Sanford, FL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- No-feeding zone
- Marina Isle & Veteran's Memorial Park + 100 ft
- Also banned
- Causing bird/waterfowl congregation, droppings
- Legal feeding zone
- Lake Carola, Fort Mellon Park
- Enforcing agency
- Sanford Police Department
- Penalty
- Up to $50 fine or 5 days jail
Summary
Sanford City Code Sec. 62-92 bans feeding any bird, duck, gull or pigeon, or creating conditions that cause birds to congregate, within a 100-foot perimeter of Marina Isle and Veteran's Memorial Park on Lake Monroe. The city instead designated an alternate lawful feeding zone at Lake Carola in Fort Mellon Park under Sec. 62-93.
(a)Area mapping. ... There is hereby established a perimeter area of 100 feet from the shores of Marina Isle and Veteran's Memorial Park and the entire Marina Isle and Veteran's Memorial Park compound as no feeding zones as depicted on the map on file in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Sanford, (see Exhibit "A"); that said map is incorporated herein and made a part of this article by this reference. ... Feeding shall mean the act of feeding or the furnishing of food or other substances to any form of bird, duck, waterfowl, gull or pigeon. ... (c)Violation. It shall be unlawful for any person to:(1)Feed any bird, duck, gull, or pigeon within the area described in Exhibit A attached hereto.
Full Breakdown
Sanford created its 'No Feeding Zone' by standalone ordinance in 2008, codified at Secs. 62-91 through 62-95, covering the entire Marina Isle and Veteran's Memorial Park compound plus a 100-foot perimeter from their shores. Section 62-92(c) makes it unlawful to 'feed any bird, duck, gull, or pigeon' within that mapped area, and separately unlawful to create any condition that causes birds, ducks, gulls or pigeons to congregate there in a way that results in an accumulation of droppings, damages flora, fauna or public property, or threatens public health, safety or welfare.
The ordinance defines 'feeding' broadly as 'the act of feeding or the furnishing of food or other substances' to any bird, duck, waterfowl, gull or pigeon, so scattering bread or feed counts even without direct contact with the animals. First-time enforcement is lenient: Sec. 62-92(d) required a courtesy notice for the first three months after the ordinance's effective date, with citations issued only after that grace period, though that window has long since passed for this 2008 rule. The city designated a lawful alternative under Sec.
62-93, at the pond east of the Civic Center and north of the Museum at Lake Carola within Fort Mellon Park, marked with signage. The Sanford Police Department enforces the zone under Sec. 62-94, and Sec. 62-95 sets the penalty at a fine of up to $50.00, imprisonment for up to five days, or both.
Violations & Fines
Feeding a bird, duck, gull or pigeon, or creating conditions that cause them to congregate and produce droppings, property damage or a public-health nuisance within 100 feet of Marina Isle or Veteran's Memorial Park violates Sec. 62-92(c). The Sanford Police Department enforces the ban under Sec. 62-94, and Sec. 62-95 sets a penalty of a fine of up to $50.00, imprisonment for up to five days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I legally feed ducks or birds in Sanford?
What counts as illegal 'feeding' under Sanford's no-feeding zone?
What is the penalty for feeding birds at Marina Isle Park in Sanford?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sanford
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sanford to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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