Santa Clara County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

There is no dedicated wildlife-feeding chapter in the County's animal code (Division B31) for unincorporated areas; the County's published guidance simply advises residents to 'never intentionally feed wild animals.' The binding prohibitions come from California state regulation. Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 251.3, states that 'No person shall knowingly feed big game mammals,' which (per Section 350) covers species such as deer, elk, bear, and wild pigs. Title 14 CCR Section 251.1 separately prohibits harassing, herding, or driving game and nongame birds and mammals. California Fish and Game also restricts feeding non-domesticated mammalian predators - including coyotes, raccoons, foxes, opossums, bears, mountain lions, and bobcats. Intentionally feeding wildlife habituates animals, draws predators into neighborhoods, and can create public-safety and nuisance problems; the County's Vector Control District and Animal Services direct nuisance-wildlife questions to Vector Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Because feeding can also indirectly attract animals through unsecured trash or pet food left outdoors, residents in unincorporated areas should secure food sources. If you have a specific local concern, confirm current rules with County Animal Services and Vector Control, since enforcement of wildlife feeding generally runs through state wildlife law rather than a County ordinance.