San Marcos prohibits the intentional feeding of coyotes and other predatory wildlife. Residents must secure trash, pet food, and other attractants to minimize wildlife encounters. The city is home to coyotes, raccoons, and other urban wildlife, and feeding these animals creates public safety hazards and encourages habituation to residential areas.
The City of San Marcos, like much of inland San Diego County, experiences regular interactions between residents and urban wildlife including coyotes, raccoons, opossums, and birds of prey. The city and San Diego County prohibit the intentional feeding of coyotes and other predatory wildlife. Residents must store trash in secure containers with lids, avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight, and remove fallen fruit from trees promptly. Bird feeders may attract rodents and should be managed to minimize ground spillage. Feral cat feeding programs should comply with county guidelines and trap-neuter-return protocols. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has jurisdiction over wildlife management, and sick or injured wildlife should be reported to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Coyote sightings and encounters can be reported to the city or through the San Diego County coyote tracking program. The Sheriff's non-emergency line at (760) 510-5200 handles reports of aggressive wildlife behavior.
Intentionally feeding coyotes or predatory wildlife may result in a code enforcement warning followed by administrative citations. Failure to secure trash attractants after notice may result in fines. Aggressive wildlife situations are handled by California Fish and Wildlife wardens.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle wildlife feeding.
See how San Marcos's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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