Washoe County prohibits keeping, harboring or feeding high-risk rabies vectors -- bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes -- on private property. Feeding these animals can force their relinquishment to authorities. Nevada also discourages feeding big game to protect public safety.
Washoe County Code 55.645 bans intentionally keeping, harboring, caring for, lodging or feeding on private property a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote 'or any other high-risk transmitters of rabies as defined by the health authority.' Violators must, on request of the rabies-control authority and the Nevada Division of Wildlife, relinquish the animal. Chapter 55 does not otherwise ban feeding songbirds or squirrels, but attracting wildlife can trigger nuisance (WCC 55.120) enforcement. Statewide, the Nevada Department of Wildlife strongly discourages feeding deer, bears and other big game near residences in the Truckee Meadows/Tahoe area.
Feeding or harboring a prohibited high-risk rabies vector may result in mandatory relinquishment to the rabies-control authority or Nevada Division of Wildlife. Habitual wildlife feeding creating a nuisance is separately enforceable under WCC 55.120.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Washoe County, NV
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See how Washoe County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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