Rancho Cordova, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Coyote Feeding
- Prohibited as nuisance
- Attractants
- Unsecured trash a violation
- Feral Cats
- TNR program coordination
- State Agency
- CDFW
- Bird Feeders
- Generally permitted
Summary
Feeding wildlife such as coyotes, raccoons, deer, and feral cats is discouraged and may be prohibited as a public nuisance in Rancho Cordova. California Fish and Game Code Section 251.1 prohibits harassment and Section 2000 regulates wildlife take, while local nuisance rules cover attractants.
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources such as food, water, and habitat. As the State's trustee agency for fish and wildlife, CDFW has developed a robust HWC Toolkit to help reduce or prevent wildlife damage and conflict with wildlife.
Learn More Wildlife Incident Reporting CDFW Law Enforcement (CalTIP) CDFW Regional Office Report Oil Spills - (800) 852-7550 Report a Wildlife Mortality Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR) System For Emergen
Full Breakdown
Rancho Cordova sits near the American River Parkway, home to coyotes, deer, turkeys, and raccoons. Intentional feeding of predators and large wildlife is a public health concern because it habituates animals to humans. Sacramento County code prohibits maintaining attractants (open pet food, unsecured garbage) that draw wildlife. Feral cat colony feeding is regulated and typically requires coordination with a registered TNR (trap-neuter-return) program. Feeding deer, bear, and coyotes is strongly discouraged statewide by CDFW.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bird feeders allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cordova to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle wildlife feeding.