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ORDINANCE NO. 2025 -_______
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 9.01 , ANIMALS AND
FOWL, OF THE CULVER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A
NEW SUBCHAPTER 9.01.800 ET SEQ. , PRO HIBITING THE
SALE AND USE OF GLUE TRAPS
WHEREAS, a glue trap is a pest control measure comprised of a layer of cardboard, plastic, or wood, that is coated with a non -drying adhesive or shallow tray of adhesive, where the animal becomes trapped in the glue and eventually perishes; and WHEREAS, glue traps are considered cruel because they cause prolonged suffering to animals , due to the animal get ting s tuck and facing a slow death due to dehydration, starvation, or exposure, as the glue is non-lethal and does not kill instantly; and WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control warns that glue traps should not be used, as animals stuck in glue continue to produce urine and feces through which pathogens such as hantavirus can be spread to humans; and WHEREAS, other non-pest creatures, including lizards, birds, and small non - invasive animals, may get caught in the traps, and suffer the same fate; and WHEREAS, glue traps are ineffective in managing rodent populations as they do not address the underlying issues causing infestation or reasons why pests are present , and there are many reasonably priced pest control alternatives to glue traps available locally and online that do not involve prolonged suffering or capture of non-intended creatures; and WHEREAS, there has been movement nationwide to phase out the sale and use of glue traps ; and l ocally, the cities of West Hollywood and Ojai have already passed glue trap bans.
NOW, THEREFORE , the City Council of the City of Culver City, California, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN , as follows:
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SECTION 1 . Subc hapter 9. 01.800, et seq. of Chapter 9.01 of the Culver City Municipal Code is hereby added as follows:
Sale and Use of Glue Traps Prohibited
§ 9.01.800 Purpose
§ 9.01.805 Definitions
§ 9.01.810 Glue Trap Prohibitions
§ 9.01.815 Enforcement and Penalties
§ 9.01.800 PURPOSE .
The purpose of this Subchapter is to prohibit the sale and use of Glue Traps which are designed to capture animals and subject them to a slow, cruel, inhumane death.
§ 9.01.805 DEFINITIONS .
For the purpose of this Subchapter , the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Animal. Any vertebrate or invertebrate animal, such as birds, rodents, reptiles, and insects.
Glue Trap. 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.
Person. A natural person.
Regulated Entity. Any business (regardless of whether it consists of a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or any other manner of organization) or association, group or organization (regardless of the manner of organization and regardless of whether conducted on a profit or not -for profit basis).
Sell or Sale. Any transfer, exchange, barter, gift, offer for sale or distribution for a commercial purpose in any manner or by any means whatsoever.
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§ 9.01.810 GLUE TRAP PROHIBITIONS .
A. It is unlawful for any regulated entity or person to sell, offer for sale, or display for sale, Glue Traps within the City of Culver .
B. It is unlawful for any regulated entity or person to set, place, or otherwise use a Glue Trap or permit another person or regulated entity to set, place, or use a Glue Trap to capture or kill any animal within the City of Culver City . § 9.01.815 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES .
A. A violation of any of the provisions of this Subc hapter shall be deemed a misdemeanor, subject to the penalties as set forth in §1.01.040 of this Code.
B. Nothing in this Subchapter shall prevent the City Attorney from prosecuting a violation of this Subchapter as an infraction, at their discretion, as set forth in § 1.01.035 .B. of this Code subject to the penalties as set forth in §1.01.040 of this Code .
C. Nothing in this Subchapter shall prevent the City Attorney from bringing a civil action, at their discretion, for violations of the provisions of this Subchapter, as set forth in § 1.01.050 of this Code.
D. A violation of any of the provisions of this Subc hapter may be enforced through the administrative citation process set forth in Chapter 1.02 of this Code.
SECTION 2. The purpose of this Ordinance is to prohibit the use and sale of Glue Traps which are designed to capture animals but subject them to a slow and inhumane death. Other methods of rodent control are still available to City residents. The Ordinance is not subject to the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This Ordinance is not a “project” within the meaning of Section 15378 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (State CEQA Guidelines) because prohibiting the use of sale of glue traps within Culver City has no potential for resulting in direct or indirect physical change in
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the environment, as other forms of rodent control remain available. The approval of the Ordinance does not constitute a project under CEQA pursuant to Section 15378(b)(5) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which provides that organizational and administrative activities of governments that will not result in physical changes in the environment are not considered projects for CEQA purposes.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby declares that, if any provision, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, phrase or word of this Ordinance is rendered or declared invalid or unconstitutional by any final action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason or any preemptive legislation, then the City Council would have independently adopted the remaining provisions, sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, phrases, or words of this Ordinance, and as such they shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. Pursuant to Section 619 of the City Charter, this Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption. Pursuant to Section 616 and 621 of the City Charter, prior to the expiration of fifteen (15) days after the adoption, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be published in the Culver City News and shall post this Ordinance or a summary thereof in at least three (3) places within the City.
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2025.
DAN O’BRIEN, Mayor
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JEREMY BOCCHINO HEATHER BAKER
City Clerk City Attorney