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

Unincorporated Inyo County addresses wild or exotic animals in Inyo County Code Chapter 8.24. The chapter includes a specific provision prohibiting the transport of skunks from or into the county, with a limited exception allowing the sheriff to permit the importation or exportation of skunks for recognized zoological gardens or research institutions. This reflects rabies-vector concerns common to skunk regulation. Beyond the County's own rules, California state law is the dominant control on exotic animals. The California Fish and Game Code and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations prohibit private individuals from importing, possessing, or keeping a long list of "restricted" wild animals (including many large cats, primates, bears, alligators, venomous reptiles, and certain other wildlife) without a permit issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which generally restricts permits to zoos, research, and other approved purposes rather than pets. Because the County's animal code defers to and is enforced alongside state law, anyone considering keeping an exotic animal in unincorporated Inyo County should verify both the County provisions in Chapter 8.24 and the state restricted-species list before acquiring any non-domestic animal. Inyo County Animal Services and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife can confirm what is permitted.