Minneapolis, MN Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- Minneapolis parks and parkways only
- Prohibited
- Killing, capturing, or injuring birds/wildlife
- Prohibited
- Trapping, snaring, or netting birds
- Enforcement
- Park Police, Park Patrol Agents
- Citation
- Park Board Code §§ PB2-8, PB2-9
Summary
Minneapolis parks and parkways ban killing, capturing, or injuring wild birds and destroying their nests, plus any trapping of birds or wildlife, under Park Board Code §§ PB2-8 and PB2-9.
No person shall rob, injure or destroy any bird's nest within the limits of any park or parkway, nor air or discharge any air gun, sling-shot, or other weapon, or throw any stone or other missile at any bird or bird's nest or wild creature within any park or parkway, nor in any manner capture or kill any bird or wild creature therein. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1010.120)
PB2-9. - Trapping. No person shall at any time set, lay, prepare or have in possession any trap, snare, artificial light, net, bird line, ferret or any contrivance whatever, for the purpose of catching, taking or killing any bird or wild creature in any park or parkway. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1010.130)
PB2-10. - Use of grounds and facilities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Inside Minneapolis parks and parkways, Park Board Code § PB2-8 bars robbing, injuring, or destroying a bird's nest, firing an air gun, sling-shot, or other weapon or missile at a bird or wild creature, or capturing or killing any bird or wild creature. § PB2-9 separately bans possessing any trap, snare, net, bird line, or ferret for catching, taking, or killing a bird or wild creature on park property. Minneapolis Park Police and Park Patrol Agents enforce both as administrative offenses under Chapter 14; unpaid penalties can be recharged as a petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Violations are cited as administrative offenses by Park Police or Park Patrol Agents; unpaid fines can be recharged as a petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor under Park Board Code § PB14-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply outside Minneapolis parks?
Can I feed birds in a Minneapolis park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
Compare Minneapolis to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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