Vacaville does not have a stand-alone wildlife-feeding chapter, but California Fish & Game Code Section 251.1 prohibits any conduct that herds, harasses, or pursues wildlife, and California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 251.3 makes it unlawful to feed big-game mammals - including deer, elk, antelope, and bears - throughout California. Local nuisance abatement under VMC Chapter 6.20 backstops feeding that attracts coyotes, raccoons, or other animals onto private property.
Wildlife feeding in Vacaville is governed primarily by state law. California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 251.3 makes it unlawful for any person to intentionally feed big-game mammals - defined to include deer, elk, antelope, mountain lions, and bears - or to leave food, garbage, or salt where big-game mammals will feed, with violations punishable as a misdemeanor. California Fish & Game Code Section 251.1 separately prohibits harassing wildlife, which the California Department of Fish & Wildlife interprets to include feeding that habituates wildlife to humans. Penalties under Fish & Game Code Section 12000 et seq. can reach $1,000 per violation and six months in county jail. Within Vacaville city limits - which back up to Lagoon Valley Regional Park, the Vaca Hills, and other open space - feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, or other wildlife that wander into residential neighborhoods also implicates VMC Chapter 6.20 (Animal Nuisances) when the attracted animals cause property damage, noise, or sanitation problems. Stray-cat colonies are typically addressed through HAS Trap-Neuter-Return programs rather than feeding bans.
Feeding deer or other big-game mammals violates CCR Title 14 Section 251.3 and is a misdemeanor enforceable by CDFW wardens and Humane Animal Services, with penalties up to $1,000 and six months in jail under Fish & Game Code Section 12000 et seq. Feeding that attracts nuisance wildlife may also be abated under VMC 6.20 with administrative citation and orders to stop. Trash and garbage left outside that attracts wildlife can be cited under VMC Chapter 8.04 (Weeds and Rubbish Abatement).
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