Chico, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban
- No feeding wild/domestic animals in park
- Exception
- Fowl at Horseshoe Lake & Deer Pen
- Exception
- Owners may feed their own pet
- Penalty class
- Misdemeanor or infraction
Summary
Chico bans feeding wild or domestic animals anywhere in Bidwell Park, with narrow exceptions for feeding fowl at Horseshoe Lake and the Deer Pen and for owners feeding their own controlled pet.
Except as provided in subsection B, below, no person shall feed or cause the feeding of any wild or domestic animals within Bidwell Park. No person shall leave food or containers of food for the purpose of feeding any animals within Bidwell Park. Unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter, feeding of fowl at Horseshoe Lake and the Deer Pen, and feeding of a domestic animal by its owner or handler, while under the owner or handler's control, is permitted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico Municipal Code § 12.18.260 makes it unlawful to feed, or leave food for the purpose of feeding, any wild or domestic animal within Bidwell Park. The ban covers deer, geese, waterfowl elsewhere in the park, and stray or feral animals alike. Two exceptions apply: feeding of fowl is permitted specifically at Horseshoe Lake and the Deer Pen, and a person may feed their own domestic animal while it remains under their control. The rule sits within the park's broader Article V health-and-safety regulations alongside restrictions on fires, glass containers, and animal control.
Violations & Fines
Feeding wildlife outside the Horseshoe Lake/Deer Pen fowl area is a misdemeanor or infraction under § 12.18.465, enforceable by criminal citation or administrative citation from the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed the ducks at Horseshoe Lake in Chico?
Can I feed deer or squirrels elsewhere in Bidwell Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
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