Everett, WA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine cap
- $250 per infraction
- Enforced by
- Everett park rangers (EMC 9.06.034)
- Covers
- Fowl, farm animals, wildlife
- Exception
- Parks director's designated feeding areas
- Applies to
- All Everett city parks, Snohomish County
Summary
Everett's park code makes it unlawful to feed fowl, farm animals, or wildlife anywhere in a city park except at spots the parks and recreation director designates for that purpose. Snohomish County's county seat treats the violation as a civil infraction carrying up to a $250 fine, enforced by park rangers who patrol every city park.
It is unlawful in any manner to feed any fowl, farm animals or wildlife, except at areas designated by the parks and recreation director for such purposes. Violation of any of the provisions of this section constitutes an infraction, and may be punished by a penalty of not more than two hundred fifty dollars.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4194-26, passed July 29, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020(D), which reaches city parks, public squares, park drives, the Wetmore Theatre Plaza, parkways, boulevards, golf courses, park museums, zoos, bathing beaches and play and recreation grounds, so feeding ducks or scattering bread for geese falls inside the prohibition unless the parks and recreation director has posted a designated feeding area. 080 itself. 034 carry the authority of peace officers to issue that citation on the spot when they witness the violation. 085(A)(2) separately classifies feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing nesting or breeding wildlife as "molesting wildlife in a city park," also an infraction punishable up to $250. 030) and applies it only within Everett city limits in Snohomish County, not to Snohomish County parks outside the city or to private property.
Violations & Fines
Feeding fowl, farm animals or wildlife outside a posted feeding area is a civil infraction, not a crime, but it still carries a fine up to $250 under EMC 9.06.080. A park ranger who witnesses the act may issue the citation directly; there is no warning requirement. Feeding animals that are nesting or breeding adds a separate $250 infraction under EMC 9.06.085 for molesting wildlife. Repeated violations of park rules can also trigger a park exclusion notice under EMC 9.06.235, barring the person from Everett parks for sixty to one hundred eighty days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed ducks at an Everett park?
Who enforces the feeding ban?
Is feeding wildlife a criminal charge in Everett?
Does this rule apply outside Everett's city limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle wildlife feeding.