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Council holds first reading of ordinance to prohibit intentional feeding of wildlife
Summary
Lewisville council conducted a first reading of ordinance 26‑09 to prohibit intentional feeding of wildlife in residential areas (with exemptions for songbird feeders); members debated enforcement distance limits and possible calls for violations.
The Lewisville City Council on April 6 held the first reading of ordinance 26‑09, which would add section 505.16 to prohibit the intentional feeding of certain wildlife on or near public property and within a specified distance of private property lines.
Staff said the ordinance targets persistent feeding that attracts large waterfowl and other animals and stresses that exemptions for songbird feeders would remain. The proposed distances were 200 feet from public property and 150 feet from a property line in residential areas; council members expressed concern that the 150‑foot private property buffer might be strict and prompt many calls for alleged violations. Staff said local comparisons and prior complaints motivated the language and said enforcement would be reasonable and complaint‑based rather than proactive patrols.
Council took the item through its first reading; additional drafting and examples from neighboring communities (Barberton cited) were discussed to refine exemptions and enforcement language before subsequent readings.
