Saint Paul, MN Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- intentionally feeding deer anywhere in the city
- Covered material
- grain, salt licks, produce, hay within 5 ft of ground
- Exempt
- living plants like fruit trees
- Penalty
- petty misdemeanor
- Exceptions
- vets, animal control, game officials on duty
Summary
Saint Paul bans intentionally feeding deer anywhere in the city under Legislative Code Sec. 201.01. The ban covers grain, salt licks, fruit, vegetables, hay or any other edible material placed on or within five feet of the ground where deer could reasonably be expected to eat it, and violating it is a petty misdemeanor.
No person shall intentionally feed deer within the city. (1)Feeding defined. For purposes of this subdivision, feeding shall include the act of placing or permitting to be placed on the ground, or within five feet of the ground, any grain, fodder, salt licks, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay or any other edible materials, which may reasonably be expected to result in deer feeding, unless such items are screened or otherwise protected from deer consumption. Living food sources, such as fruit trees and other vegetation shall not be included in this definition. (2)Exceptions. This prohibition shall not apply to: a.Veterinarians, city animal control officers, or any other county, state, or federal game officials acting on the course of their official duties. (3)Penalty. A violation of this section shall be a petty misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
' The ordinance defines 'feeding' broadly to include placing, or permitting to be placed, grain, fodder, salt licks, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay or any other edible material on the ground or within five feet of it, if doing so may reasonably be expected to result in deer feeding, unless the material is screened or otherwise protected from deer access. The definition specifically carves out living food sources such as fruit trees and other vegetation, so ordinary landscaping and gardening aren't swept in. The only exception in the chapter covers veterinarians, city animal control officers, and county, state or federal game officials acting within their official duties; there's no exception for homeowners who simply enjoy watching deer, and no permit process to authorize feeding.
A violation is a petty misdemeanor, the lightest criminal classification under Minnesota law, rather than a full misdemeanor. The chapter, numbered 201, was added by City Council File No. 03-22 in February 2003 and was deliberately kept narrow, it addresses deer specifically and doesn't extend to feeding other wildlife such as geese, squirrels or raccoons, which fall outside this section.
Violations & Fines
Intentionally feeding deer, including leaving grain, salt licks, produce or hay accessible on or near the ground, is a petty misdemeanor under Sec. 201.01(3), enforced without the seizure or hearing process used for dangerous-animal cases elsewhere in the animal code. There's no permit or registration option to authorize deer feeding; the only lawful actors are veterinarians, city animal control officers, and county, state or federal game officials performing official duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put out corn or salt licks for deer in my yard?
Do fruit trees in my yard count as illegal deer feeding?
Is feeding geese or squirrels also banned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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