Sanford, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited acts
- Harass, trap, harm, shine lights, throw missiles
- Also barred
- Removing wild birds, eggs, nests
- Also barred
- Releasing wild animals into parks
- Enacted
- Ord. No. 4174, 5-11-2009
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Sanford City Code Sec. 62-67 makes it unlawful to harass, hunt, catch, harm, kill, trap, shine lights at or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird in a city park, and separately bars removing or possessing any wild bird, reptile, animal, egg or nest found there. Introducing a wild animal into a park is also prohibited.
(a)It is unlawful to harass, hunt, catch, harm, kill, trap, shine lights at or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird in any city park. ... (d)It is unlawful for a person to remove or have in his or her possession any wild reptile, bird or animal or the eggs or nest of young reptile or bird which is or was located in a city park.(e)It is unlawful to introduce into or leave any wild animal into or at a city park.
Full Breakdown
Article III of Sanford's parks chapter protects wildlife found on city park property with a broad list of prohibited acts. Section 62-67(a) makes it 'unlawful to harass, hunt, catch, harm, kill, trap, shine lights at or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird in any city park,' language broad enough to cover flashlight-spotlighting geese at night or throwing rocks at ducks along Lake Monroe. Subsection (d) separately bars removing or possessing 'any wild reptile, bird or animal or the eggs or nest of young reptile or bird which is or was located in a city park,' so picking up an abandoned nest or a downed egg from a park lawn is itself a violation, independent of any harm to the animal.
Subsection (e) closes the loop the other direction, making it unlawful to 'introduce into or leave any wild animal into or at a city park,' which reaches releasing a rehabilitated animal or an unwanted pet turtle into a park pond. The section traces to Ord. No. 4174 (2009) and was last amended by Ord. No. 4254 in 2011. Enforcement runs through Sec. 62-79's reference to the Code's general penalty at Sec. 1-7: a fine up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with the city able to seek additional civil remedies for repeat conduct.
Violations & Fines
Harassing, hunting, trapping, shining lights at, or throwing objects at any bird, reptile or animal in a Sanford city park violates Sec. 62-67(a); removing a wild bird, animal, egg or nest from a park violates Sec. 62-67(d); and releasing or abandoning a wild animal in a park violates Sec. 62-67(e). Sanford Police Department officers enforce these bans under the general penalty in Sec. 1-7, up to $500.00 or 60 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I catch or harass ducks and geese in a Sanford park?
Is it illegal to take a bird's nest or egg from a Sanford park?
What if I want to release a rescued animal in a Sanford park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sanford
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sanford to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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