Coral Gables, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Sanctuary area
- Entire city, since 1925
- Protected
- Wild birds and their nests
- Excluded
- Pigeons, chickens, ducks, roosters, fowl
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail
- Last amended
- Ord. No. 2024-43, Dec. 2024
Summary
The entire city is legally a bird sanctuary, making it unlawful to shoot, trap, kill, or destroy wild birds or their nests anywhere within Coral Gables' limits.
All territory embraced within the corporate limits of the city is hereby declared to be a bird sanctuary, excluding pigeons, chickens, ducks, roosters, and other domestic fowl from these protections.
(Code 1958, § 5-11; Code 1991, § 5-1; Code 2006, § 10-1; Ord. No. 23, § 1, 1-20-1925; Ord. No. 2024-43, § 2(Exh. A), 12-10-2024)
Sec. 10-2. - Same—Destruction of birds prohibited. Subject to the exclusions in section 10-1 and in accordance with any applicable state or federal laws, it shall be unlawful for any person to shoot, trap or in any manner kill or destroy birds or their nests within the territory embraced within the city.
(Code 1958, § 5-12; Code 1991, § 5-2; Code 2006, § 10-2; Ord. No. 23, § 2, 1-20-1925; Ord. No. 2024-43, § 2(Exh. A), 12-10-2024)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Fee Schedule: Supplement 2 | Zoning Code: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Since 1925, Coral Gables has declared its entire corporate limits a bird sanctuary under Sec. 10-1, though the protection excludes pigeons, chickens, ducks, roosters, and other domestic fowl. Sec. 10-2 backs that designation with a real prohibition: it's unlawful to shoot, trap, or in any manner kill or destroy wild birds or their nests anywhere in the city, subject to applicable state and federal wildlife law. The rule was last updated by Ord. No. 2024-43 in December 2024. Separately, Sec. 10-3 bans feeding or keeping pigeons, and Sec. 10-5 bars keeping domestic fowl on subdivided lots.
Violations & Fines
Violators face the city's general penalty: up to a $500 fine, 60 days in jail, or a civil fine up to $500 per Sec. 1-7; code enforcement board fines can run higher for continuing violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pigeons protected under Coral Gables' bird sanctuary law?
Can I remove a bird's nest from my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Coral Gables to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle bird protection.