Anaheim, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- AMC Sec. 8.12.010, adopted by Ord. 68 in 1891
- Protected species named
- Swallow, mockingbird, blackbird, plus other insectivorous birds
- Prohibited acts
- Kill, maim, wound or destroy
- Exceptions
- None stated in the ordinance
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 and 6 months jail
- Applies
- Within the corporate limits of Anaheim
Summary
Anaheim has banned killing native insectivorous birds since 1891, decades before state and federal wildlife law caught up. AMC Section 8.12.010 makes it unlawful for anyone within city limits to kill, maim, wound or destroy any swallow, mockingbird, blackbird, or other insectivorous bird. The ordinance carries no permit exception and predates the city's current animal-control code by more than a century.
It shall be and is hereby made unlawful for any person or persons to kill, maim, wound or destroy, within the corporate limits of the City of Anaheim, any swallow, mockingbird, blackbird or other insectivorous bird.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
010, was adopted by Ordinance 68 on May 27, 1891, making it one of the oldest surviving provisions in the entire Anaheim Municipal Code, predating the city's automobile, telephone and public library ordinances. " The ordinance names three species outright, swallows, mockingbirds and blackbirds, and then sweeps in any other bird that is insectivorous, meaning it feeds primarily on insects, a category that covers most of the small songbirds common in Anaheim's yards and parks. 12 contains no exceptions for pest control, no permit process, and no carve-out for agricultural use; the prohibition applies uniformly within the corporate limits of the city.
24, it survived the 2022 repeal and re-write of the City's animal ordinances under Ordinance 6529 untouched. 12 sets no penalty of its own: violating it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and up to six months in the City or County Jail, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense. Anaheim residents dealing with birds that raid gardens or roost on structures are expected to use non-lethal deterrents rather than killing the animals outright.
Violations & Fines
Killing, maiming, wounding or destroying a swallow, mockingbird, blackbird or other insectivorous bird within Anaheim is a misdemeanor under the Code's general penalty section, 1.01.370, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Because Chapter 8.12 sets no separate enforcement scheme, an Anaheim police officer or code enforcement officer can cite a violation directly, and each bird killed or each day of ongoing harm can support a separate charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What birds does Anaheim's 1891 ordinance protect?
Is there a permit to remove a nuisance bird in Anaheim?
What happens if someone violates Anaheim's bird protection ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
California rules heatmap·Compare Anaheim to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle bird protection.