Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Shawnee County

Shawnee County, KS Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Covered areas: All county parks (90+ listed in Sec. 21-31)
Prohibited acts: Hunting, trapping, killing, or molesting park wildlife
Only exception: Director-approved trapping permission
Enforcement: County park police, Sec. 21-32
First-offense fine: $50.00 under Sec. 2-132(a)(8)
Appeal window: 5 days, filed with the county clerk

Summary

Every county park is legally a game sanctuary under Shawnee County Code Sec. 21-35: hunting, shooting, trapping, injuring, or otherwise "molesting in any way any bird or animal on or within the parks" is unlawful. Only the director of county parks and recreation can authorize an exception, and only for trapping, by special permission.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Shawnee County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

County parks are game sanctuaries. Hunting, shooting, killing, trapping, injuring, pursuing, or molesting in any way any bird or animal on or within the parks is unlawful except when special permission for trapping has been authorized by the director of county parks and recreation.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 1).

Full Breakdown

Section 21-35 sits in Article II, "Park Use Rules and Regulations," which governs every county parks and recreation department facility listed in Sec. 21-31, from Gage Park and Lake Shawnee to more than 90 named parks, greenways, and boat ramps across the county. " A companion rule, Sec. 21-36, likewise bans removing or disturbing "pinecones, acorns, walnuts, chestnuts, shredded tree bark, tree twigs, tree branches, flowers, Osage oranges, and hedge balls" from the same parks, underscoring that the parks function as protected natural areas rather than open hunting or foraging ground.

Enforcement falls to "park police and other authorized persons" under Sec. 21-32(a), who can arrest for violations of the article, and it is separately unlawful under Sec. 21-32(b) to disobey a lawful order from a parks official or peace officer. Anyone cited can appeal: Sec. 21-6(b) lets a person contest a suspension, forfeiture, or revocation of park privileges by filing with the county clerk within five days of the decision, for a hearing at the board of county commissioners' next regular meeting.

Violations & Fines

Violations of the park-use article, including harming or molesting park wildlife, are fined under the county's Code Sec. 2-132(a)(8) "park rules violation" schedule: $50.00 for a first conviction, $100.00 for a second, and $500.00 for a third conviction. The director of parks and recreation may separately suspend or revoke park privileges for up to one year for the same conduct under Sec. 21-6(a).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt or trap animals in a Shawnee County park?

No. Section 21-35 declares every county park a game sanctuary and makes it unlawful to hunt, shoot, kill, trap, injure, pursue, or molest any bird or animal there. The only exception is trapping specifically authorized in advance by the director of county parks and recreation.

Does this rule cover more than just hunting?

Yes. It bars any act that "molests" a bird or animal, which parks staff and enforcement read broadly, and Sec. 21-36 separately protects plant material like pinecones, tree branches, and flowers in the same parks, reinforcing that county parks are managed as protected natural areas.

What happens if I violate the rule?

You can be fined $50.00 for a first conviction, $100.00 for a second, and $500.00 for a third under Code Sec. 2-132(a)(8), and the parks director may also suspend or revoke your park privileges for up to a year under Sec. 21-6(a). You can appeal to the county clerk within five days.

Sources & Official References

[1]Shawnee County Code of Ordinances (Municode)

Other rules in Shawnee County

Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresLight Restrictions Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant Restrictions Cat RulesFew Restrictions Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: FireworksSome Restrictions

All Shawnee County rules

Compare Shawnee County to another location·View the Kansas animal ordinances overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.