Watsonville, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 6-1.704 of the Watsonville Municipal Code makes it unlawful to own or have the possession, custody, charge or control of any elephant, bear, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, ocelot, lion, tiger, alligator, crocodile, leopard, wolf, monkey, any venomous or dangerous reptile of any kind, or any dangerous or wild animal, without first obtaining a permit from the Director of Animal Control. The named species are examples, not a closed list, because the catch-all covers any dangerous or wild animal. Section 6-1.117 defines a wild animal as any exotic, venomous, nondomestic or untrained animal which, because of its size, natural disposition or other characteristic, constitutes a hazard or menace to persons or animals or is likely to cause personal injury or damage property.

Applicants pay an annual permit fee set by resolution of the Council, and the code section prints no dollar amount. Each permit is valid for one year after the date of issuance unless revoked. The Director of Animal Control can issue a permit if satisfied that the animal will be kept in a safe, secure and humane fashion and without menacing the safety of any person or animal or causing damages to property. As a condition of the permit the Director can require that the animal be properly caged or tethered and can issue regulations and conditions on possessing or maintaining it within the City of Watsonville. A permit can be revoked when any provision of the chapter or any condition or regulation issued by the Director is violated, or when in the Director's opinion the safety of any person or animal is menaced or property is likely to be damaged.

Subsection (f) exempts a dangerous or wild animal caged in a safe and humane manner while being transported through the City, and an animal within the City under the control of a City licensed circus, carnival, traveling show or collection of animals for exhibition. Pet shops carry their own duty under § 6-1.605: before selling a dangerous or wild animal, the shop must ascertain the buyer's place of residence and, if the buyer lives in the City, advise the buyer to obtain a permit first. Section 6-1.702 requires the owner of a dangerous animal to post a conspicuous warning sign at the entrance of the dwelling or property.