WILDLIFE FEEDING PROHIBITION ORDINANCE

Section 1. Purpose 

The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the health and safety of residents, visitors, domestic animals, and native wildlife by prohibiting the intentional feeding of wild animals in a manner that encourages habituation, creates public nuisances, or increases the risk of human-wildlife conflicts.

The Town of Paleto Bay recognizes that feeding wildlife can alter natural behaviors, attract dangerous animals into populated areas, spread disease, and threaten the long-term health of wildlife populations.

Section 2. Definitions 

Wildlife means any undomesticated animal living in its natural habitat, including but not limited to deer, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, foxes, raccoons, wild boar, birds of prey, rodents, and other native or migratory species.

Feed means any food, grain, seed, fruit, meat, garbage, pet food, mineral supplement, or other substance intentionally placed for consumption by wildlife.

Intentional Feeding means knowingly placing or distributing food or attractants with the purpose or expectation of attracting wildlife.

Incidental Feeding means the unintentional consumption of naturally occurring vegetation or food sources not deliberately provided for wildlife.

Section 3. General Prohibition 

No person shall intentionally feed, bait, lure, or otherwise provide food or attractants to wildlife within the Town of Paleto Bay unless expressly authorized by this ordinance or applicable law.

The repeated placement of food in a manner that predictably attracts wildlife shall constitute intentional feeding.

Section 4. Prohibited Conduct 

No person shall:

1. Leave food, scraps, or garbage outdoors for the purpose of attracting wildlife.

2. Place grain, seed, or feed intended to attract deer, coyotes, bears, wild boar, or other large mammals.

3. Intentionally feed predators or scavengers.

4. Maintain feeding stations that create a public nuisance or safety hazard.

5. Place pet food outdoors in a manner that repeatedly attracts wildlife.

6. Discard food waste in parks, trails, forests, or other natural areas.

Section 5. Bird Feeders and Backyard Wildlife 

The use of bird feeders is permitted provided that:

• Feeders are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition;

• Seed spillage is minimized;

• Feeders do not repeatedly attract bears, coyotes, rodents, or other nuisance wildlife;

• Feeders are removed or modified when directed by the Town due to public safety concerns.

Residents shall promptly clean spilled seed and discontinue feeding if dangerous wildlife becomes habituated.

Section 6. Agricultural Activities 

Nothing in this ordinance prohibits:

• Lawful feeding of livestock;

• Storage or distribution of animal feed used in legitimate agricultural operations;

• Wildlife management activities authorized by governmental agencies;

• Approved research or conservation projects.

Reasonable measures shall be taken to minimize unintended attraction of wildlife.

Section 7. Emergency and Rehabilitation Exceptions 

This ordinance shall not prohibit:

• Feeding by licensed wildlife rehabilitators acting within the scope of their authorization;

• Emergency rescue operations;

• Veterinary treatment of injured wildlife;

• Government-authorized relocation or conservation activities.

Section 8. Wildlife Attractants 

Property owners shall take reasonable measures to secure garbage, compost, pet food, and other attractants that may repeatedly draw wildlife into residential or commercial areas.

The Town may require corrective action where unsecured attractants create recurring conflicts.

Section 9. Public Education 

The Town shall encourage educational programs informing residents and visitors about:

• Safe coexistence with wildlife;

• Proper waste storage;

• Responsible bird feeding practices;

• Avoiding habituation of wild animals;

• Reporting wildlife concerns.