Clay County, MO Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned
- Feeding, spotlighting, possessing, taking wildlife
- Exception
- Written permission from parks director only
- Also banned
- Destroying a den or nest
- Hunting/fishing
- Must follow MDC seasons, §§(B)-(C)
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine / 1 year jail
Summary
Feeding wildlife anywhere in a Clay County park or recreation area is banned outright under Code of Ordinances § 90.23(I). The same subsection also bars pursuing, catching, killing, molesting, possessing, spotlighting, or taking wildlife in any quantity, or destroying a den or nest, unless the parks director gives express written permission to control animal damage.
(I)No person shall pursue, catch, kill, molest, possess, illuminate, spotlight, feed, or take in any manner or any quantity any wildlife, nor shall any person destroy the den or nest of any wildlife on park land except as otherwise permitted by this chapter, or by the express permission of the director when necessary to control animal damage.
Full Breakdown
23, the wildlife article of the parks and recreation chapter, folds the feeding ban into a broader list of prohibited wildlife interactions. Subsection (I) makes it unlawful to pursue, catch, kill, molest, possess, illuminate, spotlight, feed, or take wildlife in any manner or any quantity on park land, and separately bans destroying a den or nest, unless the activity is otherwise permitted elsewhere in the chapter or the parks director gives express permission to control animal damage. The same section layers in additional restrictions that touch feeding indirectly: subsection (A) bars hunting, harming, or possessing young wildlife except for organized groups holding a special event permit from the director, and subsection (G) prohibits bringing in an animal, including by an animal control officer, for release without the director's written permission.
455. 105 establishes the Wildlife Code as enforceable by county park rangers and any duly constituted peace officer. 23 was last amended by Ord. No. 2024-ORD-21 on August 15, 2024.
Violations & Fines
Feeding, molesting, or otherwise disturbing wildlife in a Clay County park violates § 90.23 and is enforced under § 90.99: a fine up to $1,000, up to a year in county jail, or both, with each day charged as a separate offense. Park rangers and county law enforcement can also evict a violator from the park immediately under § 90.99(B), on top of any court penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed the ducks or deer at a Clay County park?
What other wildlife rules apply at Clay County parks besides feeding?
What happens if I'm caught feeding wildlife in a Clay County park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clay County
Compare Clay County to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
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