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Lincoln, NE Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
LMC § 12.08.220
Scope
All city parks and park facilities
Covers
Birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, fish
Exemption
City employees/contractors on official duty
Fishing carve-out
Fish only, per state fishing law

Summary

Lincoln makes it unlawful to tease, injure, kill, catch, or remove birds from any city park, protecting wild birds in parkland from harassment.

It shall be unlawful for any person to in any manner tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure, kill, or remove from any park any animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish; provided, that it shall not be unlawful to catch fish pursuant to state fishing laws in city-owned ponds, lakes, and waterways, except those located within golf courses.

https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/lincoln-ne/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-6263

756/1518

8/11/26, 11:58 PM

Document Viewer | Municipal Code

Nothing in this section shall prevent an appropriately authorized city employee or city contractor from catching or removing any animal from any park while in the performance of his/her official duties.

(Ord. 21449 §8; April 10, 2023: P.C. § 12.08.130: Ord. 13204 § 10; September 14, 1981: Ord. 3489 § 30-113, as amended by Ord. 5775; July 12, 1954).

Source: Nebraska Game and ParksView official code

Full Breakdown

Lincoln Municipal Code § 12.08.220 bars anyone from teasing, annoying, disturbing, molesting, catching, injuring, killing, or removing any animal from a city park, and the section names birds specifically alongside reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish. The ban covers every park and park facility citywide. City employees and contractors are exempt when removing or catching an animal in the course of their official duties, and the fishing carve-out applies only to fish, not birds.

Violations & Fines

Violating § 12.08.220 is a misdemeanor under Lincoln's general parks-code penalty provisions; Parks and Recreation staff and Lincoln Police enforce the ban and can cite anyone caught harming, catching, or removing birds from park property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I catch or move a bird I find in a Lincoln park?
No. LMC § 12.08.220 makes it unlawful to catch or remove any bird from a city park unless you are an authorized city employee or contractor on official duty.
Does the park bird ban apply to feeding or scaring off geese?
The section bars teasing, disturbing, or molesting birds in parks, so harassing or scaring geese could violate it; it does not separately address feeding.

Sources & Official References

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All Lincoln rules

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