You can keep pet quail in California, but the species matters. Coturnix quail (also called Japanese quail) are legal to own with no state wildlife permit because they don’t exist in the wild here and fall outside the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s jurisdiction over game birds.1State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Outdoors Q&A – Can I Keep and Raise Quail as Domesticated Game Birds? California’s three native quail species are different: keeping them requires a Domestic Game Breeder’s License, and trapping them from the wild is illegal.
Which Quail You Can Keep Without a Permit
Coturnix quail sit in their own legal category. Because they aren’t found in the California wild, CDFW does not classify them as a game bird and they are not listed under the Domestic Game Breeder’s License.1State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Outdoors Q&A – Can I Keep and Raise Quail as Domesticated Game Birds? You can buy them, keep them in your yard, hatch their eggs, and eat the eggs without a state wildlife permit. Bobwhite quail, whose native range is the eastern and central United States, also don’t live wild in California and likely fall outside the licensing requirement, though CDFW’s published guidance names Coturnix specifically.
The three native species are the story’s other half. Mountain Quail, California Quail, and Gambel’s Quail are all protected. California Fish and Game Code Section 3513 makes it illegal to take or possess any migratory bird designated under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and all three fall under that umbrella.2California Legislative Information. California Code, FGC 3513 Section 3503 separately protects the nests and eggs of all birds in the state.3California.Public.Law. California Fish and Game Code Section 3503 Trapping a wild California Quail from your backyard and caging it is not a legal option.
When a Domestic Game Breeder’s License Is Required
If you want to keep any of California’s native quail species in captivity, or any other game bird that lives wild in the state, you need a Domestic Game Breeder’s License once you’ve had the birds for more than 30 days.4California Legislative Information. California Code, FGC 3200 It applies whether you’re running a commercial operation or keeping a small pet flock. The 30-day clock starts when you acquire the bird.
For the 2026 calendar year, a Class 1 license costs $28.84 and covers operations selling 175 or fewer ring-necked pheasants a year, or other game birds at a comparable scale. A Class 2 license runs $143.17 for larger operations. Both fees include a nonrefundable 3% application surcharge capped at $7.50.5State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Domesticated Game Breeder’s License
Three conditions come attached to the license:
- Your birds must come from another licensed game breeder. Wild-caught starter stock is illegal.1State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Outdoors Q&A – Can I Keep and Raise Quail as Domesticated Game Birds?
- You must report the live birds in your possession each year.1State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Outdoors Q&A – Can I Keep and Raise Quail as Domesticated Game Birds?
- You cannot sell game bird carcasses without a valid license, even if the birds began as pets.5State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Domesticated Game Breeder’s License
Coturnix-only keepers can ignore all of this. That’s a big part of why Coturnix are the standard choice for backyard quail in California.
Penalties for Illegal Possession
The consequences are not trivial. Violating the nest and egg protections under Section 3503 carries a fine of up to $5,000, up to six months in county jail, or both. Fish and Game Code misdemeanors without a specific penalty assigned default to a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.6California Legislative Information. California Fish and Game Code Section 12002 The Class 1 license costs under $30.
You Cannot Release Quail Into the Wild
When you’re done keeping quail, you can’t turn them loose. California regulations require written permission from the Fish and Game Commission before releasing any non-native wild animal, including domestically reared birds that could be diseased, genetically harmful to native wildlife, or not previously established in the state before 1955.7Cornell Law School. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, Section 671.6 – Release of Animals into the Wild
The regulation names Coturnix and Bobwhite quail specifically: releasing either species requires a valid permit signed by the CDFW director before the release.7Cornell Law School. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, Section 671.6 – Release of Animals into the Wild If you can no longer care for your birds, the legal option is rehoming them to another keeper. Domesticated quail set loose in unfamiliar habitat also have no survival instincts against wild predators.
City Rules and HOA Restrictions
State law is only the first layer. Local municipal codes and zoning regulations can add their own rules for domestic fowl, and CDFW explicitly directs quail owners to check local laws.1State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Outdoors Q&A – Can I Keep and Raise Quail as Domesticated Game Birds? Many California cities cap the number of birds you can keep, require minimum distances between coops and property lines, restrict male birds because of noise, or require an annual permit.
If your neighborhood is governed by a homeowners association, the CC&Rs may prohibit poultry entirely even where your city allows it. HOA rules are private contracts and can be enforced with fines or forced removal. Read them before buying a single bird.
One neighbor-relations note: male Coturnix do crow. They’re quieter than roosters, but the sound carries in the early morning. Keeping only hens is the friendlier setup if you don’t plan to breed.
Biosecurity and Disease Reporting
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and virulent Newcastle Disease (VND) are ongoing threats to backyard birds in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture runs a Sick Bird Hotline at 1-866-922-BIRD (2473) and asks bird owners to report signs of illness promptly.8California Department of Food and Agriculture. Backyard Biosecurity for Poultry Early reporting is what keeps a local case from becoming a regional outbreak.
The USDA recommends a handful of practical steps for home flocks:9USDA APHIS. Protect Your Poultry From Avian Influenza
- Wash hands and scrub boots before and after handling your birds. Disposable boot covers help with visitors.
- Quarantine any newly purchased bird, or one returning from a show, for 30 days before it joins your existing flock.
- Keep migratory waterfowl and other wild birds away from the enclosure, and secure feed and water so wildlife can’t contaminate them.
- Limit who comes onto your property and has contact with your flock. Other poultry owners are a common vector.
Housing and Basic Care
Quail are ground-dwelling and don’t need a tall roost, but they do need a predator-proof enclosure. Wire mesh on all sides, including the bottom, keeps rats and snakes out. The top matters as much as the sides: quail flush straight upward when startled and can injure themselves against a hard ceiling, so many keepers use soft netting or fabric overhead. Good ventilation matters because quail are prone to respiratory issues in enclosed spaces.
Feed a commercial game bird formula. Laying hens need supplemental calcium, and crushed oyster shell in a separate dish is the standard approach. Fresh greens, vegetables, and the occasional mealworm work as treats but should stay under about 10% of total intake. Fresh water daily is non-negotiable; quail foul their water quickly, so nipple waterers or raised dishes help. Spot-clean droppings daily and change bedding at least weekly.