Plano, TX Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Plano does not operate a blanket ban on feeding wild animals, but it does prohibit feeding that creates a public nuisance, sanitation problem, or attractant for rabies-vector species. The Animals and Health chapters of the Code of Ordinances empower Animal Services and Code Compliance to cite residents who put out food (corn piles, meat scraps, pet food bowls) that attract white-tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, or feral hogs into residential areas. Urbanized wildlife around Plano's greenbelts (Bluebonnet Trail, Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, Arbor Hills adjacent) routinely generates complaints, and feeding is the most common escalation factor. Deer feeding specifically draws coyotes and collision risk on Plano's parkways; coyote feeding is called out separately in Texas Parks and Wildlife guidance as both illegal (under general nuisance) and dangerous. Feral cat colonies are managed through TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs coordinated with local rescue groups, and unmanaged colony feeding that creates sanitation complaints can be cited. Bird feeders are generally allowed when they are maintained, kept off the ground, cleaned regularly, and not attracting rats or squirrels in complaint-generating numbers. Feeding in city parks is typically prohibited under park rules. Violations can draw Class C misdemeanor citations up to 500 dollars and removal orders for food sources.