Coeur d'Alene, ID Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Section 6.15.040 makes it unlawful to feed or provide food or other attractants (other than ornamental plants or vegetable gardens) to wild animals within the city limits. Definitions in section 6.05.030 decide who is covered and what counts.

WILD ANIMALS are animals, feral or not, native or not, living in a state of nature, including deer, elk, turkeys, ducks, geese, bears, mountain lions, lynx, bobcats, feral cats and other animals classified by the state of Idaho as wildlife. Because feral cats are named in the definition, the ban reaches a backyard feeding station for stray cats as well as a bucket of grain set out for deer.

FEEDING is the intentional depositing, distributing or tending of feed in an area frequented by wildlife, or intentionally allowing another person to deposit, distribute or tend feed on property the owner controls in an area frequented by wildlife. A property owner who lets someone else set out food is therefore covered. FEED is any grain, mineral, salt, fruit, vegetable, hay or other food material, natural or manufactured, that can attract wildlife.

The only exception in the section is feeding birds, other than turkeys, geese and ducks, by utilizing a bird feeder that can be accessed only by birds or squirrels. Turkeys, geese and ducks are excluded from that exception and also appear in the wild animal definition. Ornamental plants and vegetable gardens are outside the ban even though they attract deer.

The stated purpose of Title 6 in section 6.05.020 includes reducing the potential for conflicts associated with urban wildlife. Enforcement follows the same route as the rest of the title: under section 6.05.050 the police chief designates the animal control officers, who can issue citations and notices of violation. Section 6.15.130 separately makes it unlawful to let an animal attack, bite or chase a wild animal.