Placentia, CA Animal Ordinances: Coyote Management (2026)

Placentia Municipal Code § 9.20.050 sets out four separate duties. Subsection (a) bars anyone from purposely or knowingly feeding wild animals on public property in the City of Placentia. Subsection (b) reaches private property, but only where the feeding constitutes a public nuisance. Subsection (c) prohibits leaving or storing refuse, garbage, pet food, fruit, meat, dairy, vegetable, grain or other food in a negligent manner likely to feed wild animals. Subsection (d) requires remedial action to end contact or conflict with wild animals, and it names outdoor refuse, cooking grills, pet food and backyard bird feeders as sources to secure or remove when that is necessary to eliminate a public nuisance.

The definitions in § 9.20.010 carry the coverage. To "feed" means to give, distribute, place, expose, deposit or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting, domesticating or enticing wild animals, whether or not wild animals are in the vicinity at the time. A "wild animal" is any non-domesticated species that is not tame or gentle as found in nature. The chapter never uses the word coyote and sets out no cull, trapping program or hazing protocol of its own.

Park rules are tighter. Section 9.20.030 bars hunting, killing, wounding, feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wild animals in any park, sports field, recreational area or open space, except for persons performing official duties or acting in areas designated by the City. Section 9.20.040 adds that feeding a wild animal, including ducks and squirrels, is animal harassment.

Section 9.20.060 exempts landscaping and gardening not done to feed wild animals, baiting feral cats for trapping under an approved Trap-Neuter-Release program, and property owners baiting for trapping when state law authorizes it. Section 9.04.010 adopts the Orange County animal control ordinance by reference, and § 9.04.020 has the county poundmaster act on behalf of the City.