Wildlife Feeding: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Redwood City has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City Municipal Code Section 6.08.090 makes it unlawful to feed any bird you do not own, or to place feed intended to attract birds, on any city property or right-of-way (except city-authorized feeding stations) and on any other person's private property without express permission.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
The County Ordinance Code does not contain a specific prohibition on feeding wildlife in unincorporated San Mateo County. County agencies strongly advise against feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals because it draws predators and creates nuisances. Intentionally interfering with certain wildlife is also restricted by California state law.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding wild birds on city property | Prohibited, including all city rights-of-way | - |
| Feeding on someone else's property | Prohibited without that owner's express permission | - |
| Feeding on your own property | Not prohibited by Section 6.08.090 | - |
| Exception | Feeding stations authorized in writing by the city manager | - |
| Fines | $100 / $200 / $500 escalating within one year | - |
| County feeding ban | - | No specific prohibition found in the County Ordinance Code |
| County guidance | - | Do not feed wildlife; secure garbage, pet food, fallen fruit |
| Why | - | Attracts coyotes and mountain lions; animals may turn aggressive |
| Nuisance angle | - | Feeding that attracts pests can be a code-enforcement nuisance |
| State law | - | CA Fish & Game law restricts feeding/harassing certain wildlife |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Can I feed pigeons in Daly City parks?
No. Municipal Code Section 6.08.090 makes it unlawful to feed any bird you do not own, or to place any feed intended to attract birds, on any city property or right-of-way - which includes parks and sidewalks - unless at a feeding station authorized in writing by the city manager.
Is a backyard bird feeder legal in Daly City?
Yes, on your own property. The Section 6.08.090 prohibition applies to city property, city rights-of-way, and private property owned or controlled by another person without their express permission; it does not ban feeders on your own property.
Redwood City FAQ
Is it illegal to feed deer or coyotes in unincorporated San Mateo County?
The County Ordinance Code does not contain a specific wildlife-feeding ban that we could confirm. County agencies strongly advise against feeding wildlife because it attracts predators like coyotes and mountain lions and can make animals aggressive. Feeding that creates a nuisance, or feeding protected wildlife under state law, can still trigger enforcement.
Why does the County discourage feeding wildlife?
The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District warns that feeding wildlife, or leaving out garbage, pet food, or fallen fruit, encourages animals to linger, draws larger predators, and can make animals that associate people with food become aggressive, creating safety and public-health risks.
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