Mammalia (mammals) Order Primates - All species except those in family Hominidae Order Edentata (sloths, anteaters, armadillos, etc.) - All species. Order Marsupialia (marsupials or pouched mammals) - All species. Order Insectivora (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, etc.) - All species. Order Chiroptera (bats) - All species. Order Lagomorpha (pikas, rabbits, hares) - All species, except domesticated races of rabbits. Order Rodentia (rodents) - All species, except domesticated golden hamsters, also known as Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus; domesticated races of rats or mice (white or albino; trained, dancing or spinning, laboratory-reared); and domestic strains of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Order Carnivora (carnivores) - All species, except domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and domestic cats (Felis catus). Order Proboscidea (elephants) - All species. Mammals of the orders Primates, Edentata, Dermoptera, Monotremata, Pholidota, Tubulidentata, Proboscidea, Perissodactyla, Hyracoidea, Sirenia and Carnivora are restricted for the welfare of the animals, except animals of the families Viverridae and Mustelidae in the order Carnivora are restricted because such animals are undesirable and a menace to native wildlife, the agricultural interests of the state, or to the public health or safety.

(f) Class Reptilia (snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators) Family Crocodilidae - All species.