Los Angeles Municipal Code § 53.39 Wild Animals – Power of Department Over

(Amended by Ord. No. 133,983, Eff. 4/10/67.)

The Department is hereby invested with the authority to issue permits to any person for the keeping or maintaining of any wild, exotic, dangerous or non-domestic animal or reptile when, in the opinion of the General Manager, any such animal or reptile may be kept or maintained without menacing the safety of any person or property; provided, however, that the Department may require any such animal or reptile to be properly caged or secured or may make additional rules or regulations regulating the keeping or maintaining of any such animal or reptile, and may revoke any such permit for any violation of any of the provisions of this article or of any of the rules and regulations of the Department, or when, in the opinion of the General Manager, the safety of any person or property is menaced by the keeping of any such animal or reptile.

Provided further, that the Department shall also have authority to issue permits for the keeping or maintaining, on a temporary basis, of all types of wild animals or reptiles in connection with a circus, amusement enterprise or animal exhibition when located in a zone wherein such uses are permitted pursuant to Article 2, Chapter 1 of this Code.

Revocation of permits shall follow the procedure outlined in Sec. 22.02 of this Code.

(Added by Ord. No. 186,556, Eff. 4/14/20.)

(a) Definitions.

1. Circus or Performing Animal Show. An exhibition in which a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal is required to perform tricks, give rides, or participate as accompaniment for the entertainment,

amusement, or benefit of a live audience, whether or not a fee is charged.

2. Conservation or Educational Presentation. A presentation by a Zoo, wildlife conservation center, qualified professional animal handler, educator, or scientist pursuant to a permit issued by the Department

in accordance with this section that includes a Wild or Exotic Animal or a Dangerous Animal, the purpose of which is to educate and teach respect and responsible behavior for the conservation and protection of wildlife and the environment, animal behavior, habitat, and life cycle, as well as the humane treatment of Wild or Exotic Animals and Dangerous Animals. A presentation with a Wild or Exotic Animal or with a Dangerous Animal is not permitted in any location with amplified music, where alcohol is available, or where the Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal is to perform tricks or behaviors that does not naturally occur in the wild for that animal.

3. Dangerous Animal. A Wild or Exotic Animal belonging to, but not limited to, the mammalian, amphibian, or reptilian families that is potentially dangerous by nature as a species and poses an inherent risk of

harm to human health or safety because of its strength, size, physical characteristics, instinctual behavior or risk of disease transmission, including, but not limited to, Order Felidae: Panthera (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars), mountain lions, cheetahs, and any hybrid thereof, Order Carnivora (Canidae: Wolves, Ursidae: Bears, Hyaenidae: Hyena), elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, moose, bison, giraffe, and certain nonhuman primates such as a gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, baboon, macaque, as well as non-venomous reptiles over 8 feet in length, and venomous reptiles.

4. Filming. Filming pursuant to a City film permit, and a permit to film with animals issued by the Department pursuant to Section 53.50 of this Code.

5. Wild or Exotic Animal. An animal of a non-domesticated order or family, whether the animal was bred in the wild or in captivity, and any hybrid of a Wild or Exotic animal belonging to, but not limited to,

the mammalian, amphibian, or reptilian families and any hybrid thereof.

6. Zoo. An entity that exhibits a Wild or Exotic Animal and possesses the requisite permits from the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Fish & Wildlife, the California

Department of Fish & Wildlife, and all other required City, State, and Federal permits.

(b) Exhibition of a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal. It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal beyond the location specified in a permit issued pursuant to Section 53.50 of this Code, except in compliance with an off-site exhibition permit authorized by this section, available only for Filming or a Conservation or Educational Presentation. Public contact with a Dangerous Animal in connection with a Conservation or Educational Presentation is prohibited.

(c) Permit Application. A permit issued by the Department shall be required for the off-site exhibition of a Wild or Exotic Animal or a Dangerous Animal. The application shall include the following:

1. The applicant shall provide a copy of all required Federal, State, and local permits, including, if applicable, a film permit or an animal rental permit.

2. The applicant shall describe the safeguards for the humane treatment and safe transportation of each animal and for the safety of the public.

3. The applicant shall attest that each animal owner, handler, and anyone connected with or responsible for the exhibition of the Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal has not been convicted of animal

abuse, neglect, or cruelty.

4. If applicable, the applicant shall provide the names and contact information for the owner and/or the rental company from which each Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal was obtained.

5. For Filming, the applicant also shall provide the Department with a copy of the City film permit; a copy of the Department film permit issued pursuant to Section 53.50; the date, time, and location of the

Filming; the age, type, and number of Wild or Exotic Animals and Dangerous Animals; and a description of the scenes where the Wild or Exotic Animal and/or Dangerous Animal will be used.

6. For a Conservation or Educational Presentation that includes a Dangerous Animal, the applicant also shall provide the Department with the date time, location, and purpose of the exhibition; the age, type, and

number of Dangerous Animals to be exhibited; and the age, type and number of any other animals present. The applicant shall submit the completed application at least ten calendar days prior to the Conservation or Educational Presentation. Upon good cause, the Department may approve an application submitted within fewer days.

7. The applicant shall provide proof of insurance in an amount and form acceptable to the City’s risk manager.

8. The applicant shall provide any additional information requested by the Department, including, but not limited to, information requested by the Department following the Department’s consultation with

governmental agencies, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, federal or state agencies.

(d) Permit Duration. The Department may issue an annual off-site permit pursuant to this section for a Conservation or Educational Presentation that does not include a Dangerous Animal. A permit for an off-site Conservation or Educational Presentation with a Dangerous Animal shall be limited to the date, time, and location of the Conservation or Educational Presentation. A filming permit issued by the Department for Filming shall be limited to the date, time, and location of the scenes involving the Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal.

(e) Prohibition – Circus or Performing Animal Show. No person shall exhibit, and the Department shall not issue a permit for, a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal in connection with a Circus or a Performing Animal Show.

(f) Prohibition – Loud or Unruly Gathering. No person shall exhibit a Wild or Exotic Animal or a Dangerous Animal for, or in conjunction with, a house party or loud or unruly gathering as defined in Section 41.58.1 of this Code. The Department shall not issue a permit under this section to any person who in the prior two years has been convicted, pleaded no contest, failed to appear, or forfeited bail in connection with a violation of Section 41.58.1. The Department shall not issue a permit under this section for the exhibition of a Wild or Exotic Animal or Dangerous Animal on any property used in the last two years for, or in conjunction with, a house party or loud or unruly gathering as defined in Section 41.58.1.

(g) Rules and Regulations. The General Manager may promulgate additional definitions, rules, and regulations necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this article.