Redding, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Redding's local hook for wildlife feeding is the unsanitary-conditions rule in Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(G) at https://files.cityofredding.gov/Document%20Center/Departments/Development%20Services/Planning/Zoning%20Ordinance/Section%201843040%20Animals.pdf, supplemented by the City's general nuisance authority under Chapter 1.13 of the Municipal Code. Feeders that produce rats, mice, or visible accumulations of fecal matter are independently citable. The principal state restriction is 14 CCR Section 251.3 (https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=92395), which provides that it is unlawful to intentionally feed big game mammals in California — defined to include deer, elk, antelope, mountain lions, wild pigs, and bears. Section 251.1 (https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/IB60E66B4BC7949A9869B1A30E6BEF1FF) prohibits harassment of game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, nongame mammals, game birds, nongame birds, or fur-bearing or nongame birds — including the act of intentionally attracting them through feed that interferes with their normal behavior. Bears in particular are a Redding-area concern given the City's proximity to the Trinity Alps, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and the Sacramento River corridor; California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Region 1 covers Shasta County and publishes guidance on bear-proofing and trash management at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Black-Bear. CDFW Wildlife Officers enforce 14 CCR Section 251.3 and may issue depredation permits where a habituated animal must be removed. Bird feeders for songbirds are not prohibited but should be cleaned regularly and removed if they attract bears or rodents — under-maintained feeders that produce vermin attract Section 18.43.040(G) citations from Redding Code Enforcement.