Truckee, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

020(z) defines 'Wild, Exotic or Non-Domestic Animals' broadly as animals such as, but not limited to, deer, antelope, cougars, lions, wolves, coyotes, opossums, anteaters, armadillos, boas, pythons, racers, alligators, crocodiles, ferrets, or any species dangerous to human beings or other animals. 500 then makes it unlawful to have, keep, or maintain any such animal without first applying for and receiving special written authorization from the Animal Control Officer. The Officer may grant authorization only where the animal can be kept without endangering people, a neighborhood, or property, and can attach conditions such as requiring the animal be caged, tethered, or restrained.

The Officer can revoke authorization at any time the animal becomes a safety risk or the owner breaks a permit condition. Crucially, the Town cannot authorize keeping any wild animal that needs a state permit, such as from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, until that state permit is actually issued, so the local authorization sits on top of, not instead of, state wildlife law. There is no separate fee schedule listed in this Section; the Animal Control Officer sets conditions case by case rather than through a published permit fee.