Effective Bear Ordinances / Regulations
Garbage isn’t the only thing that attracts bears. Creating ordinances and bylaws that address community issues will set standards and make it easier for communities and agencies to make sure everyone does their part to protect people, property and bears.
Most towns / counties can enact ordinances anytime; annual changes are common. HOAs have a process for changing or passing bylaws. Bring leaders a well-crafted sample and show how it will help save money, reduce conflicts and property damage, and make the community safer.
Examples of Ordinances/Bylaws That Create Lasting Change
- Store trash and garbage in bear-resistant containers or enclosures or inside a sturdy building until the morning of pick-up (for residents and businesses).
- Don’t feed birds (seeds, nectar, suet, other foods) during months when bears are active.
- Feeding wildlife or feral cats, or using other attractants to attract wild animals, including bears, deer, turkeys and raccoons, is not allowed at any time.
- Small backyard livestock (i.e. chickens, goats), beehives, and fruit trees must be protected by electric fencing.
While every community is unique, many causes of human-bear conflicts are universal.
Bear Ordinances in Action
Many towns, HOAs and communities have drafted and passed ordinances / regulations that support BearWise behavior. The ordinances can address such issues as wildlife-resistant trash storage, pet food storage, securing attractants, and feeding wildlife, including birds. Here are a few examples from across the country:
The Town of Snowmass Village, Colorado Wildlife Protection Ordinance (Updated 2023).
Includes bears and a wide range of wildlife. Defines bear-resistant containers, enclosures, dumpsters, special events, bans intentional feeding of wildlife, harassment of wildlife, requires bird feeders be inaccessible to bears, extensive schedule of fines for various offenses.
Cordillera, Colorado Property Owners Association and Metropolitan District – Wildlife Resolution
This wildlife resolution sample covers intentional feeding and unintentionally providing food in any manner meant for birds that would attract other larger wildlife, including bears. Also covers pet food, grills, extensive provisions and description for bear-resistant garbage. Includes basis and purpose, intent, definitions, schedule of fines and enforcement.
New England States Feeding Bears Report (2018) by Connecticut Office of Legislative Affairs
Reviews “Feeding Bears on Private Property” regulations in New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Lists provisions, bans, exceptions and penalties by state. Cites code numbers.
West Yellowstone, Montana Bear Ordinance
Covers intentional feeding of bears, garbage disposal, harassing and approaching bears, garbage collection, requirements for non-bear-resistant garbage storage.
Whitefish, Montana Bear Ordinance
Full Code, Article Explaining BRC Rollout, Emergency Authorization Order 2022
State of Montana – Unlawful Supplemental Feeding Code (2023)
Prohibits providing supplemental food attractants to game animals or wild turkeys; prohibits recreational feeding of birds in a manner that attracts ungulates, bears or wild turkeys after person has been warned by MFWP; imposes fines from $50 to $1,000.
State of Virginia – Unauthorized Feeding of Wildlife Code
Covers all intentional or unintentional feeding of wildlife including placing, distributing or allowing the placement of food, minerals, carrion, trash or similar substances that attract wildlife in ways that could cause property damage, endanger any person or wildlife or create a public health concern.
Bear ordinances from Farmington, Connecticut
Intentional and Unintentional feeding of birds/wildlife
Improperly Storing Food, Refuse, or Other Wildlife Attractants
Bear ordinances from Simsbury, Connecticut
Intentional Feeding of Wildlife, Feeding Birds
Improperly Storing Food, Refuse, or Other Wildlife Attractants
Simsbury CT Ordinance FAQ
(explains provisions, penalties, education, how and why ordinance was enacted)
Bear ordinances from Vail, Colorado
Bird feeding restrictions and fines; requires certified BRCs, defines enclosures and containers, covers special events, construction sites, commercial properties, compactors
Bear ordinances from Missoula, Montana
Storage regs, options for BRCs or trash placement hours, construction/permit guidelines
Bear ordinances from Boulder, Colorado
BRCs, dumpsters and enclosures required in bear activity zones.
Bear ordinance from Orange County, Florida
Mandates BRCs in identified bear management areas.
“Garbage, bird feeders, fruit trees and backyard small livestock are universally what brings bears near people.”
Richard Beausoleil, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
