Wildlife Feeding: Mountain View vs Sunnyvale
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Mountain View and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Feeding wild animals including deer, raccoons, coyotes, and waterfowl is prohibited in Mountain View to prevent dependency and safety issues, especially near Shoreline Park habitat areas.
View full Mountain View rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Intentionally feeding coyotes, raccoons, skunks, deer, feral cats, or non-songbird wildlife is prohibited in Sunnyvale as a public nuisance due to the risk of human-wildlife conflict in Baylands-adjacent neighborhoods.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Wild mammal feeding | Prohibited | - |
| Waterfowl feeding | Restricted | - |
| Songbird feeders | Allowed with maintenance | - |
| Feral cat feeding | Restricted | - |
| First offense fine | Around 100 dollars | - |
| Prohibited feeding | - | Coyotes, deer, raccoons, turkeys |
| Feral cats | - | TNR programs only |
| Songbirds | - | Allowed with clean feeders |
| Enforcement | - | Animal Control / Code Enforcement |
| Hotspot | - | Baylands-adjacent streets |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can I feed ducks at Shoreline Lake?
Feeding waterfowl at Shoreline Lake is discouraged and may be cited due to water quality and wildlife health impacts.
Are hummingbird feeders okay?
Yes, hummingbird and songbird feeders are permitted if kept clean and not creating a nuisance.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Can I leave water out for wildlife in a drought?
Water for songbirds and domestic pets is allowed. Water stations that intentionally attract deer or coyotes are treated the same as feeding.
Is feeding squirrels a violation?
Incidental feeding from a bird feeder is tolerated, but deliberate hand-feeding or ground feeding that attracts raccoons and rats can result in a nuisance citation.
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