Ventura, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Primary authority: CCR Title 14 §251.1 - 'no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame bird or mammal,' with harassment defined as intentional disruption of breeding, feeding or sheltering. CDFW has stated repeatedly (most recently in Living with Wildlife guidance) that this provision criminalizes intentional feeding of mammals such as deer, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and squirrels because the feeding alters their natural behavior. Songbird feeders (sunflower, suet, nectar) are widely tolerated provided they do not become a rodent attractant. Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. §703) and Cal. Fish & Game Code §3503 prohibit take/harassment of native migratory birds and their nests. Mountain lion contact: Cal. Fish & Game Code §4800 et seq. (fully protected) - any intentional baiting is a misdemeanor. Bear: Cal. Fish & Game Code §4150-4155 - feeding triggers depredation issues. Local overlay: SBMC Div. 11 controls activity in City parks and beaches; intentional wildlife feeding that creates unsanitary or nuisance conditions can be cited as a public nuisance under SBMC Div. 7. The City sits within the Santa Clara River corridor and adjacent to coastal/hillside habitat, so coyote and deer interactions are common - residents are directed to CDFW's Keep Me Wild program. Outdoor pet food, fallen fruit, and unsecured trash are functionally treated as 'feeding' if they sustain wildlife populations.