Garfield vs Ridgewood
How do wildlife feeding rules compare between Garfield, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ?
Garfield has fewer restrictions than Ridgewood.
Garfield, NJ
Bergen County
Garfield bans feeding waterfowl, songbirds, pigeons, and backyard birds on public property and limits private feeding to small, nuisance-free amounts.
View full Garfield rules →Ridgewood, NJ
Bergen County
Ridgewood prohibits feeding unconfined wildlife and restricts bird feeders on private property, requiring elevation, seed catchers, and a maximum of three feeders per lot.
View full Ridgewood rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Garfield | Ridgewood |
|---|---|---|
| Public Property | Bird feeding prohibited | - |
| Feeder Capacity | Five pounds maximum | - |
| Nuisance Standard | No droppings buildup allowed | - |
| Covered Birds | Waterfowl, songbirds, pigeons | - |
| Min feeder height | - | 6 feet |
| Feeders per lot | - | 3 maximum |
| Ground feeding | - | Prohibited |
| Fine range | - | $25 to $1,000 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Garfield FAQ
Can I feed pigeons in a Garfield park?
No. The ordinance prohibits feeding waterfowl, songbirds, pigeons, and backyard birds in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the City of Garfield.
Are bird feeders allowed in my Garfield backyard?
Yes, but only if the feeder holds five pounds or less of seed, does not unreasonably disturb neighbors, and does not cause droppings to accumulate on your property or adjacent ones.
Ridgewood FAQ
Are bird feeders banned in Ridgewood?
No, but they must be at least six feet above the ground, have seed-catching devices, and you may have no more than three feeders on any property.
Can I leave food out for deer or stray cats?
No. Feeding deer, raccoons, wildfowl, and other unconfined wildlife is prohibited on both public and private property in Ridgewood.
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