Bergen County does not have a countywide wildlife feeding ordinance, but New Jersey prohibits feeding black bears under N.J.S.A. 23:2A-14. Many Bergen County municipalities ban feeding deer, geese, and other wildlife.
New Jersey law makes intentional bear feeding illegal statewide, including throughout Bergen County, with enforcement by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. While Bergen County has no countywide deer or geese feeding ban, towns like Mahwah, Upper Saddle River, and Wyckoff prohibit feeding deer due to overpopulation and Lyme disease concerns. Feeding waterfowl in county parks is generally discouraged or prohibited under park rules to prevent water pollution and aggressive bird behavior. Feeding feral cats may also trigger nuisance ordinances in some towns. Songbird feeders are typically allowed but must not attract bears or rodents.
Bear feeding fines start at $1,000 per offense statewide. Municipal wildlife-feeding violations typically $100 to $500.
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack City Code Chapter 112 (Noise), adopted by Ordinance No. 07-2018 on April 10, 2018, restricts construction noise audible off-property to 7:00 AM-6:...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack requires all swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Requirements follow the New J...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack regulates retaining walls through building and zoning codes. Walls over 4 feet typically require engineered design and a building permit. Walls mu...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack permits common fence materials including wood, vinyl, ornamental metal, and chain link. Barbed wire and electrified fences are prohibited in resid...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack fences must be installed on the owner's property, not on the property line, unless neighbors have a written shared agreement. The finished side ty...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack requires a zoning permit and building permit for most new fences and replacements. Applications go through the Building Department, including a su...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bergen County.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle wildlife feeding.
See how Hackensack's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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