San Diego follows a coyote coexistence approach. Animal Services urges hazing and attractant removal. SDMC §44 prohibits feeding wildlife. California Department of Fish and Wildlife rules forbid relocating healthy coyotes; depredation permits are reserved for confirmed-aggressive animals.
San Diego Animal Services, run for the city by San Diego Humane Society, manages coyotes through a coexistence framework rather than removal. Residents are expected to haze coyotes by yelling, waving arms, banging objects, or spraying water so the animals retain a healthy fear of people. SDMC Chapter 4 Article 4 prohibits intentionally feeding wildlife, including putting out food or leaving pet bowls outside overnight. Under the California Fish and Game Code and CDFW policy, healthy coyotes cannot be trapped and relocated; only confirmed-aggressive animals or those that have attacked pets can be removed under a CDFW depredation permit. Owners must supervise small pets, especially at dawn and dusk.
Feeding wildlife is a citable infraction under SDMC §44 with escalating fines per offense. Trapping or relocating a healthy coyote violates California Fish and Game Code, exposing the trapper to state-level fines and possible loss of any depredation permit issued.
San Diego, CA
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San Diego, CA
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See how San Diego's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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