Walton County, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 14-4 of Chapter 14, Parks and Recreation, adopted by Ordinance No. 2023-20 on October 9, 2023, protects wildlife on Walton County park property, which the chapter defines to include the county's recreational areas, preserves, natural areas, recreation fields, playgrounds, wayside parks, waterways, boat ramps and other grounds and structures maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department (it excludes land under long-term lease and facilities run by the Tourist Development Council). Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to molest, harm, frighten, kill, net, trap, snare, hunt, chase, shoot, or throw or propel missiles at any wildlife creature, whether mammal, bird, amphibian or reptile, roaming free about a park, unless the animal poses a threat of serious injury or death.

The subsection separately bars removing or possessing the young of any wild animal or the nest of any reptile or bird found on park grounds. The companion subsection (a) protects park vegetation itself, barring anyone from cutting or injuring bark, breaking limbs, picking flowers or seeds, or otherwise damaging trees, plants or shrubs without the director's prior approval, though the director may issue specimen-collecting permits to scientists and students of botany. The director designated under Section 14-1 is the department director of Parks and Recreation or their designee; enforcement of Chapter 14 falls to sheriff's deputies, code enforcement and designated park officials under Section 14-22.

This is a parks-specific rule: it protects birds and other wildlife found on county park property rather than imposing a countywide wildlife-protection code, so activity outside park boundaries is governed by state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules, not this section.