San Clemente Municipal Code Ch. 6.28 Wild, Exotic, Nondomesticated Animals

No person shall keep or maintain any wild, exotic or non-domesticated animal within the boundaries of the cities served by the authority without first obtaining a permit from the general manager. In addition to all information required in the application, the applicant shall substantiate to the satisfaction of the general manager the following facts:

A. That the wild/exotic or non-domesticated animal at the location proposed shall not jeopardize, endanger, or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety or general welfare;

B. That the proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the number and type of animals for which the permit is requested without harm to the animals or material detriment to the use, enjoyment or valuation of the property of other persons located in the vicinity of the site; and

C. Is in compliance with applicable zoning regulations and other laws.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

The fee for a wild/exotic or non-domesticated animal license shall be set by resolution of the city councils served by the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

No person owning or having charge, custody or control or possession of any wild/exotic or non-domesticated animal, or while operating any wild animal establishment, shall permit or allow the same to run at large upon public or private property in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any person lawfully entering such premises.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

This article shall not apply to any wild/exotic or non-domesticated animal caged in a safe and humane manner while being transported through the cities served by the authority or while such animal is within the cities served by the authority under the control of a circus, carnival, traveling show, or collection of animals for exhibition licensed by the cities served by the authority.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

The general manager may revoke any such permit for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

It shall be unlawful for any person to have, keep, or maintain any hive or swarm of bees within the city without a permit. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the keeping of bees within an educational institution for study or observation or within a physician's office or laboratory for medical research, treatment, or other scientific purposes, provided they are not permitted to fly at large.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

No person shall feed or in any manner provide food for non-domesticated mammalian predators such as coyotes (Canis latrans). This section shall also include a ban on feeding raccoons, foxes, skunks and opossums.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

The following are exceptions to the prohibition set forth in Section 6.28.070:

A. When an owner is in legal possession of a non-domesticated animal that is kept under a valid license issued by the authority or cities served by the authority; or

B. When a person provides food and water for a trapped, injured or un-weaned non-domesticated animal during the time the agency in charge is notified and the animal has been picked up.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)

A. Definitions.

"Feed" means purposely providing food, including but not limited to grain, seeds, greens, bread crumbs, and other miscellaneous food scraps intended for pigeon ingestion.

"Pier", for the purposes of this section, means the San Clemente Municipal Pier.

"Wild pigeon" means the common pigeon, Columba Livia, also known as the Rock Dove, in its wild state.

B. Pigeon Feeding Prohibited. .....No person shall feed any wild pigeons on the San Clemente Municipal Pier.

C. Enforcement. .....The above Section is enforceable by San Clemente Police Services, Coastal Animal Services Authority or other authorized City of San Clemente employees or members of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Offenders are subject to fines.

D. Fine Schedule. .....For violations of this section, a first offense shall be punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) and a second offense within a period of one year, shall be punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) and a third or subsequent offense within a one-year period, shall be punishable by a fine of two hundred dollars ($200.00). Administrative fines contained in Chapter 1.20 of the San Clemente Municipal Code shall apply.

(Ord. No. 1797, § 1, 11-4-2025)