Margate, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 6-1 of the Margate Code declares all territory within the City limits of the City of Margate a bird and wildlife sanctuary. It is unlawful to take, capture, ensnare, net, trap, or in any other manner molest any bird or wildlife, or to molest the nest eggs of any bird or the nest of any wildlife.

The only route to lawful removal is a written permit. The permit is issued after the animal control officer determines that the animals have created a nuisance, and the animals or birds can then be removed only as the officer specifies. The officer also reserves the right to revoke or deny a permit for violators and when conditions are not favorable for trapping or removing. Noncompliance is a violation of the section.

Subsection (b), added by Ordinance No. 2025-3 on May 21, 2025, excepts non-native, invasive iguana species, the cane toad (also known as bufo, giant, or marine toad), and any other non-native invasive species designated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Section 6-25(c) backs that up: those species can be captured and humanely euthanized with the property owner's permission, following the Commission's and the American Veterinary Medical Association's guidelines, and any projectile used must comply with Section 33-15 of the City Code.

Related sections round out the picture. Section 6-2 authorizes the Audubon Society to erect signs saying the city is a bird sanctuary, and any appropriate society to erect wildlife sanctuary signs. Section 6-60 bars keeping chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or doves in the city but excludes migratory birds, and Section 6-63 makes it unlawful to feed or leave food for ducks that are not lawfully housed under Section 6-60. The animal control officer enforces the chapter through warnings, summonses, citations and impounding under Section 6-78.