Bakersfield experiences regular coyote sightings near foothills, river corridors, and outlying subdivisions. The city follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance focused on hazing, pet protection, and avoiding food-source attractants.
Bakersfield Animal Care and Fish and Wildlife handle coyote concerns using a tiered response. Routine sightings are not removed; instead the city promotes hazing techniques such as shouting, waving arms, and using whistles to reinforce coyote fear of humans. Residents must avoid leaving pet food, fallen fruit, and trash accessible. Cats and small dogs should be kept indoors or supervised, especially at dawn and dusk. Aggressive coyotes that lose fear of humans may be trapped and dispatched after a documented public-safety threat. Feeding wildlife is prohibited.
Feeding coyotes or leaving attractants violates Bakersfield Code Chapter 6 wildlife rules with fines up to 500 dollars and possible state Fish and Wildlife citations for harassing protected animals.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code 6.04.230 prohibits keeping any animal, bird, or fowl that by sound or cry unreasonably disturbs the peace or interferes with the c...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 9.22 prohibits any loud, unnecessary noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, or that causes discomfort...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not generally ban overnight street parking, but BMC 10.40.010 makes it unlawful for any vehicle (operable or not) to remain parked on a publ...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not restrict year-round lawn ornaments (statues, gnomes, flamingos, religious figures, sports themes) on residential property. There is no p...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not regulate residential inflatable holiday displays by size, lighting, or motor noise. They qualify as seasonal decorations exempt under BM...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield's outdoor lighting standards exempt seasonal decorations as long as they are not in use for more than 60 consecutive days. Residential lots zoned...
See how Bakersfield's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.