Wildlife Feeding: Boston vs New York
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Boston, MA and New York, NY?
Boston and New York have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston prohibits feeding of wildlife that attracts rodents or creates a nuisance under City Code 16-1.9, and MassWildlife bans feeding of bears, coyotes, and deer statewide.
View full Boston rules →New York, NY
New York County
NYC Health Code §161.09(d) prohibits feeding pigeons, and NYC Parks Rules §1-04(q) prohibit feeding wildlife in parks (except squirrels and birds at designated areas). Admin Code §17-195 specifically bans pigeon feeding citywide with fines up to $1,000.
View full New York rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|
| City Rule | City Code 16-1.9 | - |
| State Ban | Bears, coyotes, deer (321 CMR 2.14) | - |
| Cat Colonies | Managed permit required | - |
| Park Pigeon Feed | Prohibited | - |
| Pigeon Feeding | - | Banned citywide (§17-195) |
| Parks Wildlife | - | Feeding prohibited (§1-04(q)) |
| Pigeon Fine | - | Up to $1,000 |
| Parks Fine | - | $50 |
| Feral Cats | - | Managed TNR colonies permitted |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
New York FAQ
Is it illegal to feed pigeons in NYC?
Yes. Admin Code §17-195 (Local Law 46 of 2007) prohibits feeding pigeons on any public or private property in NYC. Fines can reach $1,000. This applies citywide, not just in parks.
Can I feed birds in NYC parks?
Generally no. Parks Rules §1-04(q) prohibit feeding wildlife in parks. Some parks have designated bird feeding areas for songbirds, but feeding pigeons, geese, or other wildlife is prohibited.
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