No person shall possess or maintain within the jurisdiction of the ordinance codified in this section any animal which is not normally domesticated in the United States, including, but not limited to, any lion, tiger, bear, nonhuman primate (monkey, chimpanzee, etc.), wolf, cougar, ocelot, wildcat, skunk, venomous reptile, ratites including ostriches, emus and rheas, rodents attaining an adult weight of over 10 pounds, or any crocodilian (order Crocodilia), irrespective of its actual or asserted state of docility, tameness or domesticity. Such an animal shall be referred to as a “wild animal.” In addition, the owner of any boa or python species (family Boidae) attaining an adult weight of over 15 pounds or an overall length of over three and one-half feet, and the owner of any monitor lizard species (family Varanidae) that attains an adult weight of over 10 pounds or an adult overall length over three feet, shall keep these animals in cages or enclosures of such size and construction as to preclude the possibility of escape and at the same time permit the animals reasonable freedom of movement. If these animals are maintained in such a manner, and the owner complies with all federal, state and local laws or regulations affecting such animals, it will not be considered a “wild animal” subject to this section. However, any failure to maintain a boa, python or monitor lizard species in the above manner could subject the owner to a dangerous animal abatement proceeding as authorized by this chapter.

The sale, possession for sale, importation or breeding of a wild animal is absolutely prohibited. This section does not apply to birds, small rodents or nonvenomous reptiles commonly used for educational or experimental purposes or for pets.

This section shall not apply to legally operated zoos or circuses or to recognized institutions of learning or scientific research unless the City Manager or his or her designee gives 48 hours’ advance notice that, by reason of inadequate caging or other means of protection of the public from such animals, or by the ineffectiveness of sanitation measures, or by a particular hazard connected with the animal or animals involved, the public health and welfare will be endangered. It is further provided that certain raptorial birds or birds of prey, such as hawks and falcons, may be maintained in the City by licensed falconers, who may acquire a qualified ownership of such birds of prey for the practice of falconry by complying with Fish and Game Commission rules and regulations. (Ord. 3234 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3226 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1792 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1585 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1514 § 1, 1974; Ord. 774 § 1, 1961; prior code § 4.1(F)).