Oregon law at ORS 496.730 prohibits feeding any 'predatory animal' (coyote, cougar, bear) by intentional placement of food that attracts the animal — a Class A misdemeanor. Portland has no broad citywide ban on backyard bird feeding, but PCC 29.20.030 (Property Maintenance) reaches accumulations of food or garbage that attract rats, raccoons, or other vector wildlife. Securing trash under PCC 17.102 is required, and feeding feral cats in a way that creates a nuisance can be cited under PCC Title 29.
ORS 496.730 makes it unlawful to 'place, deposit, distribute or scatter food, garbage, or other attractant in a manner that attracts or could attract' bears, cougars, wolves, or coyotes — penalties include a fine up to $6,250 and removal of the attractant by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Portland's PCC 29.20.030 ('Maintenance of Premises') requires property owners to keep premises free of rodent harborage and conditions that attract pests; intentional feeding that creates such conditions is enforceable as a property-maintenance nuisance with abatement orders from BDS. PCC 17.102 (Solid Waste & Recycling Collection) requires that garbage carts be kept closed and inaccessible to wildlife. Casual feeding of songbirds and squirrels from a feeder is not regulated, but feeders that attract rats, raccoons, or coyotes can be abated. The City's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability publishes 'living with wildlife' guidance, and Multnomah County coordinates rabies-vector advisories.
ORS 496.730 violations (predator feeding) are Class A misdemeanors with fines up to $6,250 (ORS 496.992). PCC 29.20 nuisance violations are civil with initial notice-and-abate orders; failure to comply leads to BDS administrative fines of $250-$1,000 per day and city-performed abatement billed back to the property owner as a lien. Garbage-cart violations under PCC 17.102 carry warning notices and modest civil fines.
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See how Portland's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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