Stockton Municipal Code Title 6 focuses on domestic dogs and cats and prohibited livestock (pigs, hogs, roosters under SMC 6.04.440), but does not separately enumerate exotic species. The controlling rule is California Fish and Game Code §2118, which makes it 'unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive' in the state — except under a revocable, nontransferable CDFW permit — a long list of restricted wildlife including non-human primates, most carnivores, most rodents, crocodilians, piranhas, and many bird species.
California Fish and Game Code §2118 is the master list of restricted species in the state. It expressly bars possession of non-human primates, sloths, marsupials, bats, pangolins, most rabbits, most rodents and most carnivores, plus crocodilians, giant toads, piranhas and other listed taxa, without a Restricted Species Permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Title 14 CCR §671). Domesticated dogs, domestic cats, rabbits (some breeds), hamsters, lab rats/mice and guinea pigs are excluded from the ban. Stockton's Title 6 chapters identified through Animal Services do not relax these state limits; in addition, SMC 6.04.440 independently bans pigs/hogs/shoats and roosters within Stockton. Permit-eligible holders (zoos, research facilities, qualified exhibitors) must still comply with all CDFW caging and reporting requirements.
Possession of a restricted species without a CDFW permit is a misdemeanor under Cal. Fish & Game Code §2125 with fines up to $1,000 per animal and up to six months in county jail. Animals can be seized by CDFW. Stockton Animal Services will refer exotic-animal complaints to CDFW; city-level violations of SMC 6.04.440 (pigs, roosters) are abated under the municipal citation process.
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Stockton, CA
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