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Livonia, MI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Public land only: parks, parkways, city ROW
Banned acts
Feed, frighten, capture, hunt, injure, trap
Also banned
Taking eggs, nests, or young of protected animals
Enforced by
Parks & Rec, Inspection Bureau, Police (§12.20.150)
Default penalty
Up to $500 fine / 90 days (§1.12.010)

Summary

Livonia's public land ordinance bars feeding, frightening, capturing, hunting, injuring, or trapping any wild or domestic animal, reptile, bird, or fish on city-owned land, and also bars taking eggs, nests, or young. The ban covers parks, parkways, and public rights-of-way, and is enforced by parks and recreation, the inspection bureau, and police.

No person shall on any public land feed, frighten, capture, attempt to capture, hunt, injure, trap or administer or set out any trap or harmful substance for any wild or domestic animal, reptile, bird or fish; nor remove or have in his/her possession the young, eggs or nest of same.

Source: Michigan DNR Deer Feeding BanView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning: Supplement 3).

Full Breakdown

20, titled the public land ordinance, is designed to protect, preserve, and beautify the parks and public lands throughout the city. 050 defines the land it covers: parks, parkways, and any other municipally owned property in the city, including public rights-of-way devoted to planting, forest, or park-like use. 100, titled 'Protection of wild animals,' prohibits feeding, frightening, capturing or attempting to capture, hunting, injuring, or trapping any wild or domestic animal, reptile, bird, or fish, and separately bars administering or setting out any trap or harmful substance for them, or removing or possessing their young, eggs, or nest.

080's ban on erecting structures such as fences, dog runs, tents, or windbreaks on public land without council permission. 050 is limited to city-owned property, the feeding ban does not reach a resident's own yard or other private property; it applies to city parks, parkways, and public rights-of-way. 150 assigns enforcement of the entire chapter, including the wildlife protection section, to the department of parks and recreation, the bureau of inspection, and the police department.

Violations & Fines

Chapter 12.20 does not set its own fine for violating Section 12.20.100; violations fall under the citywide default misdemeanor penalty in Section 1.12.010, punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both, with the police department, parks and recreation, and the inspection bureau all authorized to enforce it under Section 12.20.150.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to feed geese or deer in a Livonia park?
Yes. Section 12.20.100 of the public land ordinance prohibits feeding any wild or domestic animal, reptile, bird, or fish on public land, which covers city parks, parkways, and public rights-of-way under the definitions in Section 12.20.050.
Does this ban apply to feeding birds in my own backyard?
No. Chapter 12.20 defines 'public land' as municipally owned property such as parks and parkways; the feeding ban in Section 12.20.100 applies only there, not to private residential property.
Who enforces the wildlife feeding ban in Livonia parks?
Section 12.20.150 designates the department of parks and recreation, the bureau of inspection, and the police department to enforce the entire public land ordinance, including the wild animal protection section.

Sources & Official References

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