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

Research of Sacramento County's published animal and code-enforcement materials did not identify a county-specific exotic-pet licensing or ban ordinance for unincorporated areas; instead, exotic and wild animals are controlled primarily by California state law, which the County enforces alongside the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). California Fish & Game Code section 2118 and California Code of Regulations Title 14 section 671 designate 'restricted species' that cannot be imported, transported, or possessed without a CDFW permit, and CDFW does not issue permits to keep restricted species as personal pets. The restricted list includes large cats, bears, primates, crocodilians (alligators/caimans), and venomous reptiles — all species in the family Viperidae (vipers and rattlesnakes) are restricted live wildlife. State law expressly allows cities and counties to prohibit possession or require a permit for species that do not already require a state permit, so a resident should confirm with County Code Enforcement before keeping any unusual animal. Conventional caged pets — those 'kept for pleasure, in a cage, terrarium, aquarium or other confinement within the primary dwelling' — are not regulated by the County so long as they are kept safely and without creating nuisance conditions. Note: the County's standard pet limit of four dogs and four cats does not authorize restricted wildlife.