Queen Creek, AZ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Queen Creek's Town Code does not contain a stand-alone wildlife-feeding ordinance, but a statewide statute fills the gap and applies directly within the town. A.R.S. 13-2927 makes it unlawful for a person to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feed, attract or otherwise entice wildlife into an area. The statute states it 'applies in a county with a population of more than two hundred eighty thousand persons,' which includes Maricopa County and therefore Queen Creek. The law does not apply to feeding tree squirrels or birds, and it exempts lawful wildlife possession, government employees acting in their official capacity, and normal agricultural practices. A violation is a petty offense. The practical purpose is to prevent attracting coyotes, javelina, and other wildlife that lose their fear of people and create conflicts, a real concern in Queen Creek's desert-edge setting. Arizona Game and Fish strongly discourages feeding wildlife and eliminating attractants. Residents can feed songbirds and tree squirrels but should avoid leaving out food, pet food, or water that draws larger wild animals, and should secure trash and fallen fruit to avoid inadvertently 'attracting' wildlife under the statute.