Yes, feeding wild pigeons is permitted in Italy but subject to municipal and regional regulations, with enforcement tightening by 2026 under the Decreto Legislativo 267/2000 (Testo Unico degli Enti Locali) and local wildlife protection laws.
Feeding wild pigeons in Italy is not outright banned, but municipalities increasingly restrict it to mitigate public health risks and urban damage. Local ordinances often require permits for large-scale feeding, while some cities (e.g., Rome, Milan) prohibit it entirely in public spaces. Violations may incur fines up to €500, with enforcement escalating under the 2026 Piano Nazionale per la Biodiversità to align with EU biodiversity goals.
Key Regulations for Feeding Wild Pigeons in Italy
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Municipal Ordinances: Local councils (e.g., Comune di Roma, Comune di Milano) regulate feeding via regolamenti comunali. Rome’s 2023 ordinance bans feeding in historic centers and parks, citing sanitation concerns. Milan’s Delibera 2024/12 restricts feeding to licensed zones only.
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National Wildlife Framework: Under Legge 157/1992 (protection of wild fauna), feeding must not disrupt natural behaviors or harm ecosystems. The 2026 Piano Nazionale per la Biodiversità will integrate stricter controls, requiring environmental impact assessments for large-scale feeding operations.
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Public Health & Nuisance Laws: Feeding may violate Legge Regionale Lombardia 33/2015 or Legge Regionale Lazio 10/2021, which classify pigeon overpopulation as a public nuisance. Fines apply if feeding contributes to property damage or disease vectors (e.g., salmonellosis in urban areas).