Prescott Valley, AZ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Section 6-02-040 of the Prescott Valley Town Code, titled Outdoor Feeding and Protection of Wildlife, bans feeding and attracting wildlife anywhere in the Town. The history note shows it was repealed and re-enacted by Ordinance No. 2026-978 on 04/23/26.

The definitions are broad. Feeding means placing edible material in a location where it can be consumed by wildlife, and attracting means placing edible material in a location likely to entice wildlife to the source. Edible material means any human or animal food, food by-product, animal carcass, refuse, garbage, or water. Wildlife means all wild animals. Reckless means a conscious disregard of a substantial risk of harm to persons or property, so a resident who leaves out pet food or an uncovered garbage source in disregard of that risk is covered as well as one who deliberately feeds animals.

Four exceptions apply: persons lawfully taking or holding wildlife under Title 17 of the Arizona Revised Statutes or Game and Fish Commission rules; public employees or authorized agents acting within the scope of their authority for public safety or wildlife management; normal agricultural or livestock operational practices; and feeding of tree squirrels or birds, placed in a manner or location that makes it unavailable to other wildlife.

An Arizona Game and Fish officer, animal control officer, Town Code Enforcement Officer, or any AZPOST certified peace officer can issue a written warning or citation. Each violation is a separate offense, and each day a violation remains unabated is a separate offense. The penalty ladder starts with a warning. A violation within sixty (60) days of a warning is a petty offense with a fine not to exceed $150. A violation after a conviction within ninety (90) days carries a fine of not less than $150 and not more than $300. Two or more prior convictions within one hundred and eighty (180) days make it a class three misdemeanor.