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Lakewood, NJ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Ban covers
Public parks, Township property
Adopted by
Ordinance No. 2005-78
Fine
Up to $500 per violation
Continuing violation
Separate offense each day
Enforcing agency
Police Department

Summary

Lakewood Township bans feeding unconfined wildlife in any public park or on Township-owned property. Code § 8-12.3, adopted by Ordinance No. 2005-78, is enforced by the Police Department, requires violators to stop immediately, and carries a fine up to $500 for each day the feeding continues.

No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township of Lakewood, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers.)

View official code

Full Breakdown

4. 6 sets the penalty: a fine 'not to exceed $500 for each and every violation,' and if the violation is continuing, 'each and every day during which it continues constitutes a separate and distinct offense,' so a person who keeps feeding geese or deer daily can accumulate a new $500 exposure every day the conduct persists.

Violations & Fines

Feeding unconfined wildlife in a Lakewood park or on Township property draws an immediate cease order from the Police Department and a fine up to $500 under § 8-12.6. Because each day of continuing feeding is a separate offense, repeated conduct can produce a new $500 exposure daily until it stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed geese or deer in a Lakewood Township park?
No. Code § 8-12.3 bans feeding any unconfined wildlife in a public park or on other Township-owned property, defining 'feed' to include giving, placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering edible material meant to attract wildlife.
Are there exceptions to Lakewood's wildlife feeding ban?
Yes. Section 8-12.3 excludes confined wildlife, such as animals in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, and unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers, and § 8-12.2 excludes legal baiting used in fishing or hunting.
What happens if I keep feeding wildlife after being warned in Lakewood?
Section 8-12.5 lets the Police Department order the feeding stopped immediately, and § 8-12.6 fines violators up to $500 per violation, treating each day the feeding continues as its own separate offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lakewood

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsPet Store RulesSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All Lakewood rules

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