Plainfield, NJ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Article 6 of Chapter 12 of the Plainfield Municipal Code, adopted as MC 2007-09 on August 22, 2007, bans the feeding of unconfined wildlife on City land in the City of Plainfield, Union County. Its stated purpose is to prohibit feeding in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Plainfield, so as to protect public health, safety and welfare.

The ordinance defines its terms tightly. To "feed" means to give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife. "Wildlife" means all animals that are neither human nor domesticated, so the ban is not limited to deer or geese and reaches every wild animal. "Person" covers individuals, corporations, companies, partnerships, firms, associations and political subdivisions of the State subject to municipal jurisdiction. Baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game is carved out of the definition of feeding.

Section 12:6-3 sets the prohibition. It applies in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Plainfield. It excludes confined wildlife, such as wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, and it excludes unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers.

Enforcement belongs to the Health Division of the City of Plainfield under § 12:6-4. A person found in violation is ordered to cease the feeding immediately, so the first response is a stop order. Section 12:6-5 then sets the money penalty: a fine not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each offense.

The article as printed reaches City-owned and City-operated property only. It does not address feeding on private lots, and it contains no coyote or deer program, cull or hazing policy.