Laguna Niguel, CA Animal Ordinances: Coyote Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Core rule
- No feeding coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions
- Also covers
- Raccoons, foxes, skunks, opossums, rabbits, hares
- Applies to
- Wild animals and vector animals citywide
- Exceptions
- Vets, rehabilitators, permitted animal caretakers
- Default penalty
- Infraction, escalating to misdemeanor on repeat
- Enforcement path
- Complaint investigation under § 10-1-36
Summary
Rather than run culls or a hazing program, the City of Laguna Niguel manages coyote conflict by banning the behavior that draws predators into neighborhoods: Municipal Code § 10-1-40 makes it unlawful to feed coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions or other wild and vector animals anywhere in the city.
No person shall feed or in any manner provide food for wild animals or vector animals including, but not limited to, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions or rodents. In further amplification, this section also includes a prohibition on the feeding of animals, including, but not limited to, wild raccoons, foxes, skunks, opossums, rodents, rabbits or hares. This section does not apply to the feeding of animals under the care of a licensed veterinarian, or rehabilitator, or those kept in the City of Mission Viejo Animals Services Center, or by those kept by an individual who has been authorized by permit or license to care for and feed such animals.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-1-40, in the animal control title's general provisions article, prohibits feeding or in any manner providing food for wild animals or vector animals, naming coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and rodents specifically before extending the same ban to wild raccoons, foxes, skunks, opossums, additional rodents, rabbits and hares. The section is the city's primary tool for reducing coyote and mountain lion habituation to residential areas near the San Joaquin Hills open space, since intentional or incidental feeding is what draws large predators close to homes and pets in the first place.
The ordinance carves out three narrow situations where feeding is not a violation: animals under the care of a licensed veterinarian, animals under the care of a rehabilitator, and animals kept at the City of Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, plus anyone who holds a permit or license specifically authorizing them to care for and feed such animals. Enforcement runs through the animal services division that administers this title for the city, which can investigate a complaint under Section 10-1-36 and, if a violation is found, pursue prosecution under Section 10-1-37 in the city attorney's discretion, ranging from an infraction up to an administrative or misdemeanor criminal complaint.
Because coyote and predator feeding is charged as a violation of this title rather than a separate nuisance chapter, a repeat offender who commits two other violations of the animal title within the same year faces the enhanced misdemeanor exposure set out in Section 10-1-34.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 10-1-40 is prosecuted under Section 10-1-37 at the city's discretion, from an infraction up to a misdemeanor. Section 10-1-34 sets the general rule that a first offense against this title is an infraction, but any violation becomes a misdemeanor once the same person has two other separate violations of the title within the prior year, and each day the feeding continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Laguna Niguel run a coyote hazing or cull program?
Is feeding raccoons or skunks in my yard also illegal?
What happens if I get caught feeding coyotes repeatedly?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Laguna Niguel
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