Coconut Creek, FL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Section 5-8 of the Coconut Creek Code applies to wild animals and waterfowl within the city limits of Broward County, Florida. Under (a)(1), no person can keep or feed any wild animal or waterfowl without first obtaining a permit consistent with F.S. § 379.3762 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or its successor agency, and actions inside the section that need no state permit are prohibited outright. Under (a)(2), releasing any wild animal or waterfowl on city-owned or leased property is a violation.

Section 5-2 defines feed broadly: placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering grain, bread, salt, food, garbage, food scraps, fruits, nuts, honey, vegetables or any other food or nutritive substance so as to lure or entice an animal, outdoors or inside any structure where an animal can reach it. Wild animal covers any non-domesticated animal, including raccoons, feral cats, skunks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, panthers, poisonous snakes and any bird, fish, mammal or reptile so classified by the state. Waterfowl includes swans, geese, ducks, anhinga and cormorants.

Subsection (e) declares a public nuisance per se any action that proximately causes five (5) or more wild animals to gather on one parcel at one time when the gathering has caused or is about to cause property damage, poses an immediate threat to public safety, or annoys the owner of a building or structure within, under or upon it. Each day of such conduct is a separate violation.

The city investigates duly reported incidents under (b); the code enforcement officer or animal services officer can interview the reporter and request sworn affidavits. Under (c), an on-duty city employee who sees someone feeding or releasing wildlife on city property can give a verbal warning to stop and leave. Staying, even after stopping, exposes the person to arrest for trespass under F.S. § 810.09. Private owners, their agents or community associations can give the Coconut Creek Police Department written authorization to issue the same warning, and the warned person cannot return for at least forty-eight (48) hours. The city keeps a list of people so warned.