Hackensack, NJ Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited acts
- hunt, harm, trap, shoot at birds
- Also banned
- possessing wild bird eggs or nests
- Location covered
- city parks and public areas
- Related rule
- no substances that injure birds/wildlife
- Maximum penalty
- $2,000 fine or 90 days
- Immediate remedy
- removal from the park
Summary
Hackensack's park rules make it unlawful to hunt, harm, trap, chase, shoot at or otherwise molest any bird in a city park or public area, or to possess the eggs or nest of a wild bird. The rule sits in Chapter 117's animal provisions alongside a leash requirement and a park-wide ban on damaging vegetation that could injure birds or wildlife.
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw any missile at any animal or bird, or have in his possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest of any birds.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4592721; v20 updated 2026-01-06; through 01-06-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 117-2A(3), part of Chapter 117's park rules, prohibits anyone in a Hackensack public park or public area from hunting, molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, chasing, teasing, shooting or throwing any missile at an animal or bird, or possessing the young of a wild animal or the eggs or nest of a bird. The protection applies specifically to city parks and other public areas, not to birds generally on private property. A related vegetation rule in § 117-4B separately bars spraying or depositing any substance in a park that could injure or kill birds or wildlife, or that could damage trees or vegetation, reinforcing the park's bird-protection purpose.
Chapter 117 also regulates other park conduct enforced alongside this bird provision, including a leash and dog-access rule in § 117-2A(1) and a fishing restriction in § 117-2A(4) that limits fishing to waters the Superintendent of Public Works designates for that purpose. Violations of the park rules can also lead to removal from the park facility itself under § 117-1A, independent of any court penalty.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 117-2, including harming or trapping a bird in a city park, is subject to the penalties established in § 1-15 of the Code, meaning a fine of up to $2,000, up to 90 days' imprisonment, or up to 90 days of community service, at the court's discretion. Chapter 117 separately allows removal from the park at the time of the violation, regardless of whether a summons is later issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to disturb birds in a Hackensack park?
Does the bird protection rule apply outside of city parks?
What happens if someone is caught harming birds in a Hackensack park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hackensack
Compare Hackensack to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
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