Avondale, AZ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Avondale does not need a separate city ordinance to prohibit wildlife feeding because Arizona's statewide statute already applies. S. 13-2927 states that 'this section applies in a county with a population of more than two hundred eighty thousand persons,' a threshold Maricopa County (where Avondale is located) exceeds. Within such counties it is unlawful to feed, attract, or otherwise entice wildlife into an area, and the offense is classified as a petty offense. The statute excludes 'normal agricultural or livestock operational practices' and the feeding of tree squirrels and birds, so backyard bird feeders are allowed - best practice is to keep feed in an enclosed yard or on a platform that catches spilled seed so it stays available only to birds and tree squirrels.

The law exists because feeding habituates coyotes, javelina, and other animals to humans, leading to conflicts and, in some cases, the animals having to be removed. Arizona Game and Fish actively warns residents against feeding wildlife. Violations are commonly enforced with fines up to a few hundred dollars, and repeated wildlife-attraction can also draw a criminal-nuisance citation. Residents experiencing wildlife conflicts should contact Arizona Game and Fish rather than feeding or trying to relocate the animals themselves.