Clarkstown, NY Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Article III of Chapter 125, adopted in 1995, states the Town Board's intent to prohibit the feeding of waterfowl on Town land to promote health, safety, appearance and welfare. Section 125-15 defines "town lands" as any real property owned by the Town of Clarkstown and defines "waterfowl" specifically as game birds commonly known as geese, brant, swans, and river and sea ducks, also classified as Anatidae. Section 125-16 then states the operative prohibition: no person shall feed any waterfowl on any Town lands, except in areas designated for feeding by the Town of Clarkstown Parks Board and Recreation Commission from time to time.

Because the ban is tied to land ownership rather than to who is doing the feeding, it reaches any person, resident or visitor, feeding waterfowl anywhere the Town owns property, including parks and lakefronts, unless that specific spot has been designated for feeding. The article is enforced by the Animal Control Officers, members of the Clarkstown Police Department, and Code Enforcement Officials under § 125-17. A violation is a violation-level offense under § 125-18, carrying a fine of up to $1,000, a penalty amount the Town Board raised in 2013 by local law. The Town Board separately made a SEQRA finding under § 125-19 that adopting this article would not have a significant environmental impact.