California legal term
zoo in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “zoo” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “zoo” mean in California criminal law?
“zoo” means a permanent or semipermanent collection of living animals kept in enclosures for the purpose of displaying the animals to the public. (Cal. Penal Code § 602.13)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.