Brentwood, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Wildlife management in Brentwood is governed primarily by California Fish and Game Code and CDFW regulations, with local enforcement provisions in BMC Chapter 6.04 and county code. Feeding deer, coyotes, turkeys, or other wildlife is prohibited because it habituates animals to humans and creates public-safety issues. Trapping or relocating wildlife generally requires a CDFW depredation permit; homeowners can legally exclude wildlife from structures using non-lethal barriers. Coyote encounters are handled by "hazing" (loud noises, waving arms) under CDFW guidelines; CDFW removes only those animals showing clear aggression toward humans. Mountain lion sightings are reported to CDFW and Brentwood PD. Protected species (hawks, owls, songbirds, bats) cannot be disturbed under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Wildlife rehabilitation should be handled by Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek. The proximity to the Los Vaqueros Watershed and Round Valley Regional Preserve means Brentwood residents occasionally encounter a wide range of East Bay wildlife.