Feeding wild alligators is a misdemeanor under Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:116.1, punishable by fines because fed alligators lose their fear of humans and become dangerous. New Orleans residents near City Park lagoons, Bayou St. John, and the levee canals must not feed alligators, ducks, nutria, or other wildlife. Feeding raccoons and feral cats also violates city nuisance rules.
Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:116.1 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally feed wild alligators, with fines that can reach 750 dollars per violation. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforces this rule because alligators that learn to associate humans with food become aggressive and must usually be euthanized. Alligators are common in New Orleans waterways including City Park lagoons, Bayou St. John, the Industrial Canal, the 17th Street Canal, and any drainage canal connected to Lake Pontchartrain, especially in warm months. New Orleans Audubon Park has signage prohibiting feeding of alligators, ducks, geese, and turtles because feeding promotes overpopulation, water pollution, and aggressive behavior. Feeding feral cats and raccoons is discouraged under City Code Chapter 18 nuisance provisions because it attracts rats, encourages disease transmission (rabies, leptospirosis), and creates property damage. Trap-neuter-return programs for feral cats are managed by approved organizations and are not the same as casual feeding. Residents who see an alligator more than 4 feet long in a populated area should call the LDWF nuisance alligator hotline; smaller alligators in canals are normal and should be left alone. Intentional harassment, capture, or killing of alligators is also illegal without a license.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact New Orleans code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
New Orleans, LA
City Code Ch. 66, Art. IV defines nighttime quiet hours as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekends. In residential receiv...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no general city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. However, the Vieux Carré Commission and His...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to r...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no city ordinance specifying installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday light displays. However, pro...
New Orleans, LA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in New Orleans require building, gas, electrical, and plumbing permits through the Department of Safety and Permits via the One Sto...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Operation is governed by general ...
See how New Orleans'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.