Wayne, NJ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- General ban
- Feeding or baiting wildlife in any manner is unlawful
- Named species
- Bears, deer, Canada Geese, wild turkeys, pigeons, waterfowl
- Waterfowl rule
- No feeding or permitting the feeding of any waterfowl
- Exceptions
- Legal fish and game taking, zoos, education centers, compliant TNVM colonies
- Penalty reference
- Chapter 1, § 1-15 (up to $2,000 fine)
Summary
In Wayne Township, NJ, it is unlawful to feed or bait wildlife in any manner. Section 68-71 names bears, deer, Canada Geese, wild turkeys, pigeons and waterfowl, and § 68-44 separately bars feeding or permitting the feeding of any waterfowl. The Health Department's officials act as compliance officials, and penalties run through Chapter 1, § 1-15.
§ 68-44. Feeding waterfowl. It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or permit the feeding of any waterfowl within the Township. § 68- ... 71. Feeding of wildlife and feral cats prohibited. ... For the protection of the health and welfare of the citizens, it shall be unlawful to feed or bait wildlife including but not limited to bears, deer, feral cats not covered in this chapter, Canada Geese, wild turkeys, pigeons or waterfowl or other non-domesticated animals in any manner within the Township. This article does not prohibit baiting and the legal taking of fish or game, the feeding of confined wildlife or farm animals that are displayed at petting zoos, parks, rehabilitation centers, zoos or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers, or TNVM cat colonies that comply with the provisions of this article.
Full Breakdown
Two provisions of Chapter 68 govern feeding. Article V, § 68-44, makes it unlawful for any person to feed or permit the feeding of any waterfowl within the Township. Waterfowl are defined as swans, geese, brants, river and sea ducks, sea gulls and any other waterfowl under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife. In that article, compliance official means officials of the Township Health Department, and feed means furnishing food or other sustenance essential for growth or maintenance.
Article XIII, § 68-71, adopted by Ord. No. 7-2015, is broader. For the protection of the health and welfare of the citizens, it is unlawful to feed or bait wildlife, including but not limited to bears, deer, feral cats not covered in the chapter, Canada Geese, wild turkeys, pigeons or waterfowl or other non-domesticated animals, in any manner within the Township. Section 68-70 defines feed as giving, placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife, feral or community cats, and defines wildlife as any animals that are neither human nor domesticated.
The article carves out four situations: baiting and the legal taking of fish or game; the feeding of confined wildlife or farm animals displayed at petting zoos, parks, rehabilitation centers or zoos; unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers; and TNVM cat colonies that comply with the article. Feral and community cats are handled separately. Section 68-77 bars colonies that are not part of a TNVM program and bars anyone from feeding a feral or community cat unless the caregiver requirements in § 68-73 are met.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the waterfowl article (§ 68-45) and the animal feeding article (§ 68-78) are punished on conviction under Chapter 1, § 1-15, where § 1-15.1 sets the maximum at up to 90 days in the County Jail, a fine not exceeding $2,000, or up to 90 days of community service. Under § 68-77E, anyone maintaining feral cats outside a TNVM program also bears the costs of trapping, spaying or neutering, housing, vaccinating, eartipping, medical care, nuisance abatement and euthanasia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed deer or geese in my yard in Wayne Township?
What counts as feeding under the Wayne Township Code?
Are there exceptions to the wildlife feeding ban?
Can I feed stray or feral cats in Wayne Township?
What is the penalty for feeding wildlife in Wayne Township?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wayne
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Wildlife Feeding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle wildlife feeding.