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Gainesville, FL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

In city parks
Feeding any animal prohibited
Exception
City manager authorization
Outside parks
No city feeding ban found
County law
Alachua County animal ordinance supplements
Penalty
Up to $500.00 or 60 days

Summary

Gainesville's only animal-feeding rule sits in the parks chapter: you may not feed any animal in a city park without authorization from the city manager or designee. Outside parks the code sets no feeding ban.

379.412 Penalties for feeding wildlife and freshwater fish. — (1)(a) The penalties in this section apply to a violation of any rule or order of the commission that prohibits or restricts: 1. Feeding wildlife or freshwater fish with food or garbage; 2. Attracting or enticing wildlife or freshwater fish with food or garbage; or 3. Allowing the placement of food or garbage in a manner that attracts or entices wildlife or freshwater fish.

Source: City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances (Municode)View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 18-20 makes it unlawful to feed any animal in a park listed in section 18-18, or in any other area the city commission has designated and posted as a park, unless the city manager or designee has authorized it. The prohibition is flat. There is no species list, no separate rule for deer, ducks, alligators or stray cats, and no bird-feeder provision. Away from parks the city's animal chapter deals with nuisance behaviour by owned animals rather than the feeding of wild ones, and section 5-6 makes the city's provisions supplemental to the Alachua County Code of Ordinances on Animal Control, with the city's provisions controlling in a direct conflict.

Violations & Fines

Park violations carry the general penalty in section 1-9: a fine not exceeding $500.00 or up to 60 days, with each day the violation continues a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed birds in my yard?
The city's feeding prohibition applies in parks, not private yards, and the code contains no bird-feeder rule. Nothing in the Gainesville code bars feeding birds at home.
Is it illegal to feed stray cats?
In a city park, yes: section 18-20 bars feeding any animal without the city manager's authorization. Elsewhere the code sets no feeding prohibition, and Alachua County's animal ordinance also applies.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Gainesville

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All Gainesville rules

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