San Diego County discourages feeding wildlife in unincorporated areas. Feeding coyotes is prohibited under County Code. Attracting nuisance wildlife through feeding can be cited under nuisance abatement provisions. California law also restricts feeding certain species.
The County discourages all wildlife feeding in unincorporated areas due to habituation concerns. Feeding coyotes is specifically prohibited under County regulations and California Fish and Game Code Section 251.1. Intentionally feeding other wildlife that creates a public nuisance (raccoons, skunks, feral cats, rodents) may be cited under the County's nuisance abatement provisions. Bird feeding is generally permitted but should be done responsibly. The County periodically issues advisories about wildlife interactions, especially regarding coyotes, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes in wildland-urban interface areas. Wildlife that becomes habituated to human feeding may be euthanized by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Feeding coyotes is a misdemeanor. Creating a nuisance through wildlife feeding may result in citations and required abatement. Fines vary by violation.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle wildlife feeding.
See how Elfin Forest's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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