Corpus Christi, TX Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Sec. 6-163 (Feeding of animals) makes it an offense to 'intentionally feed any animal or make food available for animal consumption' when the feeding creates a danger to public health or safety, destroys public or private property, or causes more than ten adult animals to congregate. Sec. 6-163(b) defines feeding broadly: a person 'shall be deemed to have fed an animal if the person places food in any form... within reach of animals,' which covers leaving food out for stray cats, feral colonies, or wildlife like feral hogs, raccoons, or waterfowl as much as it covers a formal feeding station.

The ordinance carries a built-in exception at Sec. 6-163(d): it does not apply to 'any animal... being fed by an owner or keeper as defined in this chapter's definitions,' so a resident feeding their own pet is not covered. It also has a property-owner protection at Sec. 6-163(e): if the feeding happens on a vacant or abandoned lot, the city must notify the last known owner, and criminal trespass citations against the person feeding animals there require the property owner's permission.

Violations are enforced under Sec. 6-163(c) 'subjected to citations following section 6-2, Penalties,' which is Chapter 6's general penalty: a fine of not less than $50 plus court costs and not more than $500 plus court costs, treated as a strict-liability offense with each day a separate violation under Sec. 6-2(a)-(c).