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Council extends 24‑month variance allowing four HOAs to use firearms for rabbit control
Summary
Mission Viejo approved reissuing a 24‑month variance permitting four homeowners associations to manage rabbit control, including controlled firearm use under specified conditions; staff recommended changing the time-window language to require compliance with California law.
The City Council unanimously approved a staff recommendation to reissue a 24‑month variance allowing four homeowners associations (Casa del Sol, Mission Viejo Environmental Association, Palmea Master Association, and Trace Vistas Association) to use authorized methods, including firearms under controlled circumstances, for rabbit control on HOA property.
Paul Katzamanis summarized background: the city originally issued a variance that included specific shooting hours; staff recommended replacing those time‑specific conditions with a requirement that shooting times comply with California law. Staff said site inspections confirmed reported landscape damage and that three associations had used the previous variance for rapid control activities. The Trace Vistas Association has not previously used the variance but requested to retain the option.
Two in‑person speakers supported the renewal. June Anderson, a Casa del Sol board member, said the program controls the rabbit population humanely and reduces turf damage. Kathy Palmer told the council she prefers humane measures and argued that shooting is an efficient method for managing certain pest animals, noting concerns about secondary toxicity from poisons.
Council approved the variance extension with the staff’s recommended edits to conditions; the motion passed unanimously.
