Wauwatosa, WI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- Ord. O-23-7, pt. I, 3/21/2023
- State rule incorporated
- Wis. Admin. Code NR 19.60
- Enforcing agencies
- Police, health dept., building & safety
- Penalty basis
- State-set forfeiture, capped at $2,000 (§ 1.12.010)
- Related ban
- Trapping wild animals on public land (§ 9.12.010)
Summary
Wauwatosa enforces the state's wildlife-feeding rule locally: § 9.12.020 adopts Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 19.60, 'Feeding of Wild Animals,' by reference into city law, including all future amendments, and directs the police department, health department and building and safety division to administer and enforce it. Adopted by Ord. O-23-7 on March 21, 2023, it gives city departments, not just the DNR, enforcement authority.
Adopted by Reference. That portion of the Administrative Code of the State of Wisconsin, NR 19.60 - Feeding of Wild Animals, is adopted and all amendments thereto are adopted and incorporated in this code by reference except as herein modified. Enforcement. The police department, health department, building and safety division and all other city employees or agents designated by the city administrator are authorized and directed to administer and enforce the provisions of the Administrative Code adopted by this section.
Full Breakdown
12 'Wild Animals' contains two operative sections. 010 makes it unlawful for anyone other than a government employee acting officially to set a trap of any kind on public land in the city for the purpose of trapping wild animals, tracing to Ord. O-80-104 § 11 (1980). 020, headed 'Feeding Of Wild Animals,' reads: 'Adopted by Reference. ' It continues: 'Enforcement. 60 and its amendments provide, but the section makes enforcement a local, multi-department responsibility rather than leaving it to state game wardens alone. 010 provides that where a state statute a city ordinance adopts by reference requires a forfeiture of a specified amount not exceeding $2,000, that state-set amount becomes the penalty for violating the local ordinance. 020 was adopted by Ord. O-23-7, pt. I, on March 21, 2023, one of the more recently added provisions in Title 9.
Violations & Fines
Because § 9.12.020 adopts NR 19.60 by reference, § 1.12.010 supplies the penalty mechanics: if the state rule sets a forfeiture up to $2,000, that state amount becomes the local penalty; otherwise the general city forfeiture of $1 to $5,000 for a first offense (minimum $25 for a repeat conviction) applies. Any of the designated city departments, police, health, or building and safety, can issue the citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed deer or geese in Wauwatosa?
Who enforces the feeding ban in Wauwatosa?
What's the fine for feeding wild animals?
Does Wauwatosa have its own trapping rule too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wauwatosa
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle wildlife feeding.