West Palm Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- City Code §§ 14-2, 14-3
- Bird sanctuary scope
- Entire city
- Prohibited acts
- Kill, wound, maim, shoot, trap birds
- Nest/egg protection
- Disturbing eggs, young or nests banned
- Penalty (via § 1-13)
- Up to $500.00 or 60 days
Summary
West Palm Beach has declared the entire city a bird sanctuary. City Code § 14-3 makes it unlawful to shoot, trap, kill, wound or maim any bird, throw a missile or slingshot at one, or disturb its eggs, young or nest anywhere in city limits.
Sec. 14-2. - Bird sanctuary established. It is hereby declared that all territory embraced within the city shall be a bird sanctuary. Sec. 14-3. - Destruction, etc., of birds, bird nests, etc. It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to shoot, trap or in any manner kill, wound or maim any bird of any kind or throw at any birds of any kind with any missile, slingshots or any other weapon or disturb their eggs or their young or their nests.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 76).
Full Breakdown
" That blanket designation covers the entire municipal boundary, not just parks or specific habitats. Section 14-3 then supplies the operative prohibition, making it unlawful for any person within the city to shoot, trap or in any manner kill, wound or maim any bird of any kind, or to throw at any bird with a missile, slingshot or any other weapon, or to disturb its eggs, its young, or its nest. The prohibition sweeps broadly: "any bird of any kind" is not limited to protected or native species, and the ban on disturbing eggs, young or nests reaches beyond direct harm to the bird itself, covering nest removal or destruction that would not necessarily injure an adult bird.
Both sections trace to Code 1979, §§ 6-3 and 6-4, placing them in chapter 14, article I, the general animal provisions that sit ahead of the separate dog and cat articles. 00, imprisonment not exceeding 60 days, or both, with each day a violation continues counted as a separate offense. 18, meaning a violator can face both a city citation and separate state charges for the same conduct.
Violations & Fines
Shooting, trapping, killing, wounding or maiming a bird, throwing a missile or slingshot at one, or disturbing its eggs, young or nest anywhere in the city is punishable under the Code's general penalty in § 1-13: a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all of West Palm Beach a bird sanctuary?
Can I disturb a bird's nest on my own property in West Palm Beach?
What is the penalty for violating West Palm Beach's bird protection ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Palm Beach
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Palm Beach County handle bird protection.