AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SUBCOMMITTEE
Agoura Hills City Hall - City Manager's Conference Room 30001 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, California 91301
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
4:00 PM
Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices during the meeting.
NOTE: The Subcommittee and City staff will be participating in this meeting in-person in the City Manager's Conference Room. Members of the public have the opportunity to participate in-person in the conference room.
For public participation on items listed on this Agenda, refer to "Public Comments" below.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (PUBLIC COMMENT)
Option A: To provide public comments in-person at the meeting Members of the public have an opportunity to attend the meeting in-person and speak or submit a written comment on any item listed on this Agenda. Public testimony is limited to three (3) minutes per speaker; a speaker’s time may not be transferred to another speaker. Written public comments submitted at the meeting are not read aloud by staff.
To request to speak in-person at the meeting. The Subcommittee will open the floor for public comment and any in-person attendee who raises their hand will have the opportunity to speak. Public testimony is limited to three (3) minutes per speaker; a speaker's time may no be transferred to another speaker.
Option B: To submit written public comments by e-mail (prior to the meeting) Members of the public have an opportunity to submit email correspondence on any item listed on the Agenda by sending an email to: [email protected]. All public correspondence received by 3:00 p.m. on the meeting date will be provided to the Subcommittee prior to the meeting. Public comments are not read into the record. Any public comments received after 3:00 p.m. on the meeting day will not be considered as part of the Subcommittee’s deliberations or entered into the official record, but will be provided to the Subcommittee the next day.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Mayor Jeremy Wolf
Councilmember Chris Anstead
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(This section is reserved for persons wishing to address items not listed on the Agenda that are under the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Please refer to “Public Participation” above for full details on how to speak or submit written public comments under this category.)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Introduction of Ordinance to Prohibit the Use and Sale of Glue Traps within the City of Agoura Hills
SUBCOMMITTEE OR STAFF COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Date Posted: September 3, 2026
REPORT TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SUBCOMMITTEE
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
TO: HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUBCOMMITTEE FROM: NATHAN HAMBURGER, CITY MANAGER
BY:
MARY HADDAD, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
JANE HOOVER, ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE
SUBJECT:
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE AND SALE OF GLUE TRAPS WITHIN THE
CITY OF AGOURA HILLS
Glue traps, also known as a sticky board or glue board, are composed of a layer of cardboard, plastic, or wood that is coated with a non-drying adhesive, or a shallow tray of adhesive. When rodents or other pests come into contact with the adhesive, they become trapped and are generally unable to free themselves. Animal welfare organizations have raised concerns that trapped animals can experience prolonged distress, injury, dehydration, starvation, or suffocation.
Glue traps are most commonly used to control rodents, but they can also unintentionally capture other animals, including birds, snakes, squirrels, and domestic animals such as cats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also cautioned against the use of glue traps due to potential health concerns associated with trapped animals urinating and defecating while confined.
Glue traps are primarily used by homeowners, produce processors, and pest management companies to control rodent populations. Glue traps are commonly used for rodents. While the larger glue traps designed to capture vertebrate animals such as rats tend to be the most problematic due to the increased likelihood of capturing larger animals or multiple animals, smaller glue traps designed to capture invertebrate animals such as ants, flies, insects, and cockroaches present similar dangers. These glue traps are smaller in size and typically contain some sort of cover, such as a tent on the top, to prevent other animals from being captured in the glue. Insects or other small animals caught in these traps also sustain injuries in an attempt to free themselves or eventually succumb to their injuries in a similar and humane fashion to the larger animals in glue traps. Therefore, all glue traps, regardless of their size or intended victim, pose animal welfare and health concerns.
At the request of Mayor Jeremy Wolf, staff is developing a proposed ordinance to prohibit the sale and use of glue traps within the City of Agoura Hills. The proposed ordinance is intended to address animal welfare concerns while encouraging the use of alternative pest-control methods.
Agoura Hills would join other California communities that have taken action to prohibit the sale and/or use of glue traps, including West Hollywood, Ojai, Ventura, Laguna Beach, and Culver City. Other jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., Eugene, Oregon, and Cartersville, Georgia, have also prohibited their use in certain settings.
Additionally, according to PETA, more than 100 airports nationwide have also prohibited the use of glue traps.
PETA also reports that major corporations such as Target, CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens have stopped selling certain types of glue traps in their stores.
Alternatives to Glue Traps:
There are a number of alternative pest-control methods that can be used in place of glue traps. For rodents, alternatives may include snap traps, live-capture traps, and electric traps. Snap and electric traps are designed to provide a more immediate method of dispatch, while live-capture traps allow an animal to be removed from the area.
For insects and other small pests, alternatives may include enclosed traps, catch-and-release devices, and other targeted pest-control methods. Proper sanitation, sealing entry points, and removing food and water sources can also help reduce pest activity and may prevent the need for traps altogether.
Community and Business Outreach:
If the ordinance is adopted, the City's Communications team will work with local businesses, pest-management professionals, and the community to provide information about the new requirements and available alternatives to glue traps.
Outreach efforts may include educational materials, social media, the City's website, and direct communication with businesses that may currently sell or use glue traps. The goal will be to provide clear information about the ordinance, explain the rationale behind the ban, and help residents and businesses transition to effective alternatives.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Environmental Responsibility Subcommittee review and provide feedback on the proposed approach to prohibiting the sale and use of glue traps in Agoura Hills.
Attachments
Ordinance DRAFT Glue Traps.pdf
DRAFT ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AGOURA HILLS AMENDING THE AGOURA HILLS
MUNICIPAL CODE ARTILE CHAPTER, BY ADDING SECTION TO PROHIBIT THE USE
AND SALE OF GLUE TRAPS AND APPROVING A DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION
UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AGOURA HILLS DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, in accordance with evolving standards of morality, scientific discovery, and human experience, the Agoura Hills City Council recognizes animal rights to prevent unnecessary suffering due to glue traps and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to the city, whenever possible, to protect the public health and welfare, including local wildlife, all of which increases the sustainability and quality of life for Agoura Hills residents and visitors.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AGOURA HILLS HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The above set forth recitals and findings are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference, as if set forth herein in full.
Section 2. Code Amendment. A new Chapter X is hereby added to the Title X of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code to read as follows
Section X: Use and Sale of Glue Traps.
“. – Definitions
A. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply.
1. "Animal" as used in this chapter shall mean any vertebrate or invertebrate animal, such as rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects.
2. “Glue Trap” shall mean a device that is designed to or is capable of being used to capture any animal by means of an adhesive substance or similar viscid substance.
3. "Person" includes a natural person, a corporation, a partnership, limited partnership or other unincorporated association, a general partner of a partnership or limited partnership, a limited liability company, a public entity, a trust or any other corporate form cognizable under California law.
2 4. “Sell” or “sale” Shall mean any transfer, exchange, barter, gift, offer for sale, or distribute for a commercial purpose in any manner or by any means whatsoever. “. – Prohibitions.
1. It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or display for sale glue traps within the city of Agoura Hills after (Insert date – one year after effective date)
2. It is unlawful to set, place, or otherwise use a glue trap or permit another person to set, place, or use a glue trap to capture or kill any animal within the city of Agoura Hills after (Insert date – one year after effective date)
“. – Enforcement.
1. Peace officers, code enforcement officers, and other persons designated by the City Manager shall enforce this section. The City Manager may publish written regulations in the manner required by law for the publication of ordinances and may take any and all other actions, rational and necessary, to enforce this chapter.
2. Any person violating any provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction as provided in Title X, Chapter X, Section X of this Code.
3. In addition to any other remedies available by law and under this Code, a violation of this Chapter is subject to the administrative enforcement provisions of Section X of this Code.
4. The remedies specified in this chapter shall be cumulative and the City may resort to any other remedy available at law or in equity. Resort to any one remedy shall not cause an election precluding the use of any other remedy with respect to a violation.
5. The City Attorney may seek injunctive, legal, or other equitable relief to enforce this chapter.
Section 3. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, City staff determined that the adoption of the proposed Ordinance is exempt from environmental review under CEQA pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061( b)( 3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Municipal Code amendments would have a significant impact on the environment. The Municipal Code amendments are minor policy changes, by way of imposition of regulations on a product that has other forms of rodent control remaining available. A Notice of Exemption has been prepared and will be filed in accordance with CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines.
Section 5. Severability Clause. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstances, is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases of this Ordinance, or its 3 application to any other person or circumstance. The City Council declares that it would have adopted each section, subsections, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases hereof be declared invalid or unenforceable.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect thirty days after adoption.
Section 7. Certification. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same or a summary thereof to be published and posted in the manner required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this th day of 2026, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: ( )
NOES: ( )
ABSENT: ( )
ABSTAIN: ( )
_______________________________
Jeremy Wolf, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Kimberly M. Rodrigues, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________
Candice K. Lee, City Attorney