Bellevue, WA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- Leaving or distributing food to feed park wildlife
- Exemption
- Parks department staff feeding wildlife are excluded
- Enforcement
- City manager or designee under Chapter 3.43 BCC
- First penalty
- 1-7 day park expulsion under BCC 3.43.320
- Repeat penalty
- Up to one year expulsion for repeat violations
Summary
Bellevue prohibits leaving, placing or distributing food in any city park with intent to feed farm animals or wildlife, under BCC 3.43.090. The rule targets geese, ducks, deer and other park wildlife and exempts only city parks department staff performing authorized feeding. It sits inside Chapter 3.43's parks conduct code, enforced by the city manager or a designee.
It is unlawful for any person to leave, place or distribute foodstuffs of any kind or nature in any park, with an intent to feed farm animals or wildlife; provided, this section shall not apply to the feeding of farm animals or wildlife by parks department personnel.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 6929, passed July 14, 2026).
Full Breakdown
030. 080 separately makes it unlawful to capture, strike, kill or harass wildlife with a stick, weapon or thrown object, except when the city manager approves capture for research or relocation. 090 exists as its own provision. The feeding ban applies parkwide, not just in posted refuge areas, and its only carve-out is for parks department personnel performing authorized feeding. 320, rather than a standalone fine schedule specific to feeding.
Violations & Fines
Feeding wildlife in a Bellevue park violates BCC 3.43.090 and is enforceable through Chapter 3.43's general park-offense scheme. A first violation can bring expulsion from all city parks for one to seven days under BCC 3.43.320(A)(6). A person expelled twice within 30 days, or who commits more than one chapter violation in 30 days, faces expulsion of seven days up to one year under BCC 3.43.320(B). Expulsion orders must be in writing, served personally or by certified mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed the geese at a Bellevue park?
What happens if I get caught feeding deer or ducks in a Bellevue park?
Does the wildlife feeding ban apply to my backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellevue
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle wildlife feeding.