Wildlife Feeding: Hesperia vs Ontario
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Hesperia, CA and Ontario, CA?
Hesperia has fewer restrictions than Ontario.
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 →Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario discourages wildlife feeding under its nuisance rules and CA F and G Code 251.1. Intentional feeding of coyotes, raccoons, and similar wildlife can be declared a public nuisance and attractants must be removed.
View full Ontario rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hesperia | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| State Law | - | CA F and G Code 251.1 |
| Coyote Feeding | - | Discouraged and often illegal |
| Local Tool | - | Nuisance abatement |
| Bird Feeders | - | Allowed if kept clean |
| Main Concern | - | Pet food and open trash attractants |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Ontario FAQ
Can I feed the coyotes I see in my neighborhood?
No. Feeding coyotes is treated as illegal harassment under state law and as a nuisance under city code. It habituates them and increases the risk of attacks on pets and people.
Are bird feeders allowed in Ontario?
Yes if kept clean and not attracting nuisance wildlife like rats, raccoons, or skunks. Remove feeders if they cause complaints.
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