Auburn, WA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited conduct
- feeding, touching, or molesting wild birds/animals
- Also banned
- giving wildlife tobacco, drink, or noxious items
- Applies in
- all city of Auburn parks
- Related rule
- dogs/cats leashed to 8 feet, ACC 2.22.120
- Violation penalty
- Class 1 civil infraction, Ch. 7.80 RCW
Summary
Feeding any wild bird or animal in an Auburn city park is unlawful under ACC 2.22.130, along with touching, molesting, or offering wildlife tobacco, alcohol, or anything else known to be dangerous or noxious. The rule protects park wildlife from harassment and unsafe handouts, and violators face a civil infraction.
No person shall molest or attempt to touch any bird or wild animal in a park. It shall be unlawful for any person to give, offer, or attempt to give to any wild animal within the parks any tobacco, drink, or other article known to be dangerous or noxious to animals. It is also unlawful to feed any wild bird or animal in a park. Violation of this section constitutes a Class 1 civil infraction pursuant to Chapter 7.80 RCW.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
130 combines three separate prohibitions in one section: no person may molest or attempt to touch any bird or wild animal in a park; no person may give, offer, or attempt to give a wild animal tobacco, drink, or any other article known to be dangerous or noxious to animals; and no person may feed any wild bird or animal at all, regardless of what's offered. The feeding ban is absolute; it does not carve out bread, seed, or other 'harmless' handouts. 140, which makes an animal's owner liable for the full value of any park property the animal damages or destroys, on top of impounding fees.
120(F), Auburn Title 6 animal-control provisions remain fully enforceable in every park, so an animal control officer, not just a police officer, can act on a feeding or harassment complaint.
Violations & Fines
Violating ACC 2.22.130 constitutes a Class 1 civil infraction under Chapter 7.80 RCW, the park code's mid-level infraction class. An officer who stops someone for feeding or molesting park wildlife can detain them for a reasonable period to verify identity and check for outstanding warrants under ACC 2.22.250. If a fed or harassed animal ends up damaging park property, ACC 2.22.140 separately makes the animal's owner liable for the full repair or replacement cost plus impounding fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed ducks or geese at an Auburn park?
Is it illegal to pet a wild animal in an Auburn park?
What happens if my dog damages park property while off leash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
Compare Auburn to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle wildlife feeding.