Maricopa County and Arizona Game and Fish follow a coexistence model for urban coyotes. Residents are urged to haze coyotes, secure food sources, and protect small pets. Feeding coyotes or other wildlife violates state nuisance and wildlife rules backed by AZGFD enforcement.
Coyotes are common throughout Maricopa County, particularly near washes, golf courses, and desert preserves bordering the Valley. The county and Arizona Game and Fish (AZGFD) advise hazing — yelling, waving arms, throwing objects — to keep coyotes wary of people. Healthy non-aggressive coyotes are not relocated; AZGFD only intervenes for sick, injured, or genuinely aggressive animals. Feeding coyotes or leaving pet food, fallen citrus, or unsecured trash that attracts them violates AZGFD wildlife-feeding rules and most municipal nuisance codes. Owners should keep small pets leashed, supervised in yards, and indoors at dawn and dusk. Discharging firearms inside city limits to kill coyotes typically violates separate weapon-discharge laws.
Intentionally feeding coyotes or leaving attractants can prompt AZGFD warnings and county code-enforcement notices. Repeat violations may escalate to civil citations under municipal nuisance ordinances. Killing a coyote inside a city without authorization may violate firearm-discharge and wildlife laws.
Tempe, AZ
Tempe regulates industrial noise through Chapter 20 (Noise) of the City Code and the Zoning and Development Code. Industrial uses must not generate noise exc...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe addresses barking dogs under both the noise ordinance (Chapter 20) and animal control regulations. Dogs that bark persistently and disturb neighbors ca...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt driveways. Parking on dirt, gravel, or landscaped areas is prohibited. ...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe generally does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding 6 feet, masonry walls, and fences...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's Zoning and Development Code regulates fence materials in residential zones. Common permitted materials include block, stucco, wrought iron, wood, vin...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's zoning code limits residential fence heights to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3 feet in front yards. Corner lots may have additional visibility t...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle coyote management.
See how Tempe's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.