Wildlife Feeding: Sutter vs Yuba City
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Sutter, CA and Yuba City, CA?
Sutter, CA
Sutter County
No data available yet for Sutter.
Yuba City, CA
Sutter County
Yuba City has an explicit ordinance — YCMC §4-12.480, adopted as Ordinance 002-15 on Feb. 17, 2015 — that makes it unlawful to create a public nuisance by free-feeding any wild animals, including feral cats. Putting out more food than a person's lawfully owned domesticated cats can reasonably eat is prohibited. The ordinance was driven by the city's well-known feral chicken (~1,000 birds) and feral cat population issues.
View full Yuba City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Sutter | Yuba City |
|---|---|---|
| Local feeding ordinance? | - | Yes — YCMC §4-12.480 |
| Adopted | - | Feb. 17, 2015 (Ordinance 002-15) |
| What is prohibited | - | Free-feeding wild animals & feral cats |
| TNR exception? | - | Yes — for city-recognized Trap-Neuter-Release participants |
| State overlay | - | Cal. F&G Code §251.1; 14 CCR §251.3 |
| Max local fine | - | $500 (escalating) + misdemeanor option |
| Max state fine | - | $1,000 + 6 months jail (Cal. F&G Code §12000) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Sutter FAQ
No FAQs available.
Yuba City FAQ
Can I feed feral cats in Yuba City?
Only within a city-recognized Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program. YCMC §4-12.480 makes it unlawful to free-feed feral cats or any wild animals outside of a sanctioned TNR effort, and the city actively enforces this due to its persistent feral cat and feral chicken populations.
What about feeding the wild chickens?
Free-feeding wild animals is expressly prohibited by §4-12.480. While the wild chickens are a beloved local icon, residents may not put out food that sustains the flock — the ordinance was adopted specifically to address feral animal feeding.
Can I leave food out for my own outdoor cat?
Yes, but you may not make available "more food supply than is reasonably adequate for the number of legally allowed domesticated cats the person may care for." Excess food that attracts wildlife violates §4-12.480.
Who enforces this?
Yuba City Code Enforcement (530-822-4626) is the primary enforcer for §4-12.480. CDFW wardens have concurrent authority for state-law wildlife harassment violations under Cal. F&G Code §251.1.
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