Lions, Tigers, Pigs--Oh My!

The majority of Orange County cities prohibit keeping exotic or wild animals in residential areas. However, some cities allow such animals to be kept with a permit. Here’s a look at some of the municipal zoning codes regarding rare pets and wild animals.

Brea: Swine are prohibited within the city limits.

Costa Mesa: Exotic animals are allowed with a permit. Chickens and ducks are classified as family pets. City code limits each family to four pets per household, regardless of the type of pet.

Cypress: Exotic and rare pets are allowed with a conditional-use permit in single-family residences zoned for RS 6,000 or RS 15,000 (6,000 or 15,000 square feet of property). The city may grant a permit to keep exotic animals under certain specific conditions and only after a public hearing.

Fountain Valley: An exotic-animal permit is required. The Planning Commission reviews cases and grants exotic-animal permits on an individual basis. The commission recently turned down a request by an individual to keep rare snow tigers within a residential neighborhood.

Fullerton: Keeping wild animals, piranhas and snakes over 6 feet long is prohibited.

Huntington Beach: Cases are considered on an individual basis but, generally, exotic animals are not allowed in the city. Monkeys, apes and chimpanzees are not allowed to run free in the city and must be confined with a chain “firmly held and securely attached to a competent person.”

Source: Individual city planning and zoning departments