Tempe addresses wildlife feeding through its nuisance and animal control provisions. The city's desert and urban lake environment (Tempe Town Lake) attracts various wildlife. Feeding wildlife can create nuisance conditions. The Arizona Game and Fish Department regulates wildlife interactions statewide. Property owners should secure trash and avoid feeding coyotes, javelina, and other desert wildlife.
Tempe's nuisance provisions and animal regulations address wildlife feeding issues. The city's unique combination of Sonoran Desert habitat and urban waterways (Tempe Town Lake, Salt River) attracts diverse wildlife including coyotes, javelina, waterfowl, and various bird species. Intentionally feeding wildlife in parks and public spaces may violate park rules. On residential property, creating conditions that attract nuisance wildlife (unsecured trash, pet food left outdoors, excessive bird feeding attracting rodents) may result in nuisance enforcement. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has statewide authority over wildlife and strongly discourages feeding wild animals. Tempe's urban setting near ASU and the Mill Avenue District means wildlife-human interactions are common. The city participates in regional wildlife management programs. Feral cat colony management through TNR programs operates under separate guidelines.
Creating conditions attracting nuisance wildlife may result in enforcement under nuisance provisions. Harassing or harming wildlife without AZGFD authorization is a state violation.
Tempe, AZ
Tempe regulates industrial noise through Chapter 20 (Noise) of the City Code and the Zoning and Development Code. Industrial uses must not generate noise exc...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe addresses barking dogs under both the noise ordinance (Chapter 20) and animal control regulations. Dogs that bark persistently and disturb neighbors ca...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt driveways. Parking on dirt, gravel, or landscaped areas is prohibited. ...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe generally does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding 6 feet, masonry walls, and fences...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's Zoning and Development Code regulates fence materials in residential zones. Common permitted materials include block, stucco, wrought iron, wood, vin...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's zoning code limits residential fence heights to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3 feet in front yards. Corner lots may have additional visibility t...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle wildlife feeding.
See how Tempe's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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