Thousand Oaks discourages wildlife feeding due to the city's extensive interface with natural areas including the Santa Monica Mountains. Feeding that attracts predatory wildlife may violate city nuisance provisions and state Fish and Game Code.
Thousand Oaks is situated at the wildlife-urban interface with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Conejo Open Space, and numerous natural corridors. This proximity makes wildlife feeding a significant public safety concern. While no specific stand-alone ordinance bans wildlife feeding, creating nuisance conditions through feeding falls under the city's general nuisance abatement provisions. Coyote encounters are common and the city actively educates residents about coexistence strategies that exclude feeding. Mountain lion activity in hillside neighborhoods further underscores the prohibition on feeding predatory wildlife. The city participates in the National Park Service wildlife corridor programs and supports the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing project. Feeding feral cats must follow Ventura County Animal Services TNR program guidelines. Bird feeding is generally permitted but should avoid creating rodent attraction.
Feeding wildlife that creates nuisance conditions: notice to abate within 10-30 days, followed by fines of $100-$500 for non-compliance. Feeding predatory wildlife (coyotes, bears, mountain lions) may violate California Fish and Game Code. Property owners may be liable for injuries from wildlife attracted through feeding. Contact Thousand Oaks PD at (805) 494-8200 for wildlife emergencies or Animal Services at (805) 388-4341.
Thousand Oaks, CA
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