Tucson sits in active Sonoran Desert coyote habitat. City code prohibits feeding wildlife, and Arizona Game and Fish Department handles aggressive-coyote calls. Residents are expected to haze, not feed, and to secure pets and trash.
Coyotes are common across Tucson neighborhoods adjacent to washes, foothills, and Saguaro National Park. Tucson Code Chapter 4 and Pima County wildlife rules prohibit intentional feeding of wildlife, which conditions coyotes to people and elevates conflict risk. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is the lead agency for nuisance or aggressive coyotes; Tucson Police generally refer reports to AZGFD or PACC depending on whether a domestic animal was attacked. Recommended practice is to haze (yell, wave arms, throw small objects), keep small pets leashed, secure trash, and remove pet food and water bowls overnight.
Feeding coyotes or leaving food out for wildlife can trigger civil citations under the wildlife-feeding rule and may be cited as an attractive nuisance during repeat-offender enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Tucson, AZ
Tucson has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations on residential property. Tucson Code Chapter 16 (Neighborhood Pr...
Tucson, AZ
Tucson has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, height, lighting hours, and blower noise are governed by HOA CC&Rs. Tu...
Tucson, AZ
Tucson has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animated displays are governed by HOA CC&Rs in master-planne...
Tucson, AZ
Tucson requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, plumbing, electrical wiring, or structural roofs through the Planning and Development S...
Tucson, AZ
Tucson has no specific city ordinance regulating residential smokers or pellet grills. Smoke nuisance may be addressed under Tucson Code Section 16-31 (exces...
Tucson, AZ
Tucson Fire Department enforces the International Fire Code with local amendments. Per Tucson's BBQ and Open Flame Devices handout, 20-lb propane cylinders m...
See how Tucson'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.