Placer County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

After fetching and reviewing Placer County Code Chapter 6 (Animals) and the zoning animal-keeping provisions, there is no County ordinance that specifically prohibits residents from feeding wildlife such as deer, bears, coyotes, or waterfowl in unincorporated areas. The County's animal regulations focus on domestic animals, leash and at-large rules, dangerous dogs, licensing, and animal-keeping standards rather than wildlife feeding. Where wildlife feeding is regulated, California state law controls: Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 251.3, and Fish & Game Code Section 251.1 make it unlawful to harass or, under the harassment/feeding rules enforced by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, to intentionally feed big game mammals such as deer and bears in a manner that habituates them. CDFW strongly discourages feeding bears and other wildlife because it creates public-safety conflicts. At the County level, the closest related requirement is in zoning Section 17.56.050(E), which requires animal enclosures and feed areas to be kept free of excessive litter, garbage, and accumulated manure to discourage flies, vectors, and odors - indirectly discouraging conditions that attract wildlife. Residents concerned about bear or deer conflicts are directed to CDFW.