Wildlife Feeding: Los Angeles vs South Gate
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and South Gate, CA?
Los Angeles and South Gate have similar restriction levels.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LAMC 53.06.5 prohibits feeding non-domesticated mammalian predators including coyotes, bears, and mountain lions. Feeding creates public safety hazards by habituating wildlife to humans. Violations may result in fines. LA Animal Services and CA Department of Fish and Wildlife handle wildlife complaints.
View full Los Angeles rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate does not have a dedicated municipal anti-wildlife-feeding ordinance, but feeding wildlife that creates a public nuisance — attracting rats, raccoons, coyotes, opossums or feral cats — is abatable under Title 4 Animals and Chapter 7.22 Animal Control, and the resulting rodent harborage is a violation of LA County Department of Public Health rules. California Fish & Game Code §2000 and §251.1 prohibit harassment of game mammals (including by harmful feeding), and CDFW formally advises that intentionally feeding deer, bears or coyotes is illegal when it leads to depredation. SEAACA handles wildlife-attractant complaints.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Los Angeles | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibited | Feeding coyotes, bears, mountain lions | - |
| Code Section | LAMC 53.06.5 | - |
| Purpose | Prevent habituation to humans | - |
| Enforcement | LA Animal Services, CDFW | - |
| Local code | - | South Gate MC Ch. 7.22 Animal Control & Ch. 6 Health/Sanitation |
| State law | - | Cal. Fish & Game Code §2000 et seq. (harassment of game mammals) |
| State guidance | - | CDFW 'Keep Me Wild' — do not feed bears, coyotes, deer |
| County overlay | - | LA County Dept. of Public Health — rodent harborage / vector control |
| Trash containers | - | LA Sanitation contract — animal-proof carts required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Los Angeles FAQ
Can I feed birds in my yard?
Generally yes, but Los Angeles may restrict bird feeders in areas with bear or other wildlife activity. Check local rules.
Is it illegal to feed stray cats?
Feral cat colony management rules vary in Los Angeles. Casual feeding may violate wildlife feeding ordinances.
South Gate FAQ
Is it illegal to feed pigeons or stray cats in South Gate?
Not categorically, but if your feeding creates a sanitary nuisance — accumulating droppings, attracting rats, or sustaining an unmanaged feral-cat colony — SEAACA and LA County Public Health can order it stopped under South Gate MC Chapter 7.22 and Chapter 6.
Can I keep bird feeders?
Yes, hummingbird and songbird feeders maintained sanitarily are not prohibited. Clean spilled seed daily, keep feeders away from neighbor fences, and remove the feeder if it begins attracting rats — which is a Chapter 7.22 nuisance.
Are coyotes a real concern in South Gate?
Coyotes do range through urban LA County. CDFW guidance — and Cal. Fish & Game Code §2000 — discourage feeding coyotes because habituated coyotes become a public-safety threat. Do not leave pet food outside, and secure trash.
Who do I call about a wildlife-attractant problem?
SEAACA at 562-803-3301 for animal complaints; LA County Department of Public Health for rodent harborage; CDFW for sick or dangerous wildlife.
Compare other topics
See how Los Angeles and South Gate compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool