Wildlife Feeding: Carson vs El Monte
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Carson, CA and El Monte, CA?
El Monte has fewer restrictions than Carson.
Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
Carson does not have a standalone wildlife-feeding ordinance, but LA County Code §10.84.010 (administered by LA County Animal Care & Control through Carson's contract relationship) prohibits feeding non-domesticated mammalian predators (coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, bears). California Fish & Game Code §251.3 also makes it unlawful to harass game mammals through feeding. Carson's adjacency to wetlands and the LA River corridor makes coyote and raccoon habituation a real concern.
View full Carson rules →El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
El Monte explicitly discourages feeding wildlife or strays, and LA County Code Chapter 10.84 (applied in El Monte by contract) prohibits providing food to certain rodents and predator animals. California Fish & Game law adds restrictions on trapping or relocating wildlife without a state permit.
View full El Monte rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife feeding banned? | Yes — LA County Code §10.84.010 (applies in Carson via contract) | - |
| Species covered | Coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, bears (non-domesticated mammalian predators) | - |
| Big-game ban | Cal. F&G Code §251.3 (deer, bear, elk statewide) | - |
| Indirect feeding | Accessible pet food, fallen fruit, unsecured garbage also prohibited | - |
| Bird feeders allowed? | Generally yes, but must not become a predator attractant | - |
| Enforcement | LA County Animal Care & Control + Carson Code Enforcement + CDFW | LA County DACC + El Monte Animal Control |
| Feeding coyotes/raccoons | - | Prohibited — LACC §10.84.010 |
| Pet food outdoors | - | Must not be accessible to wildlife |
| Trapping/relocation | - | Requires CDFW permit |
| City guidance | - | Secure trash, remove fallen fruit, put pet food away |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Carson FAQ
Can I feed feral cats in Carson?
Domestic cats are not covered by the LA County §10.84.010 mammalian-predator prohibition. However, organized feral cat colonies should be managed under a TNR (trap-neuter-return) program coordinated with LA County DACC, and food stations should not become predator attractants.
Can I have a bird feeder?
Yes, bird feeders are allowed. But if a feeder is drawing coyotes, raccoons, or skunks (by spilled seed or peanuts), Animal Care & Control can require you to remove it under the §10.84.010 indirect-feeding provision.
What if a coyote is hanging around my yard?
Report to LA County Animal Care & Control. Remove all food sources, secure trash in heavy lidded cans, bring pets in at night, and do not feed. CDFW's coyote-hazing guidance encourages aversive conditioning.
El Monte FAQ
Can I leave food out for stray cats?
El Monte Animal Control discourages it because it attracts coyotes and other wildlife. Under LA County Code §10.84, leaving food in a way that attracts predator animals is a violation. Use timed feeders inside an enclosure if you participate in a TNR colony program.
There's a coyote in my yard — can I trap it?
No. El Monte's Animal Control page warns that trapping and relocating wildlife without a CDFW permit violates state law. Call LA County DACC for a nuisance response.
What about bird feeders?
Bird feeders for songbirds are generally not the target of §10.84, but if your feeder is attracting rats, raccoons or coyotes you can be cited. El Monte recommends keeping vegetation trimmed and removing fallen seed.
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