San Francisco Wildlife Ordinances & Trapping Liability
San Francisco’s unique topography—interweaving dense urban neighborhoods with green spaces like Golden Gate Park, the Presidio of San Francisco, and Mount Sutro—creates intense wildlife conflicts. Skunks, raccoons, coyotes, and Roof Rats easily migrate from these habitats directly into residential attics and backyards in the Sunset District and Richmond District.
The greatest liability for San Francisco homeowners isn’t property damage; it is the legal exposure of handling nuisance wildlife illegally. If you rent, attempting DIY trapping or exclusion can violate your lease, while landlords have strict legal duties to perform structural exclusion (see our San Francisco Tenant Rights Guide). For severe cases involving financial hardship, explore San Francisco Pest Assistance Programs.
The California Catch & Dump Ban: Under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 465.5, it is strictly illegal to trap and relocate furbearing mammals (raccoons, skunks, opossums) off your property. Legally trapped animals must be either released immediately on the site where caught or euthanized.
San Francisco Wildlife Navigation:
Unlicensed Trappers near Pacific Heights & The Presidio
Avoid “budget” handyman trappers offering cheap trap-and-release services in San Francisco. If an unlicensed individual captures a skunk on your property and illegally dumps it in the Marin Headlands or another county area, the Department of Fish & Wildlife can trace the liability back to you. Professionals must hold a CDFW Trapping License AND a Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) Branch 2 license to seal the access points legally.
Jurisdiction Warning: City and County Consolidation
Unlike other parts of California, the City and County of San Francisco operate as a single consolidated entity. San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SFACC) handles public right-of-way issues across the entire city. However, if you live in an unincorporated area of neighboring San Mateo County or Marin County, you must rely on their respective animal control services.
State Law & Municipal Overlap
“(g)(1) Immediate Dispatch or Release. All furbearing and nongame mammals that are legal to trap must be immediately killed or released. Unless released, trapped animals shall be killed by shooting where local ordinances, landowners, and safety permit… (h) Relocation. It is unlawful to relocate any trapped furbearing or nongame mammal.”
3 Authorities Managing San Francisco Wildlife
City, County, and State authorities divide wildlife management based on the severity of the threat and its location. Use the matrix tool below to identify who to call.
Jurisdiction & Liability Matrix
Detailed San Francisco Authority Directory
San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SFACC)
Local / CitySan Francisco Animal Care and Control is a taxpayer-funded agency that responds to wildlife calls only if the animal is visibly sick, injured, orphaned, or confined within the immediate living space of a home posing a direct safety threat. They also handle dead animal pickups via 311.
Jurisdiction Limits:- Will NOT enter attics, crawlspaces, or walls to remove healthy wildlife.
- Will NOT trap healthy coyotes roaming through neighborhoods.
SF Dept of Public Health – Vector Control
Local / CityThe Environmental Health Branch handles outbreaks of disease-carrying pests. They will inspect severe exterior rat infestations or mosquito breeding sources and can enforce abatement on public or private properties if a health threat exists.
Jurisdiction Limits:- Will inspect exterior neighborhood complaints and advise property owners.
- Will NOT conduct interior residential rat trapping or exclusions.
CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife (Bay Delta Region)
StateCDFW enforces Title 14 trapping laws statewide. They are the overarching authority for large predators and manage the licensing for all commercial trappers operating in San Francisco. They step in when urban wildlife poses a severe, systemic threat that local municipalities cannot handle.
Jurisdiction Limits:- Strictly handles large predator incidents and poaching.
- Enforces illegal “catch and dump” violations by unlicensed trappers.
SF Wildlife Trapping & Liability FAQ
No. California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 465.5 makes it illegal to relocate wildlife off your property. Trapped animals must be euthanized or released immediately on the exact property where they were caught to prevent the spread of disease to native populations in protected areas.
Coyotes are native and frequent the greenbelts and parks in San Francisco. SF Animal Care & Control will generally only respond if a coyote is actively attacking a person or pet. For general sightings, secure your trash and remove outdoor pet food. For aggressive pack behavior, contact the CDFW Bay Delta Region.
No. SF Animal Care & Control does not perform structural evictions on private property. You must hire a licensed private trapper who holds a CDFW trapping license and a Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) Branch 2 license to safely seal the access points. If you rent, your landlord is responsible under California habitability laws; see our San Francisco tenant rights guide for details.
Need a Fully Permitted Wildlife Professional?
Do not hire unpermitted handymen. Ensure your contractor holds both an SPCB Branch 2 license and a CDFW Trapping Permit to avoid legal liability for illegal dumping.
View Verified San Francisco Exterminators & Trappers