Wildlife Feeding: Chino vs Rialto
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Chino, CA and Rialto, CA?
Chino and Rialto 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 →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto has no standalone municipal ordinance banning wildlife feeding, but feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons and other wild mammals is regulated statewide under California Fish & Game Code § 251.1 (harassment) and 14 CCR § 251.3, which prohibits intentionally feeding big game mammals. Attracting wildlife that becomes a public nuisance is independently abatable under Rialto Municipal Code Title 6 / Title 8 (Health & Sanitation).
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| State rule | - | 14 CCR § 251.3 (no feeding big-game mammals) |
| Harassment | - | Cal. F&G Code § 251.1 |
| Local hook | - | RMC Title 6 / Title 8 nuisance abatement |
| Report | - | CDFW 1-888-334-CALTIP |
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.
Rialto FAQ
Can I feed the coyotes / raccoons in my Rialto yard?
No. Intentionally feeding big-game mammals violates 14 CCR § 251.3, and feeding coyotes/raccoons food-conditions them into a public-safety hazard that Rialto can abate as a nuisance under Title 6 / Title 8.
Are bird feeders allowed?
Yes, bird feeders are not prohibited, but if your feeder attracts rats, pigeons or larger wildlife it can be cited as a nuisance under Rialto's health and sanitation rules. Use squirrel/rodent-proof feeders and clean spillage daily.
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