Riverside, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- RMC § 9.12.040
- Bans
- Shooting, trapping, poisoning wild birds/gray squirrels
- Also protects
- Nests, eggs, and young of covered wildlife
- Exception 1
- Non-native/ground squirrels per state law
- Exception 2
- Members-only private gun clubs
- Related section
- § 9.12.050 lets Council authorize crop-damage removal
- Last amended
- Ord. 7283 § 1, 2015
Summary
RMC § 9.12.040 makes it unlawful within Riverside to shoot, trap, snare, wound, poison, or kill any wild bird or wild fowl, or take their nests, eggs, or young, and extends the same protection to gray squirrels and other state- or federally-protected squirrels.
It is unlawful within the city to shoot, trap, snare, wound, poison or kill any wild bird or wild fowl of any kind, or to take or destroy the nests or eggs or young of the same, or of any gray squirrel or any squirrel protected by state or federal fish and wildlife regulatory agencies; other ground or non-native tree squirrels may be taken in compliance with this municipal code and state law. This section shall not apply to shooting a wild fowl at bonafide gun, rifle, pistol or shotgun clubs maintained as a private game reservation for the use and enjoyment of members only, which clubs shall be subject to regulation by ordinance of the City Council.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
" The section carves out two narrow exceptions. First, "other ground or non-native tree squirrels may be taken in compliance with this municipal code and state law", so non-native or ground squirrels outside state/federal protection are not covered. Second, the ban does not apply to shooting wild fowl at a bona fide gun, rifle, pistol, or shotgun club maintained as a private game reservation for members only, though such clubs remain subject to separate City Council regulation. 050, lets the City Council authorize, by resolution, the temporary destruction of birds found to be damaging crops or property, providing a narrow administrative release valve distinct from the criminal prohibition.
040 was last amended by Ord. 7283 § 1 in 2015, building on Ord. 110, since the chapter sets no separate fine schedule for wildlife offenses.
Violations & Fines
Shooting, trapping, snaring, wounding, poisoning, or killing a wild bird or protected squirrel in Riverside, or destroying its nest, eggs, or young, violates § 9.12.040 and is prosecuted under the Code's general penalty clause, § 1.01.110, as a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in County jail, or as an infraction (up to $250) at the City Attorney's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to trap wild birds in my Riverside backyard?
Are squirrels protected under this Riverside ordinance?
Can a private gun club shoot wild fowl in Riverside?
What if birds are damaging my crops or property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside 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.