Chandler, AZ Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 31-5 of the Chandler City Code sets out prohibited uses and activities in city parks and facilities. Subsection G, "Mistreatment of animals," specifically bars "[t]aking, killing, wounding, disturbing or mistreating any bird or animal, either wild or domesticated," anywhere in a park or facility administered by the Community Services Department, unless the animal has been formally declared noxious by the Director. A companion provision, § 31-5P, separately prohibits "harassing, approaching, or otherwise intentionally disturbing wildlife occurring in parks," reinforcing the bird-and-wildlife protection with a broader disturbance standard that does not require proof of physical injury.

Section 31-5M further bars collecting or removing plants, animals and other natural items from parks or facilities, with narrow carve-outs for licensed anglers fishing in designated urban fishing program lakes and permit holders collecting designated items for research or education. Together these sections cover birds nesting or foraging in Chandler's parks, greenbelts and lake areas, and they apply regardless of whether the bird is a protected native species or a common park bird, since the ordinance's wording draws no species distinction. 3.