San Leandro, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

The City's Animal Control page (sanleandro.org/409) directs residents not to leave food out around residences (especially after dusk) because feeding attracts raccoons, skunks, opossums, and coyotes, but cites the California Department of Fish and Wildlife rather than a local feeding ordinance. The controlling state rules are: (1) Title 14 CCR §251.3 - 'No person shall knowingly feed big game mammals' as defined in §350, which includes deer, elk, antelope, wild pigs, bighorn sheep, and bears; (2) 14 CCR §251.1 - 'no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame bird or mammal or furbearing mammal,' where artificial feeding can constitute harassment; and (3) California Fish & Game Code §4181.1, which addresses depredation by big game. On San Leandro Creek and along the bay shoreline, intentional feeding of waterfowl, gulls, or feral cats that creates rodent infestation or sanitation problems is also actionable as a public nuisance under SLMC Chapter 1-12 and as a vector concern under the Alameda County Vector Control Services District. The Alameda County Health Department additionally enforces rodent attractant rules tied to garbage storage. Residents are encouraged not to leave pet food outdoors, secure trash cans, and remove fallen fruit.