Clearwater enforces Florida Statute 379.412 and FWC rules under Chapter 68A-4 prohibiting feeding of bears, alligators, sandhill cranes, pelicans, raccoons, and similar wildlife.
Florida Statute 379.412 and FWC rule 68A-4.001 make it unlawful to intentionally place or offer food that attracts bears, foxes, raccoons, sandhill cranes, pelicans, alligators, or crocodiles to Clearwater residential or beach areas. Feeding manatees and dolphins is also banned under separate state and federal law. Clearwater coordinates with FWC officers along Clearwater Beach and Sand Key, where pelican and gull feeding causes habituation, fishing-line injuries, and aggressive behavior. Property owners must also secure trash, pet food, and grills when wildlife is attracted. Repeated violations involving bears or alligators escalate quickly to misdemeanor charges and substantial fines.
First offense $100 noncriminal infraction; second-degree misdemeanor for repeats; bear and alligator feeding escalates to first-degree misdemeanor on third offense.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pinellas County.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle wildlife feeding.
See how Clearwater's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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