SoCal HOA Rodent Control Rules: What Homeowners Need to Know

Homeowners associations throughout Southern California are increasingly restricting or prohibiting rodenticide bait for gopher and rodent control on common area and individual lot landscaping. This trend is driven by concerns about pet safety, wildlife protection, and liability — the same reasons Gopher Guys has always used only mechanical trapping.

Why HOAs Are Restricting Rodenticide

Several factors are pushing Southern California HOAs away from chemical rodent control:

• Pet safety complaints: HOA members with dogs and cats have raised concerns — and in some cases filed complaints — after pets were sickened by rodenticide bait used on common areas.
• Wildlife protection: Raptors including owls and hawks are beloved in many SoCal communities. Secondary poisoning deaths of these birds create bad press and community conflict.
• California regulations: California has been tightening restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). Some products are now restricted for non-commercial use.
• Liability: HOAs that use rodenticide bait on common areas may face liability if a resident's pet is poisoned.

What HOA Rules Typically Cover

HOA CC&Rs and pest control policies vary widely, but common provisions include:

• Requiring all pest control work to be done by licensed, insured contractors
• Restricting or prohibiting rodenticide bait on common areas or within a certain distance of play areas and pet zones
• Requiring chemical-free methods in areas accessible to pets and children
• Requiring advance notice to neighboring homeowners before any pesticide application

How Chemical-Free Trapping Solves HOA Conflicts

Mechanical gopher trapping is fully compliant with even the most restrictive HOA pest control policies because it involves no chemicals, no pesticide application, and no risk of secondary poisoning. When Gopher Guys serves an HOA community, there are no notification requirements, no waiting periods, and no risk of member complaints about poison exposure.

We serve HOA communities throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Call 909-599-4711 to discuss your community's needs.