Alachua County, FL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Chapter 76, the Alachua County Park Rules, governs conduct on every property the Board of County Commissioners owns and designates as a park. Section 76.3 lists prohibited activities, and subsection (3) addresses wildlife directly: no person may feed or pet any wild animal found on park property, and, separately, no person may capture, collect, harm, or harass any animal life on park grounds, with a narrow carve-out for fish classified as 'edible' or 'game' species. The rule reaches beyond deer and geese; 'wild animals' and 'animal life' cover any creature living on park property, since the code defines park property to include the park's natural features, plants, and animals.

The prohibition applies unless the department has given prior special authorization, a license agreement, rental agreement, permit, or other written approval, for a specific activity, such as an educational program run by Parks and Open Spaces staff. Absent that written authorization, feeding wildlife is unlawful the same as vandalizing park property or setting off fireworks, both banned in the same section.

The Alachua County Parks and Open Spaces Department, or another department the county manager assigns, administers and enforces Chapter 76. A ranger or law enforcement officer who observes someone feeding wildlife may order that person to leave the park immediately, in addition to any penalty imposed under § 76.7.