Kane County, IL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Feeding cats/wildlife if hazardous
- Exempt
- Feeding birds
- Covers
- Hand-feeding and set-out food
- Citation
- Kane County Ord. § 9.4
- Fine
- $75–$500 per offense
Summary
Kane County makes it unlawful to feed any cat or wildlife (except birds), including hand-feeding or leaving out food, when doing so creates or could create a hazard to public health or safety. Such nuisance feeding is a public nuisance.
The feeding of any cat, or other wildlife except birds, including hand feeding or the placing or setting out of food to be left attended or unattended, which creates or has the potential to create a hazard to public health or safety is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and to be unlawful.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Animal Control Ordinance § 9.4 ("Nuisance Feeding Prohibited") declares it unlawful to feed any cat or other wildlife, except birds, by hand-feeding or by placing or setting out food (attended or unattended), where that creates or has the potential to create a hazard to public health or safety. Bird feeding is exempt. The rule targets feeding that draws raccoons, coyotes, feral cats, or other animals into conflict with people. Feeding on your own land can still be a violation if it produces a public-health or safety hazard. Related rules bar disturbing nests of federally or state-protected birds and animals (§ 36).
Violations & Fines
Public nuisance / ordinance violation; fine not less than $75 nor more than $500 (§ 49), each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use a bird feeder?
Is feeding raccoons or coyotes illegal here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kane County
Compare Kane County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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