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

Alpine County has a dedicated bear-feeding ordinance, Chapter 8.50 Bear Control (Ord. 622, 2000), reflecting the county's high-elevation Sierra setting. Its stated purpose is 'to protect human life and property, and to minimize the destruction of bears by eliminating to the greatest degree possible human interaction with bears in Alpine County' (Section 8.50.010). The core rule, Section 8.50.020, states: 'No person shall feed bears or knowingly leave food, food product, refuse, pet food, grain or salt in a manner which constitutes a lure, attraction or enticement to bears.' This reaches not only intentional feeding but also careless storage of garbage and pet food that draws bears in. A violation 'may be charged as an infraction or misdemeanor' (Section 8.50.030) and is also declared a public nuisance threatening public health and safety, subject to abatement through administrative and judicial proceedings. Each day the prohibited conduct continues 'may be deemed a single, separate violation' (Section 8.50.040), so ongoing attractants can compound penalties. The chapter is not exclusive - it may be enforced alongside other applicable state laws and regulations (Section 8.50.050), including California Department of Fish and Wildlife rules. The County Code does not contain a separate ordinance feeding deer, coyotes or other wildlife by name; the bear rule is the dedicated wildlife-feeding provision.