Minnetonka, MN Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Section 1135.020 of the Minnetonka City Code lists the general rules that apply in and on all park facilities, and subdivision 2 is the feeding rule: wild animals including birds may not be fed, except pursuant to a city sponsored program. Ducks, geese, songbirds and deer are all caught by the phrase wild animals including birds, so tossing bread at a pond or leaving out corn is covered.

The reach is set by the park definitions. Section 1135.005 says the rules apply in all areas owned or operated by the city as park facilities, and section 1135.010 defines a park or park facility as any area owned or operated by the city as a public park, beach, recreational trail, athletic field, skating rink, or other outdoor recreational facility, including parking lots located adjacent to or within public parks. The rule is written for those city-run areas, so it is a park rule rather than a rule for private yards.

The code separates wild animals from domestic ones. Section 1135.010 defines a domestic animal as any animal that would be allowed by the code to reside in a residential dwelling of the city. Domestic animals are not allowed on athletic fields, fenced courts, beaches or swimming areas, must be on a leash no longer than six feet or in a secure container, and dogs can be off-leash only in designated off-leash areas, limited to two dogs per person.

Two neighboring rules in section 1135.020 reinforce the feeding ban. Subdivision 3 bars killing, trapping, pursuing, catching or removing wild animals except when necessary to protect the immediate safety of a person or domestic animal. Subdivision 6 bars depositing or discarding bottles, glass, cans, paper, ashes, garbage, trash, rubbish, litter or any other substance that would create a stench or a nuisance or likely injure any person, property, or animal. Park hours under section 1135.015 run from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.