Fort Lauderdale, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 6-10 of the animal control chapter flatly prohibits killing or destroying birds anywhere in Fort Lauderdale: it is unlawful for any person except a duly authorized state game warden, or a licensed veterinarian or someone working under a veterinarian's supervision, to shoot, trap, or in any manner kill or destroy birds within the city. The rule dates to a 1953 Code provision renumbered by Ordinance No. C-81-84 in 1981 and has not been amended since. The prohibition applies equally to native and non-native species; the text does not exempt nuisance birds such as pigeons or grackles, since the only carve-outs are for game wardens and veterinary professionals.

It sits alongside a companion rule at section 6-15 banning the feeding of high-risk rabies species like raccoons and bats near the beach, and section 6-11, which requires anyone keeping or displaying birds, pets or fowl to shade them from the sun and provide food, water and ventilation. Because the bird-killing ban carries no chapter-specific penalty of its own, a violation defaults to the general Code penalty at section 1-6: a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense. Fort Lauderdale police and code compliance officers enforce the section.