Tacoma, WA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Feeding wildlife
- prohibited
- Exception
- Director-authorized only
- Also banned
- molesting/harassing wildlife
- Scope
- Metro Parks Tacoma parks
Summary
Feeding, molesting, or offering tobacco, drink, or other harmful substances to wildlife in a Tacoma park is banned unless the Metro Parks Director authorizes it.
No person shall molest or harass any wildlife or non-domesticated animal in a park. It shall be unlawful for any person to give, offer, or attempt to give to any wildlife or non-domesticated animal within a park any tobacco, drink, or other substance known to be dangerous or noxious to wildlife or non-domesticated animals. It is also unlawful to feed any wildlife or non-domesticated animal in a park, except as authorized by the Director.
Full Breakdown
Tacoma's park code flatly bars feeding any wildlife or non-domesticated animal in a city park, and separately bans molesting or harassing wildlife there. It also specifically outlaws giving wildlife tobacco, drink, or any other substance known to be dangerous or noxious. The only exception is feeding expressly authorized by the Metropolitan Park District Director, such as an organized program; casual feeding of geese, ducks, or other park wildlife by visitors is not permitted.
Violations & Fines
Violating this section is a Class 1 civil infraction under the park code's general penalty provision, TMC § 8.27.250, not including statutory assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed ducks or geese in a Tacoma park?
What's the penalty for feeding wildlife in a Tacoma park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
Compare Tacoma to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle wildlife feeding.