Santa Cruz County, CA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCCC § 6.17.010
- Covers
- Rats, mice, wild rodents/vermin, public places
- Excludes
- Indoor domesticated pet rodents
- Permission needed
- Written OK from Director of Animal Services
- Penalty class
- Infraction under § 6.17.020
- Adopted
- Ordinance 5388, 2022
Summary
Feeding rats, mice, or other wild rodents and vermin in any outdoor public place in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, including streets, sidewalks, parks, and beaches, is prohibited under SCCC § 6.17.010. The rule targets the vector-control risk of rodent feeding stations and applies to adults who let a minor do the feeding too.
It is prohibited on any street or sidewalk, or in any other outdoor place open to the public including but not limited to parks and beaches, to feed any wild rodent or vermin, or to place or release food which may be consumed by wild rodents or vermin, without the express written permission of the Director. It is also prohibited for any adult to allow any minor in their care or custody to allow such feeding by the minor. As used in this section, the terms "wild rodent" and "vermin" include rats and mice but do not include domesticated pets that reside indoors on the private premises of the owners.
Full Breakdown
17, Wild Rodents and Vermin, was added by Ordinance 5388 in 2022 to address rodent and vector-control problems in the unincorporated county's public spaces, from beach parking lots in Live Oak to sidewalks in Boulder Creek. 010 makes it unlawful, without the Director's express written permission, to feed any wild rodent or vermin, or to place or release food that a wild rodent or vermin may consume, on any street or sidewalk or in any other outdoor place open to the public, including but not limited to parks and beaches.
The section defines "wild rodent" and "vermin" to include rats and mice, but expressly excludes domesticated pets that live indoors on their owner's private premises, so an indoor pet rat or hamster is not covered. As with the waterfowl-feeding chapter, an adult may not allow a minor in their care or custody to do the prohibited feeding on their behalf. 020 sets the penalty: a violation of the chapter is an infraction. 070 for repeated feeding at the same location.
Violations & Fines
A violation of SCCC § 6.17.010 is an infraction under § 6.17.020. Under the Title 6 fine schedule in § 6.24.080(A), a first offense carries a fine up to $100, a second violation of the same provision within a year up to $200, and each further repeat within that year up to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put out food for rats or mice near the beach?
Does this rule apply to my pet rat at home?
What happens if I get cited for feeding rodents in a public place?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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