Sierra Madre Municipal Code Ch. 6.10 Feeding of Wildlife Prohibited

Feeding wildlife is both detrimental to wildlife health and causes a public health nuisance and safety hazard that negatively impacts public health and welfare.

(Ord. No. 1453, § 2(Exh. A), 4-26-22)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

"Feed" means to give, distribute, place, expose, deposit, or scatter any edible material that results in feeding, attracting, or enticing wildlife. Providing contained water is also included. Feeding does not include baiting in the permitted and legal functions of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in accordance with federal, state, and local law.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.

"Wildlife" means only bears, coyotes, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, birds of prey, and feral cats.

(Ord. No. 1453, § 2(Exh. A), 4-26-22)

A. No person shall feed wildlife in the City of Sierra Madre, on lands either publicly or privately owned.

B. No person shall leave or store any refuse, garbage, pet food, seed or birdseed, fruit, meat, dairy, vegetable, grain, or other food or water in a negligent manner likely to feed wildlife.

C. No person shall fail to take remedial action to cease contact or conflict with wildlife. Remedial action may include, but is not limited to, securing or removing outdoor refuse, securing or removing outdoor refrigerators or freezers, removing bird feeders, removing fruit tree litter, eliminating standing water, eliminating composting activities, or any other similar food source or attractant, after being advised by a City of Sierra Madre code compliance officer, or maintaining such remedial action as directed.

(Ord. No. 1453, § 2(Exh. A), 4-26-22)

The prohibitions in Section 6.10.040 do not apply to:

A. Landscaping, gardening, and/or maintaining vegetable gardens, fruit and nut trees, or other plants so long as such activities are not conducted to feed wildlife as defined in this article and are not determined by the code enforcement officer to be an attractant to wildlife.

B. Any state or local employee or agent authorized to implement wildlife management and/or scientific research program involving baiting or any other person or business lawfully authorized to bait and trap wildlife pursuant to state law.

C. Any person who is the legal owner or guardian of a wildlife species maintained and confined under a valid license or permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in compliance with all applicable laws.

D. Any person who feeds trapped, injured, or orphaned wildlife between the times that a wildlife rehabilitator or agency charged with animal control is notified and the animal is picked up. Such feeding activity must be under the direction or approval of the wildlife rehabilitator or agency.

(Ord. No. 1453, § 2(Exh. A), 4-26-22)

In addition to all other available remedies at law, this article may be enforceable through the use of the administrative citation procedures set forth in Sierra Madre Municipal Code Chapter 1.18.

(Ord. No. 1453, § 2(Exh. A), 4-26-22)