Exotic Pets: San Francisco vs San Jose
How do exotic pets rules compare between San Francisco, CA and San Jose, CA?
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco County
San Francisco prohibits keeping wild and exotic animals as pets under SF Health Code Article 1, aligning with California Fish and Game Code Section 2118 restricted species list. Permits are rarely granted outside of education and research.
View full San Francisco rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
No data available yet for San Jose.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Francisco | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrets in CA | Banned statewide | - |
| State law | Fish & Game Code 2118 | - |
| Local enforcer | SF Animal Care Control | - |
| Permit type | Education or research only | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Francisco FAQ
Are ferrets legal in San Francisco?
No. Ferrets are banned statewide under California Fish and Game Code Section 2118 as restricted species. SF follows the state ban with no local exception for residents.
Can I keep a venomous snake?
No. Venomous reptiles are prohibited under California restricted species rules, and SF Animal Care and Control will seize them. Educational or research permits require state Fish & Wildlife approval.
San Jose FAQ
No FAQs available.
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