Sonoma, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

12 Public Park and Recreation Areas Regulations, makes it unlawful for anyone to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird within land or water owned, managed or controlled by the City of Sonoma. The section also bars removing or possessing the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird. 110, which limits firearms, air rifles, BB guns and other weapons potentially dangerous to wildlife inside parks except under a chief-of-police permit or an approved archery program.

040. Because the ordinance is written into the parks chapter, it governs conduct within land and water owned, managed or controlled by the city, meaning city parks, the Plaza and recreation areas, not private property or unincorporated Sonoma Valley land outside city limits. The rule traces to Ordinance 432, adopted in 1971, and has not been amended since. Anyone who sees a person throwing rocks at ducks on the Plaza pond or disturbing a nest along a city trail should contact the Sonoma Police Department, which can eject the offender on the spot and refer the matter for misdemeanor prosecution.