Clovis, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

520 does not ban bird feeding outright; feeding backyard birds in a way that causes no listed harm remains lawful. But it converts feeding into a code violation the moment it produces any of several specific effects. The ordinance lists harmful health and/or sanitation conditions, property damage, sidewalks made unsightly or unsafely slippery from droppings or spilled feed, animal dependency on the food source, and the attraction of coyotes, squirrels, rats, or other vermin as automatic triggers. It also reaches noise and other disturbances: if feeding creates a disturbance sufficient to disrupt the peace and comfort of two or more persons of ordinary sensitivity from different surrounding households, the feeding itself becomes unlawful even if no animal-related harm is otherwise shown.

519's separate ban on feeding feral cats or feral cat colonies, showing the City treats uncontrolled outdoor feeding, of birds or cats, as a public health and nuisance issue rather than a wildlife-protection one. 01, which makes any violation a misdemeanor unless the Code specifically labels it an infraction or the City Attorney elects to charge it as one. Animal Services or Code Enforcement can act on a neighbor complaint documenting vermin, sanitation problems, or the two-household disturbance threshold; there is no permit or exemption process built into the section for residents who want to keep feeding despite a complaint.