Southampton, NY Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Southampton protects nesting shorebirds through its dog and domestic animal law rather than a standalone wildlife statute. Section 150-5.1(A) allows dogs and domestic animals onto Town-owned beach recreation facilities only from October 1 through March 30, and only when the animal is under the immediate supervision and control of its owner and any waste is removed, except for two Parks Superintendent-designated parking areas at Foster Memorial Beach ('Long Beach,' Noyac) and the Sand Bar Beach Access Area in Hampton Bays. Regardless of that season, the section flatly bars any dog or domestic animal from coming within 50 feet of any symbolic fencing or area posted for the protection of piping plovers and other endangered species, and the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation must post signage at beach recreation facilities notifying visitors of the restriction and its penalties.

The Town backs this up in § 150-5(F), which separately makes it unlawful for a dog to enter the dune area outside a designated walkway or to enter any area restricted and posted for piping plover or endangered species protection. The same 50-foot buffer around posted plover fencing also applies on regulated access roads under § 150-5.1(B)(5), and the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty or the Parks Superintendent can add further seasonal leashing rules consistent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Atlantic Coast Piping Plover Recovery Plan.

Violations are enforced by park rangers, bay constables, code enforcement officers, the Animal Control Officer, peace officers and Town police under § 150-14, with penalties set by § 150-15: up to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $500 for a second, and $500 to $1,000 for a third, plus a mandatory $100 animal welfare surcharge on every conviction.