Lake County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

The strongest binding rule on feeding wild animals in unincorporated Lake County comes from California state regulation: California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 251.3 ('Prohibition Against Feeding Big Game Mammals') states that no person shall knowingly feed big game mammals, which under section 350 of the same title include bear and deer. Given Lake County's rural, forested terrain and its black-bear and deer populations, this state prohibition is the practical anchor for any 'don't feed the wildlife' question, and intentionally feeding bears or deer is unlawful. Lake County's own published 'Living with Wildlife' guidance focuses on coexistence and on specific hazards rather than on a separate countywide feeding ordinance: it warns that skunks and raccoons are frequent carriers of rabies and urges residents to keep pets current on rabies vaccinations, and it states that the Department of Fish and Wildlife has made clear it is illegal to trap and relocate any wildlife. The County directs residents who need help with nuisance wildlife to the County Agriculture Department at (707) 263-0217. Practically, residents should avoid leaving pet food, unsecured garbage, or other attractants outdoors, both because feeding big game is illegal under state law and because attractants draw bears, mountain lions, and other wildlife into conflict with people and pets. For predator conflicts (mountain lions, bears causing property damage), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife - not the County - handles depredation permits and serious incidents. Anyone with a wildlife conflict should contact the County Agriculture Department or CDFW rather than attempting to trap or relocate animals.