West Jordan, UT Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Utah Code Section 23A-5-314 (recodified from 23-13-14) prohibits intentional feeding of big game animals including mule deer, elk, and moose, as well as predators like cougars, bears, and coyotes. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) enforces; conservation officers can issue citations directly. West Jordan Municipal Code Title 6 adds local prohibition on feeding any wild or non-domesticated animal, including raccoons, skunks, and feral cats, because such feeding creates nuisance and rabies-exposure risk. Although West Jordan is in the Salt Lake Valley floor, mule deer routinely descend from Oquirrh foothills to the west and Wasatch foothills to the east, particularly during winter, and residents along Copper Hills, New Bingham Highway, and the Jordan River Parkway see frequent wildlife visits. Bird feeding is generally allowed but discouraged if bears have been sighted (rare in West Jordan proper). Vehicle-deer collisions spike in October to December, and attractants like fallen fruit and open compost can be cited as contributory nuisance. Rabies vector species (skunks, bats, raccoons) are actively managed by Salt Lake County Animal Services.