Burien, WA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Chapter 6.40 of the Burien Municipal Code, Feeding of Birds and Wildlife, has two sections. BMC 6.40.100 is the rule and BMC 6.40.200 is the enforcement clause. The rule reaches any person who feeds, or allows animals or birds to feed, outdoors. It covers domestic animals and wild animals and birds alike, so a pile of pet food left on a porch and seed or scraps put out for wildlife fall under the same sentence.

The code does not ban feeding outright. It sets two tests, tied to timing and numbers. Under subsection (1), feeding is unlawful when it happens at such times and in such numbers that it creates an unreasonable disturbance or accumulation of droppings on surrounding properties, and the text expressly includes public property. Under subsection (2), feeding is unlawful when it allows feed or edible waste to remain uneaten for more than four hours. The four-hour limit is the only number in the chapter.

BMC 6.40.200 states that violation of the chapter is enforced as provided in Chapter 1.15 BMC, the city's code enforcement chapter. Under BMC 1.15.100 a code enforcement officer can first seek voluntary correction, orally, in writing or by a written agreement. If that fails, BMC 1.15.120 allows a notice of civil violation, with a default maximum penalty of $125.00 for a first violation and $250.00 for a second or subsequent violation or a continuing violation past the deadline, unless a more specific provision sets a different amount. The recipient has 14 days to pay and correct, enter a voluntary correction agreement, request a mitigation hearing, or contest the notice before the Burien hearing examiner. A mitigation request carries a $100.00 filing fee under BMC 1.15.130, and the city carries the burden of proving a violation by a preponderance of the evidence under BMC 1.15.150.