Polk County follows state law: intentionally feeding bears, alligators, and certain other wildlife is prohibited by Florida's FWC. Penalties under FS 379.412 start at a $100 civil fine and escalate to misdemeanors and felonies for repeat bear or alligator feeding.
Wildlife feeding in Polk County is governed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rather than a county ordinance. FWC rule 68A-4.001 prohibits intentionally feeding black bears, and FWC rules also bar feeding foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and alligators and crocodiles - including leaving food or garbage that attracts them after written notice. FS 379.412 sets escalating penalties. Placing food that attracts nuisance wildlife is discouraged countywide because Polk has both bear and alligator habitat. Ordinary bird feeders and feeding your own pets are not covered, but feeding that draws dangerous wildlife or creates a neighborhood nuisance can be enforced.
Under FS 379.412 a first offense is a noncriminal $100 civil penalty; a second bear/alligator-related offense is a 2nd-degree misdemeanor, a third a 1st-degree misdemeanor, and a fourth a 3rd-degree felony.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Polk County, FL
Polk County does not prohibit backyard composting; UF/IFAS Polk Extension actively promotes home composting. Compost piles must not become a nuisance overgro...
Polk County, FL
Polk County's Land Development Code does not prohibit artificial turf on residential property, but its landscaping standards for new development favor living...
Polk County, FL
Polk County's Land Development Code requires new non-residential and multifamily development to use water-efficient, Florida-friendly landscaping, with nativ...
Polk County, FL
Neither Polk County nor Florida restricts residential rainwater harvesting; rain barrels and cisterns are legal and encouraged for conservation. SWFWMD and U...
Polk County, FL
Most of Polk County is in the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), which sets year-round twice-weekly limits: even addresses Thursday/Sunday...
Polk County, FL
Polk County's Property Maintenance Ordinance (08-047) prohibits weeds over 18 inches on lots two acres or less next to residential or commercial parcels. Cod...
See how Polk County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.