Wildlife Feeding: Fontana vs Hesperia
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Fontana, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Hesperia has fewer restrictions than Fontana.
Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Fontana prohibits feeding wild animals under Chapter 18 nuisance rules and Chapter 4 animal provisions. Feeding coyotes, raccoons, and skunks draws them into yards and is treated as a nuisance even without a named wildlife-feeding ordinance.
View full Fontana rules →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia Municipal Code does not contain a stand-alone ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife. The City's Wild Animals page warns residents about Mojave rattlesnakes, mountain lions, Africanized bees and mosquitoes and directs nuisance-wildlife complaints to Animal Control (760) 947-1700, but it does not impose a feeding ban. State law fills the gap: California Fish & Game Code §4150 makes it unlawful to harass non-game mammals (which includes feeding that habituates them), and 14 CCR §251.1 prohibits harassing wildlife in a manner that disrupts their normal behavior. Feeding bears, mountain lions and coyotes is specifically discouraged by CDFW because it creates public-safety hazards subject to depredation permits or destruction under §4181.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fontana | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| Code | FMC Chapter 18 and Chapter 4 | - |
| Targeted Species | Coyotes, raccoons, skunks, bears, deer | - |
| Common Attractants | Trash, pet food, fallen fruit | - |
| Bird Feeders | Generally allowed | - |
| Report | Animal Services (909) 350-7651 | - |
| Local feeding ban | - | None in Hesperia Municipal Code |
| State authority | - | Cal. Fish & Game Code §4150; 14 CCR §251.1 |
| High-desert hazards | - | Mojave rattlesnake, mountain lion, coyote, Africanized bees |
| Animal Control contact | - | (760) 947-1700 |
| Depredation authority | - | Fish & Game Code §4181 (CDFW) |
| Nuisance attractants on private property | - | Hesperia Title 8 property-maintenance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fontana FAQ
Can I put out food for stray cats?
This can cross into a nuisance if it draws wildlife or increases cat populations. Check with Animal Services about TNR programs instead.
Are squirrel feeders okay?
Usually, but not if the feeder is also drawing raccoons or rats. A feeder that causes a rodent nuisance becomes a Chapter 18 issue.
Hesperia FAQ
Is it illegal to feed coyotes in Hesperia?
There is no specific Hesperia ordinance, but feeding that habituates non-game mammals can be charged under Cal. Fish & Game Code §4150 / 14 CCR §251.1 and creates a public-safety hazard.
Can I have a bird feeder?
Yes — songbird feeders are not regulated. Avoid attractants that draw bears, coyotes or rats; messy seed accumulations can become a property-nuisance issue under Title 8.
What about feeding feral cats?
Hesperia's animal-control rules do not ban feeding feral cats, but maintaining a colony may trigger licensing/spay-neuter obligations in Title 6 (e.g., §6.04.010 licensing).
What if a mountain lion or bear is in my neighborhood?
Call Hesperia Animal Control (760) 947-1700 or CDFW. Do not feed it — that can lead to a §4181 depredation order against the animal.
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