Upland, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

The City of Upland broadly prohibits keeping wild and dangerous animals. Section 6.04.170 of the Municipal Code provides that no person may have, possess, maintain, or control within the city any wild, dangerous, or poisonous animal, except as otherwise provided by law, including the dangerous-dog provisions of Chapter 6.08. Section 6.04.010 defines a 'dangerous animal' to include any carnivorous wild animal or other animal commonly known to be a threat to humans or domestic animals, and the chief animal services officer may determine that other animals present such a danger. This local prohibition operates alongside California's statewide restricted-species framework administered by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which bars private possession of many exotic species, such as large cats, bears, non-domestic canids, primates, alligators, and many venomous reptiles, without a permit. Together, these rules mean that exotic and wild animals are generally not allowed as pets in Upland. Common domesticated pets, ordinary household pets, and species lawful under state law are not affected by Section 6.04.170. Anyone considering an unusual animal should verify both the city's wild-animal prohibition and the California restricted-species list, since possession of a banned exotic can lead to seizure and penalties.