Volusia County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Initial registration fee
- $1,500.00
- Annual renewal fee
- $500.00
- Required liability insurance
- At least $500,000.00
- Leash minimum strength/length
- 300 lb. tensile, max. 3 feet
- Non-compliance fine
- Up to $1,000.00 per violation
- Confiscation hold before destruction
- 10 business days
Summary
Volusia County does not ban dog breeds but imposes a heavy registration scheme on any dog classified dangerous under state law: a $1,500 initial registration fee, $500 annual renewal, a secure enclosure, warning signs, microchipping and at least $500,000 in liability insurance.
Authority. The provisions of F.S. §§ 767.10—767.16, or their successor are hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference... Registration and restrictions. Except as otherwise provided...the owner of a dog classified as a dangerous dog shall...obtain a certificate of registration for the dog from the animal services division. The initial registration fee for the dangerous dog shall be $1,500.00. The owner shall be required to renew the certificate at an annual cost of $500.00... Proof of liability insurance coverage in an amount of at least $500,000.00 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 108 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
16 by reference and has the Animal Services Division enforce the state's dangerous-dog classification and destruction provisions. 00 in liability insurance naming the county as certificate holder. Outside the secure enclosure, the dog must be muzzled and restrained on a leash of at least 300 pounds tensile strength and no more than three feet long, under an adult's control. Owners must immediately report if the dog gets loose, bites, is sold, dies, or is moved. A dog that has previously been declared dangerous and then bites or attacks without provocation must be confiscated and held ten business days before being destroyed, with a right to request a hearing before a special magistrate.
Hunting, sporting, law enforcement and service dogs are exempt from classification while engaged in those legal activities, though a dog already classified dangerous cannot use that exemption.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the dangerous-dog registration and confinement requirements is a non-criminal infraction carrying a civil fine of up to $1,000.00 per violation under section 14-42(h)(3)(a); an animal control officer may immediately impound a dangerous dog, and after ten days' notice under F.S. § 767.13 or the conclusion of any appeal, the dog may be humanely euthanized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Volusia County ban any dog breeds?
What does it cost to keep a dog once it is classified dangerous in Volusia County?
Can a classified dangerous dog ever be off a leash outside its enclosure?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Volusia County
How Volusia County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Volusia County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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