Exotic pets in South Gate are governed almost entirely by state law. California Fish & Game Code §2118 and 14 CCR §671 (the 'Restricted Species' list) make it unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release primates, most wild carnivores, marsupials, most rodents other than hamsters/guinea pigs, ferrets, large reptiles such as crocodilians, piranhas and many other species without a Department of Fish & Wildlife permit. South Gate's Title 4 Animals and Chapter 7.22 Animal Control add a local nuisance/safety overlay enforced by SEAACA. The practical answer in South Gate: domestic dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and common cage birds are allowed; almost everything else requires a state permit and is realistically not permitted on a residential lot.
Under California Fish & Game Code §2118, it is unlawful to 'import, transport, possess, or release alive into this state' any species on the Restricted Species list 'except under a revocable, nontransferable permit' issued by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW). The companion regulation, 14 CCR §671, enumerates the prohibited species in detail and includes: all non-human primates; most carnivores including ferrets, wolves and wolf-hybrids, large cats and most small wild cats; most bats; most marsupials; most wild rodents; piranhas and snakeheads; crocodilians; venomous reptiles; the giant African toad; and many bird species including most starlings, certain corvids and cuckoos. Cal. F&G Code §2118 expressly carves out domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and customary domestic livestock. South Gate Title 4 and Chapter 7.22 add local enforcement: any animal capable of inflicting serious injury, or any animal kept in violation of state law, is subject to seizure and abatement by SEAACA. Tigers, monkeys, ferrets, alligators, large constrictor snakes, venomous snakes, and similar species are not legal pets in South Gate. Service animals under the ADA, and zoo/exhibitor permits, are separate categories with their own rules.
Possession of a Restricted Species without a CDFW permit is unlawful under Cal. Fish & Game Code §2118 — violators face civil penalties and the animal is subject to seizure. Local enforcement of nuisance, dangerous or unauthorized exotic animals falls to SEAACA under South Gate MC Chapter 7.22 and to LA County Department of Public Health for any zoonotic disease concern. Animal cruelty in keeping any pet is a Penal Code §597 misdemeanor.
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