Irvine, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Sec. 4-5-1110, adopted by Ord. No. 09-10 on September 22, 2009, prohibits feeding or in any manner providing food for wild mammalian predator animals such as coyotes, bobcats or mountain lions. The same section extends the ban to wild raccoons, foxes, skunks, opossums, rodents, rabbits or hares, and waterfowl: covering nearly every wild species residents might be tempted to feed in a suburban setting. The only exceptions are feeding done by a veterinarian, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, staff caring for animals at the City's Animal Care Center, or an individual specifically authorized by permit or license to care for and feed such animals.

The prohibition sits in Chapter 11, Humane Treatment of Animals, alongside related bans on abandoning animals (Sec. 4-5-1101) and poisoning animals (Sec. 4-5-1102), reflecting the City's broader approach of regulating human-wildlife interaction through direct prohibitions rather than a discretionary permit or hazing program. Enforcement runs through Chapter 13: Sec. 4-5-1301 makes any violation of this division a misdemeanor and treats each day a violation continues as a separate offense. Sec. 4-5-1303 also authorizes a Code Enforcement Official to issue an administrative citation stating the Code section violated, the fine amount, and the procedure to request a hearing, giving the City a civil enforcement track alongside criminal prosecution.