Newport Beach, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- General feeding ban
- Any non-domesticated animal, citywide
- Permit exception
- County/state/federal-permitted feeding only
- Waterfowl-specific rule
- Within 1/2 mile of Newport Bay/ocean
- Boat operator duty
- Post chapter, notify passengers
- Governing chapter
- NBMC Chapter 7.30
Summary
Feeding any non-domesticated animal anywhere in Newport Beach is unlawful, with a narrow exception for animals fed under a valid county, state, or federal permit. A parallel rule separately bans feeding waterfowl on or near Newport Bay.
It is unlawful for any person to feed or provide food to any non-domesticated animal. (Ord. 2006-4 § 1 (part), 2006) It shall not be a violation of Section 7.30.010 of this chapter for a person to feed or provide food to a non-domesticated animal when the non-domesticated animal is maintained, treated or fed pursuant to a valid certificate or permit issued by the County of Orange, the State of California, or an agency of the United States Government.
Full Breakdown
010: it is unlawful for any person to feed or provide food to any non-domesticated animal, without geographic limitation, meaning it applies to coyotes, raccoons, deer, and other wildlife anywhere in the city, not just near the harbor. 020 narrows that only slightly: feeding a non-domesticated animal is not a violation if the animal is maintained, treated or fed under a valid certificate or permit issued by the County of Orange, the State of California, or a federal agency, covering situations like licensed wildlife rehabilitators. 040 to post a copy of the chapter and notify passengers of its requirements. 050.
Violations & Fines
Violating the general wildlife-feeding ban in Section 7.30.010 is enforced by the city, though Chapter 7.30 does not spell out a specific penalty class beyond general Title 7 infraction enforcement; the related waterfowl-feeding ban in Section 7.26.030 requires the city to issue a warning with educational material for a person's first and second violations before any administrative citation follows, under Section 7.26.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed wildlife in Newport Beach?
Are there any exceptions to Newport Beach's wildlife feeding ban?
Does Newport Beach have a separate rule about feeding ducks or gulls near the bay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Newport Beach to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle wildlife feeding.