Folsom, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- 14 CCR §251.3
- Pet Food
- Must store indoors
- Bird Feeders
- Permitted w/ maintenance
- Coyotes
- Active east Folsom
- Reporting
- CDFW or Folsom PD
Summary
Feeding wildlife, especially deer, coyotes, raccoons, and bears, is prohibited in Folsom. CDFW also prohibits intentional feeding of big game statewide. Folsom's foothill and lakefront neighborhoods face particular wildlife pressure; bird feeders must be maintained to avoid rodent attraction.
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources such as food, water, and habitat. As the State's trustee agency for fish and wildlife, CDFW has developed a robust HWC Toolkit to help reduce or prevent wildlife damage and conflict with wildlife.
Full Breakdown
Folsom Municipal Code Chapter 6 and California Code of Regulations Title 14 §251.3 prohibit intentional feeding of mammals classified as big game, nongame, or furbearers (including deer, coyotes, bears, raccoons, foxes, and wild turkeys). Folsom's east-side neighborhoods near Folsom Lake and Willow Creek experience regular wildlife activity, and feeding correlates with dangerous habituation: particularly coyotes that lose fear of humans and bears descending from the foothills in drought years. Bird feeders are permitted but must be maintained to prevent seed spillage that attracts rodents and deer. Pet food must be stored indoors or in secured containers. The Folsom Lake State Recreation Area has additional state park feeding prohibitions.
Violations & Fines
Administrative citation $100-$500. CDFW can issue misdemeanor citations for repeat feeding of big game ($1,000+).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed the deer in my yard?
Are bird feeders allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Folsom
California rules heatmap·Compare Folsom to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle wildlife feeding.