Broward County, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 25½-3(c), Broward County Code
- Covers
- Harming, killing, trapping, capturing birds
- Also bans
- Removing bird eggs, nests, or young
- Scope
- County park property only
- Penalty
- Expulsion + §125.69 F.S. fine
Summary
Broward County's park code bans molesting, harming, killing, trapping, or capturing wild birds, and removing eggs, nests, or young, anywhere on county park property, with violators expelled and fined under state law.
No person shall molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, hunt, chase, capture, shoot, or throw missiles at any mammal, bird, reptile, butterfly, moth, spider, or amphibian; nor shall any person remove or possess the young of any wild animal or the eggs, nests or young of any reptile or bird; however, in all areas other than designated wilderness areas, snakes known to be deadly poisonous such as rattlesnakes, moccasins, coral snakes, or other deadly reptiles may be killed on sight if the threat of bodily harm is imminent. In all other instances when deadly poisonous snakes or reptiles are observed, division personnel should be notified immediately. Fishing is permitted in designated areas and only under the provisions, regulations and rules of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the State of Florida Department of Natural Resources.(d)Contraband. All game, mammals, fish, fowl, birds and other terrestrial and aquatic life hunted, killed, taken, destroyed, bought, sold, bartered or in the possession of any person contrary to any provisions hereof will be subject to seizure and confiscation and shall be turned over to the division for disposal. (Ord. No. 76-34, § 3, 8-10-76; Ord. No. 81-65, § 1, 6-18-81; Ord. No. 90-15, § 1, 7-10-90)
Cross reference— Animals and fowl, § 4-1 et seq.
Sec. 25½-4. - Recreational activities and facilities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Section 25½-3(c) of the Broward County Code prohibits anyone from molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, hunting, chasing, capturing, shooting, or throwing missiles at any bird, mammal, reptile, butterfly, moth, spider, or amphibian on county park property, and bars removing or possessing wild bird eggs, nests, or young. The only carve-out is for deadly poisonous snakes, which may be killed on sight outside designated wilderness areas if they pose an imminent threat; sightings elsewhere must be reported to park staff. The rule applies to the county's own park system. Sec. 25½-9 lets any law enforcement agency with jurisdiction enforce it, with violators punished under § 125.69, Florida Statutes, and expelled from the park.
Violations & Fines
Molesting, harming, killing, trapping, or capturing wild birds in a county park, or taking their eggs, nests, or young, violates § 125.69, Florida Statutes, and can mean expulsion from the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bird protection rule apply outside county parks?
What happens if I harm a bird in a Broward County park?
Are there exceptions for dangerous wildlife?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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