Wildlife Feeding: Chino vs Rancho Cucamonga
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Chino, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
Chino and Rancho Cucamonga have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino's WUI boundary touches the Puente-Chino Hills wildlife corridor and Chino Hills State Park, where coyotes, bobcats, mule deer, and mountain lions routinely move through neighborhoods. California 14 CCR §251.3 prohibits intentional feeding of big-game mammals (deer, elk, bear, etc.) statewide. Locally, Chino Title 8 (Health & Safety) addresses food sources that attract wildlife as a public nuisance, and intentional coyote feeding is generally treated as a nuisance/code violation.
View full Chino rules →Rancho Cucamonga, CA
San Bernardino County
Rancho Cucamonga prohibits intentional feeding of coyotes and wildlife that creates a nuisance. Etiwanda and Alta Loma foothills are active coyote and bobcat corridors.
View full Rancho Cucamonga rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| State big-game feeding ban | 14 CCR §251.3 — intentional feeding of deer, bear, mountain sheep, etc. prohibited | - |
| Local nuisance backstop | Chino Mun. Code Title 8 — attractive nuisance / vector control | - |
| Wildlife corridor | Puente-Chino Hills corridor and Chino Hills State Park border Chino — coyote/bobcat/deer activity routine | - |
| Mountain lions | Specially Protected Mammal — Cal. Fish & Game Code §4800 | - |
| Prohibited | - | Intentional feeding of coyotes, bears, deer |
| High-Risk Areas | - | Alta Loma and Etiwanda foothills |
| State Agency | - | CDFW backs enforcement |
| Approach | - | Haze, don't feed |
| Fine | - | Starts at $100 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Is it legal to feed deer in Chino?
No. California 14 CCR §251.3 prohibits intentional feeding of deer and other big-game mammals statewide, with no Chino-specific exception.
Can I feed coyotes that come through my yard?
Strongly discouraged and likely a Chino Title 8 nuisance violation. CDFW warns coyote feeding leads to habituation and aggressive behavior, and Chino code enforcement can abate the food source.
What about backyard bird feeders?
Bird feeders for songbirds are generally allowed, but if they attract rodents, bears, or coyotes — or if neighbors complain of vermin — code enforcement can order them removed under Title 8 vector and nuisance rules.
Rancho Cucamonga FAQ
Can I feed the deer or coyotes in Alta Loma?
No. Intentional wildlife feeding is prohibited because it creates habituation and public safety risk, especially in the foothill neighborhoods near the wildland-urban interface.
What about bird feeders?
Bird feeders are allowed if they don't attract rodents, raccoons, or coyotes. If your feeder causes a wildlife nuisance, Code Enforcement may ask you to remove it.
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