Calaveras County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

A review of Calaveras County Code Title 6 (Animals) shows no section that expressly bans feeding wildlife. The Code's focus is on domestic and certain wild animals kept by owners, defining 'wild animal' in Section 6.04.030 and restricting its keeping, but it does not create a dedicated wildlife-feeding offense. The closest local tool is the animal nuisance provision in Section 6.10.110, which prohibits keeping or maintaining any animal that 'disturbs the peace and comfort of the inhabitants of the neighborhood, or interferes with the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life or property,' listing conditions such as excessive odors, vectors, and threats to health; a complaint generally requires two complaining witnesses from separate households. Because there is no specific county ordinance, intentional feeding of wildlife in unincorporated Calaveras County is governed mainly by California state law. The California Fish & Game Code and the regulations of the Fish and Game Commission (California Code of Regulations, Title 14) restrict intentionally feeding big-game mammals such as deer and bears; feeding that attracts a black bear or large predator can lead to enforcement by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Residents in this foothill county are encouraged to avoid leaving food, garbage, or pet food that attracts bears and other wildlife.