Hawthorne, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Unlike some California cities, Hawthorne does not appear to have a dedicated 'no feeding wildlife' ordinance in its animal code. The Title 6 chapters that govern animals - including Animal Nuisances - focus on conditions that disturb neighbors or create unsanitary or unsafe situations rather than a flat prohibition on feeding wild animals. As a result, feeding strays, feral cats, pigeons, or other wildlife is most likely to be regulated when it produces a nuisance: accumulation of food waste, odors, rodent attraction, or large numbers of congregating animals that interfere with neighboring properties. Such conditions can be cited under the Animal Nuisances provisions and the city's general nuisance/property-maintenance authority. Because Hawthorne is a built-out urban city in Los Angeles County, wildlife concerns are typically coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and rodents; intentional feeding that draws these animals into residential areas raises public-safety and health issues even without a specific feeding ban. Statewide, the California Fish & Game Code and Fish and Wildlife regulations restrict feeding of big game mammals and discourage feeding that habituates wildlife. Residents are best advised to avoid feeding wild animals, secure trash and pet food, and direct nuisance complaints to Hawthorne Code Enforcement or Animal Control. Anyone wanting certainty on the current rules should ask the city directly, since codes are periodically amended and a feeding-specific provision could be added.