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Suffolk County, NY Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
Suffolk County Code § 299-78
Adopted
L.L. No. 38-2020, Sept. 9, 2020
Enforced by
Dept. of Health Services
Fine range
$50-$500 per offense
Backyard songbirds
Still allowed

Summary

Suffolk County makes it illegal to feed deer, coyotes, geese, and other wild animals countywide, plus bars leaving out food or garbage that attracts them.

City-specific rules exist: Babylon, and Huntington have their own wildlife feeding rules that differ from Suffolk County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

No person shall purposely or knowingly feed, bait, or in any manner provide access to food to any wild animal in Suffolk County, except as provided for in § 299-80 of this article.

B. No person shall purposely or knowingly leave or store any refuse, garbage, food product, pet food, forage product or supplement, salt, seed or birdseed, fruit, or grain in a manner that would attract wild animals in Suffolk County.

C. After an initial contact or conflict with a wild animal, no person shall continue to provide, or otherwise fail to secure or remove, any likely food source or attractants to wild animals.

Source: Suffolk County Code Ch 355View official code

Full Breakdown

Under Suffolk County Code § 299-78, no person may purposely or knowingly feed, bait, or provide food access to any wild animal, deer, coyotes, foxes, groundhogs, raccoons, skunks, and nuisance birds like Canada geese and gulls, anywhere in the county. Leaving out refuse, pet food, birdseed, salt, or forage that attracts wildlife is also prohibited. Feeding backyard songbirds and hummingbirds remains legal under § 299-80 if it doesn't cause an unreasonable disturbance or excess droppings. The Department of Health Services enforces the law on a complaint basis.

Violations & Fines

Fines of $50 to $500 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense; violators get notice and a hearing before any fine is imposed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still feed the birds in my backyard in Suffolk County?
Yes: feeding songbirds and hummingbirds is allowed under § 299-80, as long as it doesn't create an unreasonable disturbance like excess droppings or rodents.
Does the Suffolk County wildlife-feeding ban cover deer and geese?
Yes. Deer, coyotes, and nuisance birds such as Canada geese and gulls are explicitly named as protected wild animals under § 299-77 that residents may not feed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Suffolk County

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsBeekeepingSome RestrictionsCoyote ManagementSignificant RestrictionsBird ProtectionSignificant RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSignificant RestrictionsPet Store RulesSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesFew RestrictionsSingle-Use Items: Plastic CupsSignificant RestrictionsPublic Health Rules: Calorie LabelingSome Restrictions

All Suffolk County rules

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Wildlife Feeding in Cities Across Suffolk County

Babylon, NYHuntington, NYIslip, NY