Bonita Springs, FL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Sec. 28-27 of the Bonita Springs Code, in Chapter 28 (Parks and Recreation), protects wildlife on city park property. Its last sentence is the feeding ban: no person shall give or offer, or attempt to give to any animal, or wild animal, any food item, tobacco, alcohol, foreign object or other known noxious substances. The same section bars taking, molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, hunting, chasing, teasing, shooting, or throwing missiles at any animal, and it bars possessing the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nests of any reptile or birds. Taking live shellfish from park property requires proper authorization from the state.

Food left behind is covered separately. Sec. 28-32(d) says no person may leave unused foods or other products in any park after completing use, because of spoilage, attraction to wild and domestic animals foraging, and other sanitary issues. Sec. 28-34 also prohibits domesticated animals on park property, whether or not under restraint, with exceptions such as service animals and guide dogs, police dogs or horses on duty, and horses in designated equestrian areas, and the city council can designate specific parks by resolution where animals are allowed.

The fine schedule in Sec. 28-47 lists wildlife protection under Sec. 28-27 at $300.00 with mandatory court appearance and restitution for the first, second and third offense, and failure to remove picnic items under Sec. 28-32(d) at $75.00, $150.00 and $300.00. The rule applies in city parks. This record does not cover feeding wildlife on private property.