Hamilton, NJ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- Hamilton Code § 317-11
- Where it applies
- Township-owned/operated property only
- Exempt
- Zoos, rehab centers, education centers
- Classification
- Declared a public nuisance
- Max penalty
- $2,000 fine or 90 days
Summary
Hamilton Township bans feeding wildlife on any property it owns or operates, including its parks. Township Code § 317-11 makes feeding deer, geese, ducks, or other wild animals on public land a declared nuisance, though it exempts confined wildlife at zoos, rehabilitation centers, and environmental education programs.
§ 317-11. Feeding wildlife on publicly owned property. It shall be unlawful for any person to feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers). The feeding of wildlife on property owned by the Township shall be declared a nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4984352; v35 updated 2026-06-16; through 06-16-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 317-11 sits within Chapter 317's prohibited-nuisances article and reaches only Township-owned or Township-operated property, such as municipal parks, rather than private yards. ' The chapter's WILDLIFE definition, set out in § 317-2, covers 'all animals that are neither human nor domesticated,' so the ban reaches deer, geese, ducks, foxes, and similar free-roaming species drawn to parks and playgrounds by handouts, not pets or livestock. Because a violation is classified as a nuisance rather than a straight fine-only offense, the Township can use the same enforcement tools it applies to overgrowth, standing water, and abandoned-vehicle nuisances elsewhere in Chapter 317: inspection by the Division of Health, Police, or another enforcing official under § 317-18, a written notice to stop the feeding under § 317-19, and cost recovery under § 317-20 if the Township itself has to intervene, in addition to the criminal penalty under Chapter 1.
The restriction is legally distinct from Chapter 340's separate list of park misconduct, since § 317-11 is the section that specifically targets feeding, while Chapter 340 addresses harming or hunting park wildlife.
Violations & Fines
A feeding complaint on Township property is investigated by the Division of Health, Police, or a park attendant under § 317-18 and § 340-5. Once the Township confirms a violation, it can issue a written abatement notice under § 317-19 and, for continued noncompliance, recover its costs under § 317-20. Underlying convictions fall under the Chapter 1 general penalty: up to a $2,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or up to 90 days of community service, with repeat offenders subject to an enhanced fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed ducks or geese at a Hamilton Township park?
Does the wildlife-feeding ban apply to my own yard?
Are zoos or wildlife rehab centers exempt from this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hamilton
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