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San Francisco, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing code
Police Code § 486
Covers
Sidewalks, streets, highways
Special rule
No feeding Red Masked Parakeets in parks
Added by
Ord. 268-64; amended Ord. 133-07

Summary

It is unlawful to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal on a San Francisco sidewalk, street, or highway under Police Code Section 486, with an added citywide ban on feeding Red Masked Parakeets in parks.

It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal in or on any sidewalk, street or highway of the City and County of San Francisco. It shall be unlawful to feed or offer food to any Red Masked Parakeet in any park of the City and County of San Francisco.

Source: CA Fish & Game Code 251.3View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Police Code Section 486 makes it unlawful for any person to feed or offer food to any bird or wild animal on any sidewalk, street, or highway of the City and County of San Francisco. The section separately bans feeding Red Masked Parakeets in any city park. This citywide prohibition on public rights-of-way is distinct from the narrower Park Code Section 5.07 feeding ban, which covers wild-by-nature animals inside parks specifically.

Violations & Fines

Feeding a wild bird or wild animal on a public sidewalk, street, or highway violates Police Code Section 486 and is enforceable as a Police Code infraction/misdemeanor by SFPD or Animal Care and Control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to feed pigeons on a San Francisco sidewalk?
Yes. Police Code Section 486 bans feeding or offering food to any bird or wild animal on any city sidewalk, street, or highway.
Can I feed the wild parrots in a San Francisco park?
No. Section 486 specifically makes it unlawful to feed or offer food to any Red Masked Parakeet in any San Francisco park.

Sources & Official References

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All San Francisco rules

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