The Village of Ridgewood Feels it’s Smarter then the Average Bear

file photos by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Move over Yogi Bear, the Village of Ridgewood thinks it’s smarter than the average bear — and it’s got the legislation to prove it.

In a bold move sure to ruffle feathers (and maybe some fur), Ridgewood has officially banned wildlife feeding on private property, becoming the first municipality in New Jersey to take your backyard buffet off the menu. Yes, that includes bird feeders. Yes, even the cute ones. Especially the cute ones.

Bird Feeder Buffets? Not Anymore.

On April 9, the Ridgewood Village Council unanimously passed an ordinance that expands its previous ban on feeding wildlife in public spaces to include your very own yard. The new rules are strict — no snacks for the squirrels, no crumbs for the chipmunks, and definitely no buffet for bears.

Here’s what the village is calling “bird-friendly” these days:

• Feeders must be at least six feet off the ground

• They must have seed-catching trays (no spillage, no excuses)

• Three feeders max per property

• Ground feeding? Completely banned. Not even for that one pigeon you named Larry.

The rules apply year-round and are designed to keep Ridgewood’s local wildlife from turning into uninvited dinner guests. Think less “Snow White woodland vibes” and more “Black Bear staring at your patio door.”

Why the Crackdown?

According to Deputy Mayor Pamela Perron, “Feeding wildlife brings them closer to homes, creating health and safety hazards.” The ordinance also name-drops tick-borne illnesses, bird flu (H5N1), and ecological chaos. Basically, if it bites, buzzes, or poops where it shouldn’t — Ridgewood isn’t taking any chances.

Meanwhile in Trenton… Crickets

This local law hits while the New Jersey Legislature is still squabbling over the hotly contested Assembly Bill A360 and Senate Bill S765 — both of which proposed statewide bird feeder restrictions to deter black bears.

Originally, the state bill had rules worthy of an escape room challenge: feeders could only be out April through November, had to be 10 feet in the air, taken in nightly, and free of any ground debris. One missed crumb? That’ll be $1,000, thank you very much.

But after public outrage (and possibly a few angry tweets with pictures of hummingbirds), lawmakers walked it back. As of now, the feeder ban has been scratched in favor of focusing on — wait for it — better trash control.

Backlash with a Side of Birdseed

Ridgewood’s ordinance, however, flew ahead of the flock — and not everyone is chirping with joy.

Social media exploded with reactions ranging from annoyed to full-blown dramatic. One user on X (formerly Twitter) declared:

“Ridgewood New Jersey wants to BAN private citizens from feeding the wildlife… How about NO.”
A fair response, considering bird-watching is basically New Jersey’s unofficial retirement sport, with over 2.3 million residents calling themselves casual birders.

So Who’s Policing the Finches?

That’s still unclear. Ridgewood hasn’t exactly laid out the enforcement strategy. No word yet on whether there’ll be a “Bird Feeder Patrol” — but don’t be surprised if your neighbor starts eyeing your backyard setup with a new level of suspicion.

Meanwhile, other North Jersey towns are perching on the fence. Several are reportedly watching Ridgewood’s next steps before swooping in with their own ordinances. With Bergen County ranking high in bear sightings, this could just be the start of a much bigger turf war between wildlife and suburbia.

Final Thoughts: Is Ridgewood Going Wild or Just Playing It Safe?

Whether you see it as smart planning or suburban overreach, one thing’s for sure: Ridgewood is not playing games when it comes to bears, birds, or backyard buffets.

So if you’re a Ridgewood resident with a soft spot for feathered friends, it might be time to bird-watch from a distance—or risk becoming Public Enemy No. 1 in the eyes of both the law and the squirrels.

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