Portland, OR Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Portland City Code § 20.12.140(C)(3)
- Scope
- Portland city parks only
- Penalty
- Civil penalty up to $150
- Enforced by
- Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland Police
- Covers
- Wild animals and aquatic life
Summary
Portland City Code bars anyone from feeding or offering food to wild animals or aquatic life inside a city park, a parks-conduct rule enforced by Portland Parks & Recreation and Portland Police.
A person must not feed or offer food items to any wild animal or aquatic life in a park.
4. A person in control or possession of an animal must not allow that animal to enter or remain upon any of the following in a park:
a. Any lake, water feature, splash pad, fountain, pond, or stream;
b. Any tennis court, basketball court, running track, or other artificial sports surface or sports field;
c. Any sports facility enclosed by a fence or wall;
d. Any area where animals are prohibited.
D. Exemptions.
1. The prohibitions of this Section do not apply to service animals while performing their qualifying services, nor to animals during official performance of police or rescue activities.
E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, any person violating Subsections 20.12.120 A., B., or C. is subject only to a civil penalty not to exceed $150 for each violation. Any person assessed a civil penalty under this Subsection may appeal the citation to the Code Hearings Officer in accordance with the provisions of Title 22 of this Code.
Full Breakdown
Portland City Code § 20.12.140(C)(3) makes it unlawful to feed or offer food items to any wild animal or aquatic life in a city park: reaching geese, ducks, squirrels, coyotes, and any other wildlife on Portland Parks & Recreation land. The ban sits inside Chapter 20.12, Prohibited Conduct, within the parks title, so it governs park property specifically rather than private yards or public streets citywide. Service animals performing qualifying duties and animals on official police or rescue work are exempted from the chapter's animal provisions, but that carve-out addresses leashing and park access, not this feeding prohibition.
Violations & Fines
Portland Parks & Recreation rangers and Portland Police enforce the section. Under Subsection E, violations of the chapter's animal provisions carry a civil penalty of up to $150 per violation, appealable to the Code Hearings Officer under Title 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed ducks or geese at a Portland park?
Does this ban apply outside parks, like at home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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