Sedona, AZ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- Feeding or attracting listed wildlife
- Covered species
- Bears, javelina, deer, elk, coyotes, bobcats, skunks, foxes, mountain lions
- First violation
- Written warning plus educational materials
- Second violation (90 days)
- Civil fine up to $150.00
- Third violation (180 days)
- $150.00 to $500.00 fine
- Repeat offender
- Class 3 misdemeanor after 2+ convictions
Summary
SCC § 6.15.020 makes it unlawful to "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feed wildlife or to attract wildlife" anywhere within Sedona, covering bears, javelina, deer, elk, coyotes, bobcats, skunks, foxes, and mountain lions. Penalties escalate from a written warning to fines up to $500.00 and eventually a class 3 misdemeanor.
It is unlawful for any person to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feed wildlife or to attract wildlife. ... If there is a violation of this chapter and the person has previously been issued a warning within 90 days from the date a warning was issued, the new violation is a civil offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $150.00, plus any other penalties, assessments or surcharges authorized by law. ... If there is a violation of this chapter and the person has previously been convicted ... two or more times of violating this chapter, the new violation is a class 3 misdemeanor, plus any other penalties, assessments or surcharges authorized by law.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Initiative Ordinance 2026-01, approved by voters at the July 21, 2026 election).
Full Breakdown
010 defines "edible material" broadly to include human or animal food, food by-products, carcasses, salt, organic material, refuse, garbage, and water, so the ban reaches far beyond deliberately putting out a deer block. 030. 040: public employees acting under state wildlife authority, edible material stored inside a residence, closed vehicle, enclosed structure, or closed trash container, normal agricultural or livestock feeding, birdseed or nectar placed at least four feet above ground or otherwise inaccessible to other wildlife, decorative water features, growing plants and their fallen parts, fully contained compost piles inaccessible to wildlife, and hand-feeding of ducks or waterfowl on lakes, ponds, or creeks.
050 strips those exceptions from anyone who knows or has reason to know their activity is attracting wildlife beyond birds or tree squirrels, requiring the person to modify placement, stop the activity, or otherwise correct the problem. 070 makes each day a violation continues a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
A first violation draws only a written warning plus educational materials under § 6.15.080(A). A second violation within 90 days of a prior warning is a civil offense fined up to $150.00; a violation following a conviction within the past 180 days carries a fine of $150.00 to $500.00. After two or more prior convictions, a further violation becomes a class 3 misdemeanor, and each day a violation continues can generate a separate citation under § 6.15.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to put out food for deer or javelina in Sedona?
Can I still feed birds and squirrels?
What's the penalty for a first-time violation?
Who enforces the wildlife-feeding law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sedona
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