Georgetown, TX Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

City Code Chapter 8.05 (Ord. No. 2015-25) prohibits feeding deer citywide. Section 8.05.030 makes it an offense to intentionally feed deer or make food available to them on private or public property within city limits. A rebuttable presumption of intentional feeding arises from placing food, or causing food to be placed, on the ground outdoors or on any outdoor platform standing fewer than five feet above ground. "Food" is defined in Section 8.05.010 to include corn, fruit, oats, hay, nuts, wheat, alfalfa, salt blocks, grain, vegetables, and commercial wildlife feed, birdseed, or livestock feed, but excludes shrubs, live plants, gardens, and fruit or nuts that fall naturally from trees.

Section 8.05.040 provides an affirmative defense for food placed in good faith to feed domestic livestock or pets on the property, and Section 8.05.030(C) exempts animal control officers, veterinarians, peace officers, City employees, and authorized wildlife officials acting within their duties. The City Manager is directed under Section 8.05.020 to run a public education program on the dangers of urban deer overpopulation. Violations are reported to and enforced by the Animal Services Department under Section 8.05.050.