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

We reviewed Sierra County's animal regulations (County Code Chapter 8.08) and the zoning code and did not find a county section that bans residents from feeding wild animals such as deer, bears, or coyotes. The animal-control chapter defines 'animal' as dogs and excludes farm animals (Section 8.08.020), and its substantive rules address owned dogs and impounded livestock rather than putting out food for free-roaming wildlife. Because no specific county wildlife-feeding ordinance appears in the published code, the governing rules are at the state level. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife strongly discourages feeding wildlife because it habituates animals, spreads disease, and increases dangerous human-wildlife conflicts; in a high-country county like Sierra this especially concerns black bears, mule deer, and mountain lions. California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 251.3 prohibits the intentional feeding of big game mammals, which include deer and bear, and CDFW enforces that rule statewide. Residents who attract bears or other wildlife by leaving out food or unsecured garbage may also draw nuisance attention and risk property damage. For problems with free-roaming wildlife, contact CDFW; for issues involving owned dogs, livestock, or other kept animals, contact Sierra County Animal Control. Always check for any newer county or state rules before feeding or attempting to deter wildlife.