Raleigh, NC Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

The City of Raleigh does not have a blanket ban on wildlife feeding, but Raleigh City Code Part 12 and NC General Statute §153A-129 (authorizing counties to regulate nuisances) allow enforcement when feeding creates a public nuisance, health hazard, or habituates wildlife. Intentional feeding of deer, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, or feral hogs is strongly discouraged and may be prohibited under state regulations, particularly during Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management zones established by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Feeding waterfowl (ducks, geese) at city parks and lakes is generally prohibited because it concentrates populations, degrades water quality, and alters migration.

Backyard bird feeding is permitted but must be maintained to avoid attracting rats, bears (occasional in western Wake County), or other pests; rodent-attracting conditions can be cited as a nuisance. Feeding of stray or feral cats raises both animal-control issues and wildlife-predation concerns; managed TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs exist but must comply with city rules. Residents should report aggressive or diseased wildlife to NCWRC and should never feed wildlife from their hand. State hunting and wildlife feeding regulations may apply differently within city limits than in rural areas.