Broome County, NY Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No open-ground feeding of fowl/birds/animals
- Requirement
- Feed only from a suitable, contained feeder
- Purpose
- Prevent scattered food attracting rodents
- Enforcing agency
- Broome County Department of Health
- Civil penalty
- Up to $500 per violation
Summary
Broome County doesn't ban feeding deer, geese or backyard birds outright, but its Sanitary Code requires anyone doing it to use a container. Section 305-25(E) makes it illegal to scatter feed on open ground for domesticated or wild fowl, birds or animals when that scattered food could attract rodents, insects or other vermin.
E. No person shall feed in the open any domesticated or wild fowls, birds or animals other than in a suitable container and in such a manner so as to prevent scattering of food upon the ground or ground level which will or can provide food for rodents, insects, vermin or other pests.
Full Breakdown
This restriction sits inside Article VI, Rodent Control, as one of the occupant duties in §305-25, alongside requirements to dispose of garbage and rubbish only in required containers (B) and to provide rodent stoppage when ordered (C). ' A backyard bird feeder, suet cage or other contained feeding setup that keeps food off the ground satisfies the rule; it's loose scraps or spilled feed on open ground that violate it. Enforcement follows the same Article VII process as every other Sanitary Code provision: Health Department inspection (§305-26), investigation of a complaint (§305-27), written notice of violation with a correction period (§305-28), and, if uncorrected, a formal finding of violation with a hearing before a Hearing Officer (§305-30).
Violations & Fines
A violation of §305-25(E) carries the chapter's general penalty under §305-41: a civil penalty of up to $500, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense, or a criminal fine of $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for a second offense, plus up to 15 days in jail for either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed birds in my backyard in Broome County?
Is feeding deer or geese illegal in Broome County?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broome County
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