Pennsylvania prohibits feeding deer, bears, elk, and other big game statewide under Game Commission regulations. Berks County itself sets no feeding ordinance, but the state ban applies everywhere; municipalities may add rules on feeding waterfowl or strays.
Feeding wildlife in Berks County is governed by state law, not a county ordinance. The Pennsylvania Game Commission prohibits the intentional feeding of deer, elk, and bears, and can order any person to stop feeding wildlife (including birds) when it is attracting bears or creating a public-safety or disease risk. The rule exists to prevent nuisance concentrations and chronic wasting disease. Feeding backyard songbirds is generally allowed unless it draws bears. Municipalities in Berks may separately regulate feeding of feral cats, geese, or waterfowl on public property. Do not put out food for deer or bears anywhere in the county.
Unlawful feeding of big game or failing to comply with a Game Commission stop-feeding order is a summary offense under the Game and Wildlife Code, with fines per violation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard composting is legal and encouraged in Berks County. No county permit is needed for a home compost pile. Nuisance limits (odor, rodents) and setbacks...
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Berks County does not regulate artificial turf. Whether synthetic lawn is allowed, and any stormwater or impervious-surface conditions, are set by your munic...
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Berks County does not regulate native-plant or meadow landscaping. Whether a wildflower meadow is allowed — versus a tall-grass violation — depends on your m...
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Rain barrels and cisterns are legal in Berks County — Pennsylvania places no restriction on collecting rainwater. The county encourages it as a stormwater be...
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Berks County sets no routine watering schedule. Statewide, when the Governor declares a drought emergency, 4 Pa. Code §119.4 bans nonessential outdoor water ...
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Berks County has no countywide weed ordinance. Noxious-weed and tall-vegetation rules are municipal — in Reading, weeds (with grass) must stay under 6 inches...
See how Berks County's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
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