Orange County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- County-Specific Ban
- No general Title 4 wildlife-feeding ordinance
- Big Game Feeding
- Prohibited: 14 CCR 251.3
- Big Game Defined
- Deer, elk, antelope, bear, bighorn (14 CCR 350)
- Harassment Rule
- 14 CCR 251.1 (disrupting wildlife)
- Enforced By
- CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Summary
Orange County's Title 4 animal ordinances do not set a general countywide ban on feeding wildlife, so the controlling rules come from California state law. Title 14 CCR 251.3 prohibits knowingly feeding big game mammals (deer, elk, antelope, bear, bighorn sheep), and 14 CCR 251.1 bars harassment that disrupts wildlife. Feeding that attracts predators can also create a public-nuisance problem.
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 R
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Orange County, feeding wild animals is primarily governed by California state wildlife regulations rather than a dedicated OC Animal Care ordinance. 3, provides that no person shall knowingly feed big game mammals, defined in section 350 to include deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, black bear, and Nelson bighorn sheep. 1 separately prohibits harassing, herding, or driving game and nongame birds and mammals, where 'harass' means an intentional act that disrupts an animal's normal behavior patterns such as breeding, feeding, or sheltering: conduct that aggressive or sustained feeding can implicate.
The state has used these rules to fine people for feeding wildlife. Beyond state law, intentionally feeding coyotes and other non-domesticated predators creates a recognized safety hazard, and many California jurisdictions have adopted local no-feeding ordinances; in Orange County, residents should check whether their specific community or any HOA rules add restrictions. Feeding that draws rats, coyotes, or other nuisance wildlife onto neighboring property can also be addressed through general nuisance and health-code enforcement. Note that feeding feral cats is not itself a state crime, but leaving food out can both attract protected wildlife (raising harassment concerns) and, by 'keeping' the cats, trigger local animal limits.
Violations & Fines
Knowingly feeding big game mammals violates 14 CCR 251.3 and harassment that disrupts wildlife violates 14 CCR 251.1, both enforceable by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with fines. Feeding that creates a public nuisance or attracts predators or vermin onto others' property may additionally be cited under county nuisance and health provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed deer or coyotes in unincorporated Orange County?
Does Orange County ban feeding wild animals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
California rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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