Jacksonville Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 5-3 sits in Article I of Chapter 5, the Animal Code, and works in three subsections. Subsection (1) designates the entire area embraced within the corporate limits of the city as a bird sanctuary and authorizes the city manager to have the city so designated by appropriate signs. The designation is tied to the city limits, not to particular parks, zones or neighborhoods.

Subsection (2) is the operative prohibition. It is a violation to trap, hunt, or attempt to shoot or molest in any manner any bird, or to rob birds' nests. The section does not define molest, and the phrase in any manner is broad. The one exception covers a nuisance flock: if birds are found to be congregating in such numbers in a particular locality that they constitute a nuisance or a menace to health or property, they can be destroyed in such numbers and in such manner as is deemed advisable by the city authorities. That decision belongs to the city authorities, not to a neighbor who finds the flock a nuisance.

Subsection (3) routes violations to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for further investigation or disposition, so a wildlife complaint here goes to the state agency rather than ending at city hall.

Chapter 5 is enforced under § 5-23 by the animal control officers, law enforcement officers and code enforcement officers of the City of Jacksonville Beach. Under § 5-24(4), an ACO or LEO can cite a person only when the officer has received a sworn affidavit from an adult witness or has personally witnessed the violation. Chapter 5 also separately bars maintaining or feeding any animal, domesticated or wild, in a way that creates a nuisance or unsanitary conditions (§ 5-33(4)).