San Diego County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated County feeding ban
- None found for unincorporated San Diego County
- Primary controls
- CA Fish and Game Code and 14 CCR (wildlife)
- Sanitation/pests
- County sanitation and pest-harborage rules (e.g., 62.668)
- Nuisance abatement
- Public-nuisance authority if feeding attracts pests/odors
- Contacts
- County Animal Services; CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County has no dedicated ordinance prohibiting the feeding of coyotes, deer, or other wildlife. Such conduct is governed mainly by California law: Fish and Game Code rules on wildlife, and the County's general public-nuisance and sanitation provisions can apply when feeding attracts pests or creates hazards.
Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit Skip to Main Content See the Emergency Closures page before visiting a CDFW office, facility or property. CA.gov Official website of the State of California About Us Contact State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife Menu Custom Google Search Home Fishing Hunting Licensing Conservation Learning Home / HWC Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit Vision: To proactively address human-wildlife conflicts and improve wildlife incident responses; to support safe human-wildlife interactions; and to increase understanding, awareness and appreciation of wildlife in California. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way.
Full Breakdown
We could not locate any County Code provision in the unincorporated area that specifically bans feeding wildlife such as coyotes, deer, or raccoons, unlike some other jurisdictions (for example, Los Angeles County and City have a dedicated no-feeding ordinance). To avoid overstating the law, the honest answer is that San Diego County's regulatory ordinances do not contain a stand-alone unincorporated wildlife-feeding prohibition. Several other rules indirectly discourage or address wildlife feeding. 668 and related public-health provisions); food left out for wildlife that attracts rats or creates odors can be abated as a public nuisance.
California law governs wildlife directly: under the Fish and Game Code and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, it is generally unlawful to harass, take, or feed certain game animals such as big-game deer, and depredation and wildlife-conflict situations are handled by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Residents in coyote-prone areas are encouraged by County Animal Services and Fish and Wildlife not to feed wild animals because it habituates them and increases conflict, but that guidance is advisory unless a specific State rule or a nuisance condition applies. Anyone with a wildlife conflict should contact County Animal Services or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Violations & Fines
There is no County citation for simply feeding wildlife, but feeding that attracts rodents or creates odors or other nuisances can be abated under the County's sanitation and public-nuisance authority. Feeding or harassing protected game animals may violate the California Fish and Game Code and 14 CCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed coyotes or deer in unincorporated San Diego County?
Who handles wildlife conflicts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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