Florida law prohibits intentionally feeding or leaving food that attracts bears, alligators, foxes, raccoons, and sandhill cranes. FWC rule FAC 68A-4.001 and FS 379.412 make it a violation; the county defers to state wildlife rules.
Manatee County's animal ordinance does not set a separate feeding rule, but state law applies countywide. Under FS 379.412 and FWC rule FAC 68A-4.001, it is unlawful to intentionally feed or bait, or to place food or garbage that attracts, certain wildlife including bears, alligators, foxes, raccoons, and sandhill cranes, when it creates a public safety concern. Feeding alligators is separately prohibited under FS 372/379. As a coastal county, Manatee also has sea-turtle protections: beachfront lighting and disturbance rules protect nesting turtles under state and local coastal ordinances. Residents should secure garbage, avoid feeding wildlife, and report nuisance animals to FWC rather than feeding or relocating them.
Intentional or negligent feeding of listed wildlife is a state wildlife violation under FS 379.412 / FAC 68A-4.001, enforced by FWC with fines; alligator feeding is a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Manatee County, FL
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Manatee County, FL
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Manatee County, FL
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Manatee County, FL
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Manatee County, FL
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Manatee County, FL
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