Aliso Viejo, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Chapter 8.26 is narrow and location-specific. Section 8.26.020 applies in a commercial center, as defined in AVMC 15.94.020, that has an outdoor dining area, and it reaches anyone who feeds a nondomesticated animal or causes one to be fed. Throwing crumbs to birds from a patio table and leaving food out for them both fit the wording.

The chapter defines its own terms. A nondomesticated animal is an animal that is not commonly considered tame and not generally accustomed to living among humans and being raised by humans as pets. An outdoor dining area is any contiguous portion of a restaurant that contains seating for members of the public to consume food or drink out of doors, covered or otherwise outside the confines of the interior premises. The restaurant definition comes from AVMC 15.94.020, and the cross-reference note ties the chapter to the outdoor dining rules in AVMC 15.22.190.

The chapter does not extend to private yards, streets or neighborhoods outside commercial centers. The feeding ban in the City of Aliso Viejo has a second part in Title 11: AVMC 11.10.180 says no person shall hunt, kill, wound, feed, touch, tease, frighten or intentionally disturb wildlife in any designated park or recreational area. Exceptions cover persons performing official duties and areas designated, and conditions established, by the director or, in a private park, the consenting owner.

Chapter 8.26 prints no penalty clause. Its cross-reference points to Chapter 1.06, where section 1.06.010 makes a code violation a misdemeanor unless the prosecutor proceeds as an infraction, and section 1.06.020 counts each day as a separate offense.