In California, an ostrich is not an ordinary backyard pet. The state regulates ostriches as restricted animals, so keeping one generally requires authorization from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). A permit is not automatic, and local zoning, animal-care rules, and other requirements may also apply. The answer for any particular property depends on the purpose of keeping the bird, the applicable permits, and local rules.
Are Ostriches Legal to Own in California?
Not as an unrestricted pet. California’s restricted-species regulations cover ostriches, meaning a person generally cannot import, transport, possess, or keep one without the required state authorization. The relevant rules are in Title 14, Section 671 of the California Code of Regulations, which identifies restricted animals, and related CDFW rules governing permits.
This does not mean every ostrich in California is necessarily illegal. Ostriches may be held under appropriate authorization for qualifying purposes, such as certain commercial, educational, or exhibition activities. But having land, buying a bird, or calling it livestock does not by itself exempt an owner from wildlife rules. Prospective owners should confirm the current requirements directly with CDFW before arranging a purchase, transport, or enclosure.
The practical distinction is important: California may authorize particular uses of ostriches, but that is different from allowing anyone to keep one as a companion animal. A permit is issued under state rules and conditions; it is not a blanket approval to keep an ostrich wherever or however the owner chooses.
What California’s Restricted-Species Rules Mean
California restricts certain wild and potentially dangerous animals to reduce risks to people, wildlife, agriculture, and public resources. CDFW administers the restricted-species program under state law and regulations. The rules can cover possession as well as activities such as importation and transportation, so an owner should not assume that purchasing an ostrich from another state or receiving one as a gift avoids the requirement.
Restricted-species permits are tied to the proposed activity and the applicant’s ability to meet regulatory conditions. CDFW may require information about the purpose of possession, the facility, animal-care arrangements, security, and relevant experience. The precise requirements depend on the permit category and current regulations. A permit should be obtained before the animal is acquired or moved.
Permit availability is not the same as guaranteed approval. A plan intended solely to keep an ostrich at home as a pet may not fit an authorized purpose. Anyone considering a farm, exhibit, educational program, or other operation should describe the intended use accurately and ask CDFW which permit category, if any, applies.
Permits and Other Approvals to Check
State permission is only one part of the process. Before proceeding, an applicant should identify every agency and local authority with jurisdiction over the property and activity.
- CDFW restricted-species authorization: Ask whether an ostrich requires a permit for the proposed purpose, how to apply, and what facility standards and reporting conditions apply. Start with CDFW’s Restricted Species program information.
- City or county zoning: Local land-use rules may prohibit or limit livestock, exotic animals, commercial animal operations, or animal exhibits. Requirements can vary between parcels in the same county.
- Building and fire approvals: A large enclosure, shelter, handling area, or public-access facility may require permits, inspections, or setbacks.
- Animal control and nuisance rules: Local ordinances may address noise, odors, fencing, sanitation, escape prevention, and public safety.
- Animal-health and movement rules: Ask the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and, where relevant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about current requirements for bringing birds into California, disease testing, identification, or movement between premises.
These approvals are separate. A county’s willingness to allow an agricultural use does not replace a CDFW permit, and a state permit does not override local zoning restrictions. Written confirmation is preferable to relying on a seller’s assurance or a verbal answer that may not apply to the specific property.
How to Verify the Rules Before Buying an Ostrich
- Contact CDFW first. Provide the bird’s species, the proposed purpose, its source, and the California location where it would be kept. Ask which current regulation and permit category apply.
- Check the exact parcel with local officials. Contact the planning or zoning department and animal-control agency. Ask whether ostriches are allowed and whether the activity is classified as private keeping, agriculture, exhibition, or a commercial use.
- Confirm animal-health requirements. Ask CDFA and the seller what documentation is required for the bird’s origin, transport, health status, and any applicable disease-control measures.
- Prepare a facility and care plan. Include fencing, shelter, handling, veterinary access, emergency procedures, and arrangements for secure transport.
- Obtain approvals before possession. Do not rely on an application being pending. Confirm that required permits and local approvals are active before an ostrich arrives.
Applicants should keep copies of permits, inspection records, veterinary documents, purchase records, and agency correspondence. If the bird will be displayed to the public or used in a business, they should also ask about any additional business, public-health, or federal requirements.
Why Ostrich Care Requires Specialized Planning
Ostriches are the world’s largest living birds. Adults can be several feet tall and weigh hundreds of pounds, and they can run rapidly. Their size and strength make routine handling, emergency response, and enclosure design substantially different from caring for common backyard poultry. A secure plan protects the bird, staff, visitors, neighbors, and emergency responders.
Ostriches need substantial space, appropriate shelter, suitable footing, and fencing designed to prevent escape and injury. They should not be housed in a typical backyard pen or treated as birds that can safely roam around people. A qualified veterinarian familiar with ratites should be identified before acquisition; access to specialized veterinary care may be limited in some areas.
Diet and husbandry also require species-specific knowledge. Feeding an ostrich improvised household scraps or an unsuitable poultry ration can create health problems. Care plans should be developed with a veterinarian or experienced ratite professional and should account for age, nutrition, breeding status, weather, social needs, and routine health monitoring.
Ostriches can injure people with powerful kicks, particularly when frightened, cornered, or handled incorrectly. Anyone responsible for the birds needs training in safe movement and restraint. Public contact, especially unsupervised contact, adds risk and may raise additional legal and insurance questions.
Ostrich Farming Is Not the Same as Keeping a Pet
Ostriches are raised commercially in some parts of the United States for products such as meat, hides, and feathers, and they may also appear at educational or agricultural facilities. That commercial presence can create the impression that anyone may keep one. In California, however, a farm or exhibit still needs to comply with applicable state wildlife restrictions and local rules.
Calling an ostrich “livestock” does not settle whether CDFW authorization is required. The legal treatment depends on the applicable statute and regulation, the bird’s species, and the specific activity. Likewise, a business license or agricultural zoning approval does not automatically authorize possession of a restricted animal.
Commercial operators should establish the legal basis for possession before investing in birds or infrastructure. They should also check requirements for animal transport, veterinary care, breeding, sales, public access, and any applicable food-processing or animal-health rules. Different activities can trigger different obligations.
What Can Happen if Someone Keeps an Ostrich Without Authorization?
Keeping or moving a restricted animal without required authorization can lead to enforcement action under California law. Depending on the circumstances, consequences may include citations, fines, seizure or removal of the animal, and other penalties. Local zoning or animal-control violations may result in separate proceedings.
An unpermitted owner may also have difficulty finding a lawful placement for the bird if authorities require it to be removed. Ostriches cannot simply be released into the wild: release can endanger the bird, people, and the environment, and may violate additional laws. A person who discovers an improperly kept ostrich should contact the appropriate animal-control agency or CDFW for guidance rather than attempting to capture or relocate it.
Because consequences depend on the facts and the current law, a general article cannot determine whether a particular person or facility qualifies for a permit. Written guidance from CDFW and local authorities is the safest way to resolve a specific case.
Common Questions About Ostrich Ownership in California
Can someone keep an ostrich in a backyard?
Not simply because the property has a yard. State authorization may be required, and local zoning may prohibit the animal or require a particular land use. A typical residential lot is also unlikely to meet the space, containment, and safety needs of an ostrich. The owner should verify both state and local requirements before making plans.
Can someone buy an ostrich in another state and bring it to California?
Buying the bird elsewhere does not remove California’s possession restrictions. Importation and transportation may also be regulated, and animal-health documentation may apply. The buyer should obtain written guidance and all required approvals before the bird is shipped or driven across state lines.
Does an ostrich farm need the same approval as a private owner?
Not necessarily. Permit requirements can depend on the purpose and scale of the operation, and a farm may face additional zoning, business, animal-health, and facility rules. Commercial status alone does not guarantee an exemption from CDFW requirements.
Is an ostrich the same as an emu or another ratite under California law?
No owner should assume the rules are identical. Ostriches, emus, rheas, and cassowaries are distinct birds, and regulations may treat species or activities differently. The exact species should be identified when asking CDFW about a permit.
The Bottom Line on Owning an Ostrich in California
California does not treat an ostrich as an ordinary pet that can be kept without approval. Ostriches are covered by the state’s restricted-species rules, and lawful possession generally requires the appropriate CDFW authorization. Whether a permit is available depends on the proposed purpose and the applicable requirements. Local zoning, animal-care, building, and animal-health rules may apply as well.
Before purchasing, transporting, or accepting an ostrich, prospective keepers should confirm the current rules with CDFW, check the specific property with local officials, and make a realistic plan for secure housing and specialized veterinary care. Agency guidance and regulations can change, so current written confirmation is more reliable than assumptions based on another state or another owner’s experience.