Palm Springs, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Municipal Code Chapter 11.36, Wildlife Protection
- Core ban
- No killing, capturing or molesting wildlife or nests/eggs
- Poison ban
- Poison or diseased material never allowed to kill wildlife
- Removal permit
- Only the city manager may permit removal of a menace
- Sanctuary status
- Entire city designated a wildlife sanctuary
- Park overlap
- Sec. 11.44.060(23) separately bans hunting birds in city parks
Summary
Palm Springs bans killing, capturing or molesting any wildlife species, including birds, and damaging nests or eggs anywhere in the city, with the whole city designated a wildlife sanctuary under Chapter 11.36. Only the city manager can permit removal of wildlife that has become a genuine health or safety menace.
No person shall kill, capture or molest any species of wildlife or damage the nest or eggs of any wildlife within the city, except any poisonous reptile or insect; provided, however, that if it shall be determined by the city manager, or his authorized representative, that wildlife has become a menace to any person's health, safety or property, the city manager shall issue a permit authorizing such person to kill or capture such wildlife. In no event shall any person use or employ poison or diseased material to kill or capture wildlife. ... The city is designated as a wildlife sanctuary and signs bearing the legend "PALM SPRINGS IS A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY" may be placed at appropriate locations within the city limits.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
010 makes it unlawful for any person to kill, capture or molest any species of wildlife or damage the nest or eggs of any wildlife within the city, with a narrow carve-out for poisonous reptiles or insects. The ordinance protects birds as part of its blanket wildlife coverage: any bird species, its nest and its eggs fall within any species of wildlife. The only lawful route to remove problem wildlife is a permit from the city manager or an authorized representative, issued after a determination that the animal has become a menace to any person's health, safety or property; even then, the code bars anyone from using or employing poison or diseased material to kill or capture the wildlife, so a permit cannot authorize poisoning. 020 designates the entire city as a wildlife sanctuary and authorizes signs reading PALM SPRINGS IS A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY at appropriate locations. 36.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 11.36 does not carry its own fine schedule in the sections reviewed, so killing, capturing, molesting or poisoning wildlife, including birds, falls under the code's general penalties: prosecution as a misdemeanor under Sections 1.01.140 and 1.01.150, punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in jail under Section 1.01.160, or as an infraction with escalating fines under Section 1.01.155.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to disturb a bird's nest in Palm Springs?
Can a homeowner remove a nuisance bird or animal themselves?
Does Palm Springs really call itself a wildlife sanctuary?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Springs to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle bird protection.