Cathedral City, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Chapter 11.36 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code is one section, § 11.36.010, titled Wildlife protected. It reaches three acts within the city: killing, capturing and molesting any species of wildlife, plus damaging the nest or eggs of any wildlife. The only carve-out printed is for any poisonous reptile or insect. Because the text says any species of wildlife, it prints no list of protected birds, and nests and eggs are protected by name.

The section also holds a permit path. If the city manager or an authorized representative determines that wildlife has become a menace to any person's health, safety or property, the city manager shall issue a permit authorizing any person to kill or capture the wildlife. The determination belongs to the city manager, so the authorization comes from the city and not from a property owner's own judgment. Even with a permit, the final sentence applies: in no event shall any person use or employ poison or diseased material to kill or capture wildlife.

Inside city parks and recreation areas a second rule applies. Section 11.44.060(W) bars anyone from hunting, frightening, chasing, setting snares for, catching, injuring or destroying any animal or bird, and from destroying, removing or disturbing the young or eggs of the same. The city manager, the manager's authorized representatives and park attendants can eject and expel a violator under § 11.44.020, and a person who is ejected cannot return to the same park or building during that calendar day unless permitted. Chapter 11.44 applies to all park and recreation areas under city control, including grounds, roadways, parks, buildings and school facilities while in use as recreational facilities (§ 11.44.010). Elsewhere in Cathedral City, § 1.01.205 makes violating a code provision an infraction unless the code designates it a misdemeanor.