Marin County, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Outright ban on wild/undomesticated animals countywide
- Definition covers
- Big cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes
- Exceptions
- Licensed rehabilitators, AZA-accredited facilities
- Residential zones
- Non-house cats also banned, § 8.04.225
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
Summary
Marin County bans keeping any wild or undomesticated animal anywhere in the unincorporated county under Section 8.04.182, a list defined in Section 8.04.183 that runs from big cats and bears to venomous snakes and elephants. Section 8.04.225 layers a second, residential-only ban on any non-domestic cat, and violating either is a misdemeanor with up to a $1,000 fine.
8.04.182. No person shall board, have, keep, maintain, display, or have in his/her possession or control, for any length of time, in any area, any wild and/or undomesticated animal, as defined in Section 8.04.183 of this chapter. 8.04.184(c). (c)Penalty. Any person or entity other than a licensed California wildlife rehabilitator or an American Zoological Association (AZA) accredited facility, who boards, has, keeps, maintains, displays, or has in his/her possession or control, for any length of time, any wild and/or undomesticated animal in violation of any of the provisions of Sections 8.04.182 through 8.04.184 of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months or a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or both.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 2026 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
which is venomous to human beings," with the honeybee specifically excepted. 184's penalty clause: a "licensed California wildlife rehabilitator" and an "American Zoological Association (AZA) accredited facility" are not liable under the ban. 182 ban might not squarely apply. 184(b). 183.
Violations & Fines
Violating the wild-animal ban in Section 8.04.182, the definitions in 8.04.183, or the remedial provisions of 8.04.184 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, under Section 8.04.184(c). A violation of the residential big-cat ban in Section 8.04.225 is separately listed as a misdemeanor under the chapter's general penalty section, 8.04.260(a). Animal services may impound the animal in either case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally keep a pet fox or wolf-dog in unincorporated Marin?
Are big cat hybrids like savannah cats allowed in a residential neighborhood?
Is there any exception to the wild animal ban for rescues?
What happens if animal services finds someone with a banned wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marin County
California rules heatmap·Compare Marin County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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