Passaic, NJ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of the City of Passaic § 117-29
- Adopted
- 2-12-2008 by Ord. No. 1749-08
- Where it applies
- City parks and other city-owned property only
- Exemption
- Confined wildlife in zoos or rehab centers
- Enforcers
- Police, Health Department, Public Works
Summary
Passaic prohibits feeding unconfined wildlife in any city park or on any other city-owned or -operated property. Code of the City of Passaic § 117-29, adopted under Chapter 117, Article IV, bars giving, placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering food to attract wildlife, with exceptions only for confined animals such as those in zoos or rehabilitation centers.
No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Passaic, any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978046; v41 updated 2026-07-01; through 07-01-2026).
Full Breakdown
Article IV of Chapter 117, adopted by Ordinance No. 1749-08 in 2008, exists "to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Passaic so as to protect the public health, safety and welfare," per § 117-27's purpose clause. Section 117-28 defines "feed" broadly as any act "to give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife," explicitly excluding legal baiting for fishing or hunting.
"Wildlife" covers all animals that are neither human nor domesticated: geese, deer, raccoons and similar species on city land all fall under the ban. " The article applies only to City-owned or -operated property, not private yards. Enforcement falls to three departments under § 117-30: the Police Department, the Health Department and the Department of Public Works, giving the City several avenues to cite violators encountered feeding geese or other wildlife in a public park. Note: this article is distinct from Chapter 217's live-poultry-market licensing scheme and does not touch backyard keeping of domesticated animals.
Violations & Fines
Feeding unconfined wildlife on city park land or other city property violates § 117-29 and is enforceable by Passaic Police, the Health Department or the Department of Public Works under § 117-30. Section 117-31 ties penalties to the Code's general penalty provision, § 1-3, which allows a fine up to $2,000, up to 90 days' imprisonment, or up to 90 days' community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed geese or ducks at a Passaic park?
Does the wildlife-feeding ban apply to my own backyard?
Who enforces Passaic's wildlife-feeding rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Passaic
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle wildlife feeding.