Feeding alligators, bears, sandhill cranes, foxes, raccoons, and pelicans is prohibited under Florida law. Pinellas County Code further bans food placements that attract nuisance wildlife to Safety Harbor properties.
Florida Administrative Code 68A-4.001 and 68A-25.001 prohibit intentional feeding of bears, alligators, crocodiles, sandhill cranes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, and other listed species because it conditions wildlife to humans and creates safety hazards. Pinellas County Code Section 14-30 prohibits placing food or garbage in a manner that attracts wildlife and creates a public nuisance. Safety Harbor residents may use bird feeders responsibly, but cannot leave pet food, scraps, or unsecured trash that draws raccoons, coyotes, or other species. Repeat nuisance feeding can lead to Animal Services citations and FWC misdemeanor charges with fines up to five hundred dollars.
FWC charges feeding of listed species as a Level Two violation, second-degree misdemeanor. Local nuisance citations carry escalating fines and abatement orders.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle wildlife feeding.
See how Safety Harbor's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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