Washington County, MN Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ordinance No. 218, Ch. V § 2
- Prohibited
- killing, trapping, hunting or harassing wildlife
- Covers
- birds under the ordinance's Wildlife definition
- Exception
- Director-designated hunting/fishing areas only
- Penalty
- petty misdemeanor, fine to park fund
Summary
Washington County's park ordinance (No. 218, Chapter V, Section 2) makes it unlawful to kill, trap, hunt, harass or disturb any species of wildlife, including birds, in a county park or conservation area, except in areas the Director designates for hunting.
It shall be unlawful for any person to: a. kill, trap, hunt, remove, harass, pursue or in any manner disturb or cause to be disturbed, any species of wildlife, or byproduct of wildlife, except as permitted in designated areas... "Wildlife" means any living creature, not human, wild by nature, endowed with sensation, power of voluntary motion, including but not limited to mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Full Breakdown
Chapter V, Section 2 ('Wildlife') of Parks Ordinance No. 218 protects every bird found in a Washington County park or conservation area. including but not limited to mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and mollusks,' so songbirds, waterfowl and raptors on county land all fall under Section 2's protection. Subsection (a) bars anyone from killing, trapping, hunting, removing, harassing, pursuing, or in any manner disturbing wildlife or a wildlife byproduct 'except as permitted in designated areas,' meaning hunting or trapping is allowed only where the Parks Director has specifically designated it.
Subsection (c) separately bars releasing or abandoning any animal in a park without a use permit, which prevents people from dumping unwanted pet birds or waterfowl. 35. Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies, licensed peace officers, and Parks Division staff enforce the section under Chapter VIII, Section 1.
Violations & Fines
Harassing, trapping or killing a bird outside a designated area is a petty misdemeanor under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.02, subdivision 4a, carrying a fine up to the statutory maximum that is deposited into the county park fund under Chapter VIII, Section 2. Sheriff's Office deputies and Parks staff can also revoke any related use permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are birds protected in Washington County parks?
Can I hunt birds in a Washington County park?
What's the penalty for harassing wildlife in a county park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
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