West Linn staff propose ordinance to curb large-scale feeding of wildlife after neighborhood complaints

City staff and a city attorney presented a draft ordinance that would give West Linn clearer authority to address repeated, large-scale feeding of wild animals that creates neighborhood nuisances.

Nicola, a staff member who handles code complaints, described repeated incidents that she said led to skunks, rats and mice congregating in neighborhoods and to pets becoming sick. "It's not getting to the root of the problem," she said, and estimated approximately "10 to 15" calls over the last few years relating to large-scale feeding, cautioning she did not want that exact number quoted as definitive.

City attorney (Kaylee) and city staff explained that existing nuisance provisions let council declare a public nuisance but that the existing code was not an efficient enforcement path for recurring neighborhood complaints. Staff recommended a narrowly tailored ordinance with an explicit exception for normal backyard bird feeding: "It is permissible to feed wild birds as long as it doesn't create an unreasonable disturbance that affects the rights of surrounding property owners," staff said.

Councilors asked whether normal bird feeders would be targeted; staff and the code-enforcement lead confirmed ordinary, incidental backyard bird feeding would not typically rise to a violation. Councilor Breich suggested simplifying definition language; staff said the "including but not limited to" clause gives needed flexibility for edge cases.

On balance, councilors indicated support for returning a refined ordinance for formal consideration. Mayor and council used a unanimous show-of-thumbs during the work session to direct staff to schedule the ordinance for a future council meeting where it could be adopted if desired.

Next steps: staff will refine definitions, confirm enforcement protocols and return the draft ordinance to the council for formal adoption consideration at a subsequent meeting.