Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I posted some quesitons a while ago about laws regarding keeping reptiles. I got replies from folks saying that they had them same questions and said I would post what I learned after some research.

Our municiple code states, "see CA Fish and Game regarding exotics" and nothing more is said of them either in the code or the zoning regulations. So, I inquired with CA F&G and they said that they do not regulate anything that is not: native to CA, wild caught, venomous or posionous; and to refer to my city government regarding their specific regulations. So, I was back to square one. I contacted the animal supervisor for the city and we had a nice conversation. He said that since there is nothing specifically stated, like there is for dogs, cats, lovestock, rabbits, and other "nuisance" animals, then the code is open for interpretation. Basically, as long as my neihbors don't complain, I can keep what I want. If there are complaints, then they would inspect for animal neglect or unsanitary conditions, as with any other animal. I was satisfied with that response.

I know that this varies greatly between cities. One neighboring city specifically states, "two reptiles (lizard or snake)", while another states, "there shall be no law limiting the number of reptiles....that can be kept by a resident".

I hope this helps anyone that indicated that they were wondering the same thing as myself.

Cheers,
Jessica
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Jessica
0.2 pastel jungle
1.1 spiders
1.0 het pied
0.1 pied
1.0 VPI axanthic poss het snow
0.1 het VPI axanthic
1.1 het clown
1.0 DH Jolliff snow
0.1 Albino het Jolliff snow
1.0 black pastel

Excerpt from CA DFG Restricted Species Laws and Regulations:

(7) Class Reptilia-Reptiles
(A) Order Crocodilia-Crocodiles, Caimans, Alligators and
Gavials All species (D).
(B) Family Chelyridae-Snapping Turtles-All species (D).
(C) Family Elapidae-Cobras, Coral Snakes, Mambas,
Kraits, etc. All species (D).
(D) Family Viperidae-Adders and Vipers
All species (D).
(E) Family Crotalidae-Pit Vipers
All species (D), except Crotalus viridis
(Western rattlesnake), Crotalus atrox (Western
diamondback rattlesnake), Crotalus ruber (red diamondback
rattlesnake), Crotalus scutulatus (Mojave
rattlesnake), Crotalus mitchelli (Speckled rattlesnake)
and Crotalus cerastes (Sidewinder) not restricted.
(F) Family Colubridae-Colubrids
1. Dispholidus typus (Boomslang) (D).
2. Theoltornis kitlandii (Bird or vine snake) (D).
3. All species of genus Nerodia (watersnakes) (D).
(G) Family Helodermatidae
1. Heloderma suspectum suspectum
(reticulate Gila monster) (D).
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Michael

I live in So Cal and i was told the limit in my city is 2 reptiles.

It is up to the city to decide. I'd check your municipal code. If it doesn't specifically say that, I'd argue it (or just make sure you give your neighbors nothing ot complain about and they'll never know). My city does not specifically state anything about reptiles, so I had a discussion with the city animal supervisor with the argument that they are not "nuisance" animals (they don't bark, crow, have copious amounts of excrement, can cause infestation like rhodents, etc). But, I have seen some city's codes and they specifically state, "limited to two reptiles", in which case, that's their law. I got lucky since our code says nothing of them.