Davis, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Where it applies
- City open space areas
- Prohibited acts
- Hunt, harm, kill, harass wildlife
- Exception
- Authorized city maintenance/pest control
- Penalty
- Infraction, max fine by law
- Related ban
- Hunting and firearms also barred
Summary
Davis bans hunting, harming, killing, or harassing wildlife, including birds, in the city's open space areas. The rule sits alongside separate bans on hunting and firearms in those same areas, and a violation is an infraction under the same article.
Except for authorized city maintenance, construction or pest control activities, no person using an open space area shall hunt, harm, molest, kill or harass any wildlife found on that property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4915048; v22 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
140 of the Davis Municipal Code protects wildlife found in city open space areas from being hunted, harmed, molested, killed, or harassed, with an exception only for authorized city maintenance, construction, or pest control activity. Because birds are wildlife, this section is the operative city rule shielding songbirds, waterfowl and raptors that use Davis's open space network from being harmed or harassed by visitors. 080, which bans possessing firearms there except for law enforcement. 030 to restrict boating that could disturb wildlife on the water.
220 may eject from open space or recreation areas any person violating these rules and confiscate property used in a way that endangers people or wildlife. This wildlife protection does not extend citywide; it applies specifically to designated city open space areas, not to private yards, agricultural land outside city limits, or the University of California Davis campus, which is state property under separate university authority.
Violations & Fines
Anyone who hunts, harms, kills, or harasses wildlife, including birds, in a Davis open space area violates Section 27.03.140 and, under Section 27.03.230, is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding the maximum penalty prescribed by law upon conviction. City staff can also eject a violator from the area on the spot under Section 27.03.220 and confiscate equipment being used to endanger wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Davis have a bird-specific protection ordinance?
Can I be fined for disturbing birds in a Davis open space area?
Does this rule cover birds on the UC Davis campus?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis
California rules heatmap·Compare Davis to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Yolo County handle bird protection.