Quincy, MA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered birds
- ducks, geese, swans (Anatidae)
- Fine
- $50 per offense
- Applies where
- posted areas only
- Enforcement
- police, harbor masters, environmental police
- Emergency exception
- Director may authorize feeding
Summary
Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) bans feeding or baiting ducks, geese, swans, and other waterfowl in posted areas citywide, with fines up to $50 per offense under City Code § 113-1.
No person, except the Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or his agents as authorized pursuant to MGL c. 131, shall feed or bait any waterfowl of the family Anatidae, including but not restricted to ducks, geese, and swans, at any place within the City of Quincy, where it is so posted. As used in this section, "feeding" and "baiting," in all their moods and tenses, shall mean the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering, directly or indirectly, of shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, or other grain, bread, salt, or any other feed or nutritive substances, in any manner or form, so as to constitute for such birds a lure, attraction, or enticement to, on, or over any such areas where such feed items have been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4608810; v7 updated 2025-10-06; through 10-06-2025).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 113-1 (Chapter 113, Article I, Feeding of Waterfowl) prohibits any person other than the state Director of Fisheries and Wildlife or an authorized agent from feeding or baiting any waterfowl of the family Anatidae -- ducks, geese, and swans -- anywhere in Quincy where the area is posted against it. 'Feeding' is defined broadly to cover placing, scattering, or distributing corn, wheat, bread, salt, or any other feed that lures the birds. § 113-2 lets the Director authorize emergency feeding during severe weather. § 113-3 sets a $50 fine per offense, enforced by police, shellfish officers, harbor masters, and environmental police under § 113-4.
Violations & Fines
Fines of $50 per offense under § 113-3; enforced by police, shellfish officers, harbor masters, and environmental police per § 113-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed ducks or geese in Quincy?
Who enforces Quincy's waterfowl feeding ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Quincy
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