Racine County, WI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Racine County Code Sec. 16-5
- Definition of feed
- Offering, throwing, spreading, leaving food
- Parks equivalent
- Sec. 14-80 (with official exception)
- Scope
- All county-owned property
Summary
Racine County Code Sec. 16-5 prohibits feeding any wild animal or fowl on county-owned property, defining feed broadly to include offering, throwing, spreading or leaving food.
No person shall feed any wild animal or fowl in any county owned property. Feed means the offering, throwing, spreading and/or leaving of any food item that is commonly eaten by animals and fowl.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 16-5 makes it unlawful to feed wild animals or fowl anywhere on property owned by the county -- courthouse grounds, service centers, and every other county-owned parcel. The ordinance defines feed broadly enough to catch not just direct hand-feeding but throwing, spreading or leaving food where wildlife will find it. A near-identical ban, Sec. 14-80, covers county parks and recreation areas specifically and carves out an exception for county, state or federal wildlife officials who give 24 hours' notice.
Violations & Fines
Enforced under the county's general citation and forfeiture provisions in Chapter 5; the section itself does not set a separate fine amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover feeding geese or deer in a Racine County park?
Can I feed stray cats on county property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
Compare Racine County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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