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Council holds first reading of ordinance to ban feeding wild animals; council suggests adding squirrels
Summary
City Attorney presented Ordinance 5026 (first read) creating a prohibition on intentionally feeding wild animals (deer, raccoons, seagulls, pigeons; council suggested including squirrels). The measure exempts bird feeders and fallen landscaping fruit; penalties are civil infractions ($25 first, $50 subsequent).
City Attorney Darcy Swedenham presented Ordinance 5026 on its first reading, which would add a municipal code chapter prohibiting intentional feeding of wild animals to reduce disease, habituation and collisions with vehicles.
The draft defines wild animals as non-domestic species and calls out deer, raccoons, seagulls and pigeons; Councilmember Hunt recommended adding squirrels, and Swedenham indicated that language can be adjusted before final reading. The proposal preserves lawful bird feeders (including hummingbird feeders) and landscaping-produced fruit that falls to the ground.
Penalties in the draft are civil infractions: a $25 fine for a first violation and $50 (plus assessments) for subsequent offenses. The ordinance is a first read; councilmembers requested public notice and an opportunity for public comment before final action.
