Deerfield Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

City Code Sec. 10-13 makes it unlawful to feed or leave foodstuffs for wild birds anywhere east of A1A (north of Northeast Second Street) and east of 21st Avenue (south of Northeast Second Street), which covers the public beach corridor. The section carves out an exception for a bird feeder permanently installed on private property by the owner or with the owner's permission, so backyard feeders away from the beach strip remain legal. Sec. 10-14 separately bans feeding marine wildlife, such as fish, turtles or dolphins, within 1,500 feet of the mean high water line adjacent to the public beach, and extends that ban to boat owners and operators who permit passengers to feed marine wildlife in that zone.

It exempts the lawful use of bait or chum during permitted fishing or harvesting activity under state and federal rules. Both sections were adopted in the early 2000s (Ord. No. 2000/042 and Ord. No. 2000/043) and readopted with the 2011 animal-code overhaul (Ord. No. 2011/009). Enforcement for both sits under Chapter 10's general enforcement clause, Sec. 10-18, which applies Sec. 1-15's citywide penalty scheme rather than a standalone fine schedule specific to wildlife feeding.