Cranston, RI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Outdoor feeders
- Must prevent food scattering
- Bird feeder limit
- One per property, temporarily
- Wild bird feeders
- 48 inches minimum elevation
- Fine
- $50.00 minimum per extra feeder
Summary
Cranston bars leaving food loose in the open for birds or animals, caps residents at one outdoor bird feeder until the city's rodent problem clears, and fines extra feeders $50 per instance.
No person shall place food in the open for the feeding of any domesticated fowl, birds or animals except in such containers as will prevent the scattering of such food upon the ground. After such feeding, such food shall not be allowed remain where it is accessible to rodents. No person shall place more than one bird feeder per property until the rodent infestation in Cranston is eliminated. Persons placing more than one bird feeder per property shall be considered to be creating a nuisance and shall be fined accordingly in an amount no less than fifty dollars ($50.00) per instance. (Prior code § 25-8; Ord. 2013-25, § 1, 7/22/2013) § 8.36.090. Feeding wild birds. No person shall feed wild birds other than in suitable containers for the food, elevated at least forty-eight (48) inches above the ground level. (Prior code § 25-9)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 8.36 (rodent control), Cranston requires any food set out for domesticated fowl, birds, or animals to sit in containers that stop it from scattering on the ground, and bars leftover food from staying accessible to rodents. The code currently limits residents to one bird feeder per property until the city's rodent infestation is eliminated; a second feeder counts as a nuisance and draws a fine. Separately, wild-bird feeders must be elevated at least 48 inches off the ground.
Violations & Fines
Placing more than one bird feeder per property draws a fine of no less than $50.00 per instance under § 8.36.080; feeding that leaves food accessible to rodents or fails the container and elevation rules is enforced under the same rodent-control chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put out more than one bird feeder in Cranston?
How high must a wild bird feeder be in Cranston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle wildlife feeding.