Contra Costa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary Authority
- CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
- Feeding Ban
- Fish & Game Code §251.1
- Mountain Lions
- Specially Protected Species
- Depredation Permits
- Issued by CDFW
- Local Response
- CCC Animal Services for injured wildlife
Summary
Wildlife in unincorporated Contra Costa County is regulated primarily by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). It is illegal to feed deer, coyotes, raccoons, or wild turkeys. Depredation permits are required to remove protected wildlife damaging property.
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources such as food, water, and habitat. As the State's trustee agency for fish and wildlife, CDFW has developed a robust HWC Toolkit to help reduce or prevent wildlife damage and conflict with wildlife. Learn More Wildlife Incident Reporting CDFW Law Enforcement (CalTIP) CDFW Regional Office Report Oil Spills - (800) 852-7550
Full Breakdown
Wildlife in unincorporated Contra Costa County, including deer, coyotes, mountain lions, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, opossums, bobcats, and various hawks and owls, is governed by the California Fish and Game Code and CDFW regulations. 1 to intentionally feed big-game animals (deer, bear, wild pigs) and most non-game mammals, and the county supports this prohibition for wildlife-conflict management. Coyote encounters are common in hillside communities (Alamo, Orinda-adjacent, Kensington, El Sobrante, Blackhawk); CDFW guidance emphasizes hazing, not relocation. Mountain lions are protected as a Specially Protected Species; take is allowed only under a CDFW depredation permit after livestock or pet loss.
Property owners experiencing damage from protected wildlife must apply for a depredation permit through CDFW rather than acting independently. Contra Costa Animal Services responds to injured or sick domestic animals and public-safety issues with wildlife; CDFW handles protected species. Leaving pet food and garbage accessible is the leading cause of wildlife conflict and can trigger nuisance-property citations under county code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trap and relocate a raccoon from my yard?
What should I do about coyotes near Blackhawk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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