Ventura, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 20.200
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2002-29, 12-9-02
- Covered zone
- Within 500 ft of mean high tide
- Animals named
- Squirrels, pigeons, rats, feral cats
- Penalty escalation
- Infraction; 4th+ violation = misdemeanor
Summary
In the City of Ventura it is unlawful to feed squirrels, pigeons, rats or feral cats along the waterfront, defined as within 500 feet of the Pacific Ocean's mean high tide. Adopted in 2002, the ban targets nuisance animals near the pier, harbor and beaches, with penalties that escalate from an infraction to a misdemeanor.
It is unlawful for any person to feed, offer food, or in any manner provide food as sustenance to any nondomesticated animal, including squirrels, pigeons, rats, or feral cats, along the waterfront within the limits of the city of San Buenaventura. ... “waterfront” means any public way or place within 500 feet of the mean high tide of the Pacific Ocean including but not limited to any public: beach, promenade or dock area fronting waterways or the beach, rip/rap or areas posted with a sign prohibiting the feeding of nondomesticated animals pursuant to this chapter. ... a violation of this chapter shall be an infraction; provided, however, that a fourth or additional violation by the same person regardless of the time of occurrence shall constitute a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-008, passed May 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
200, adopted by Ordinance No. 2002-29 on December 9, 2002, makes it unlawful for any person to feed, offer food, or in any manner provide food as sustenance to any nondomesticated animal, including squirrels, pigeons, rats, or feral cats, along the waterfront within the limits of the city. 020 defines "waterfront" as any public way or place within 500 feet of the mean high tide of the Pacific Ocean, including public beaches, the promenade, dock areas fronting waterways or the beach, riprap, or any other area posted with a sign prohibiting the feeding of nondomesticated animals under this chapter, so the city can extend the zone with signage beyond the base 500-foot line.
The ordinance covers the Ventura Pier, Ventura Harbor and the ocean-facing beaches, and applies regardless of whether the feeding is intentional handouts or leaving food out that draws rats, pigeons, squirrels or feral cats. 200's defined waterfront zone. 030 rather than the civil-penalty chapter used elsewhere in the code, and the code sets an unusually blunt escalation: it does not require the violations to occur within any set window of each other before the misdemeanor tier applies.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Chapter 20.200 is charged as an infraction under Section 20.200.030 for the first, second and third offense. A fourth or additional violation by the same person, regardless of how much time has passed since the earlier violations, is elevated to a misdemeanor. Ventura Police and code enforcement officers can cite anyone feeding wildlife within the defined waterfront zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed pigeons at Ventura Harbor?
What counts as "waterfront" under the ordinance?
What happens if someone is caught feeding wildlife more than once?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle wildlife feeding.