Riverside County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 6.24.060
- First offense fine
- Up to $100
- Repeat offense fine
- Up to $500
- Exemption
- County-authorized burro rescuers
- Enforced by
- Department of Animal Services
Summary
Riverside County bans feeding or leaving food for wild burros anywhere in the unincorporated county, a direct response to herds migrating into populated areas along roads and rail lines. Animal Services enforces it with fines that escalate per violation.
Except as provided in Section 6.24.060 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to feed, or in any manner, provide food to any burro that is not owned or lawfully possessed by that person.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 84 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code Section 6.24.060, it is unlawful for anyone to feed or provide food in any manner to a wild burro not owned or lawfully possessed by that person, anywhere in unincorporated Riverside County. Section 6.24.070 separately bans harassing, herding, driving, capturing or attempting to domesticate an undomesticated burro. The board of supervisors found that food left by well-meaning residents draws burro herds out of grazing land and into roads and rail corridors, causing collisions. County-authorized animal rescue operations are exempt, and landowners driving burros off crops must notify Animal Services.
Violations & Fines
A first offense is an infraction up to $100; a second within a year up to $200; each additional violation within a year up to $500, payable to the Department of Animal Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed wild burros in Riverside County?
Does the ban apply inside cities like Riverside or Moreno Valley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside County
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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