Sioux City, IA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- All Sioux City parks and trail areas
- Prohibited acts
- Hunt, trap, kill, molest wild birds
- Nests/eggs
- Cannot remove or possess
- Penalty
- Simple misdemeanor, § 16.04.840
Summary
Sioux City bans hunting, molesting, or capturing wild birds and their eggs or nests in any city park or trail area.
No person shall, in a park or along trail areas: hunt, molest, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall any person remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest, or young of any reptile or bird; nor shall any person collect, remove, have in his possession, give away, sell or offer to sell, or buy or offer to buy, or accept as a gift, any wild animal, bird, or reptile. Exception to the foregoing is made for snakes known to be deadly poisonous, such as rattlesnakes, or other deadly reptiles, which may be killed on sight.
(Ord. 2007-0594, S-40163, 1980).
Full Breakdown
In Woodbury County, Sioux City's park code makes it unlawful to hunt, molest, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot at, or throw missiles at any bird within a city park or along a trail area. It is also unlawful to remove or possess the eggs or nest of any bird, or to collect, sell, buy, or give away any wild bird. A narrow exception exists for deadly poisonous snakes and reptiles, which may be killed on sight. Violating any park chapter provision is a simple misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Simple misdemeanor under Sioux City Municipal Code § 16.04.840; enforced by park staff and city peace officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a bird's nest from a Sioux City park?
Does the ban apply outside parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sioux City
Compare Sioux City to another location·View the Iowa animal ordinances overview
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