Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Yuba County

Yuba County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit required
Administrative use permit
State license
CDFW authorization required
Allowed uses
Sanctuary or rehab facility only
Local enforcement
Yuba County Animal Care Services

Summary

Unincorporated Yuba County limits wild-animal keeping to licensed wildlife sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilities, which must hold both a county administrative use permit and state Fish and Wildlife authorization.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Yuba County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The keeping of wild animals shall be limited to wildlife sanctuaries or wildlife rehabilitations facilities. All such facilities shall obtain approval of an administrative use permit and any required licenses from Yuba County Animal Care Services and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).

Full Breakdown

County code confines the keeping of wild animals to two use types: wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Both must secure an administrative use permit from the county, a staff-level discretionary approval, not a by-right use, plus any required licenses from Yuba County Animal Care Services and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. There's no by-right path to keep wild animals on residential or agricultural property outside these two licensed facility types.

Violations & Fines

Operating a wildlife rescue or sanctuary without both the county's administrative use permit and CDFW licensing is unpermitted use, subject to code enforcement and permit denial or revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a rescued wild animal at home in unincorporated Yuba County?
Only through a licensed wildlife sanctuary or rehabilitation facility holding a county administrative use permit and California Department of Fish and Wildlife authorization: there's no general home exception.
What permit does a wildlife rehab facility need from the county?
An administrative use permit, in addition to any required state licenses from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Yuba County

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsMicrochippingLight RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSome RestrictionsCat RulesLight RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsPet Store RulesSome RestrictionsBeekeepingSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Weed OrdinancesSome Restrictions

All Yuba County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Yuba County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview

Get notified when Wildlife Rescue Permits in Yuba County, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.