Santa Barbara County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

We found no Santa Barbara County ordinance that establishes its own list of banned exotic pets. Instead, the keeping of wild and exotic animals in unincorporated areas is governed primarily by California state law, which controls statewide. Fish & Game Code Section 2118 makes it unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive into California — except under a revocable, nontransferable state permit — any wild animal of the species designated as restricted. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's implementing regulation, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 671, lists the restricted species (including many non-native mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians) and the limited categories of permits available. Ordinary domestic pets are not affected, but animals such as primates, large cats, many venomous or constricting reptiles, and various non-native species are restricted or prohibited for private possession. Separately, Santa Barbara County's Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060 regulates the keeping of animals by zone and number, and keeping a species or number not listed in its animal-keeping tables requires a Conditional Use Permit or Minor Conditional Use Permit. Wildlife rehabilitation is allowed in all zones under Section 35.42.060 subject to standards. Anyone considering an exotic animal should confirm legality directly with CDFW.