Burlington discourages feeding of wildlife and stray animals because it creates rodent, bear, and public-health problems. Vermont law also prohibits intentionally feeding black bears under 10 V.S.A. wildlife rules.
Burlington sits in bear country along the Lake Champlain corridor and has documented problems with bears, raccoons, skunks, and rats accessing residential yards. Chapter 21 of the city code addresses sanitation and nuisance conditions, and Code Compliance treats persistent feeding stations that attract wildlife as a public-health nuisance. Vermont 10 V.S.A. and Fish and Wildlife rules separately make it illegal to intentionally feed black bears or place food, garbage, or birdseed where it is reasonably likely to attract them. Bird feeders are typically required to come down from April through November to reduce bear conflicts.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife citations for bear feeding; Burlington Code Compliance nuisance abatement orders and per-day civil penalties.
Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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See how Burlington's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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