Fort Myers, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

There is no pit bull ban, no breed-restricted permit, and no breed-restricted insurance requirement in Fort Myers. Florida Statute § 767.14 ('Additional local restrictions authorized') states: 'Nothing in this act shall limit any local government from placing further restrictions or additional requirements on owners of dangerous dogs or developing procedures and criteria for the implementation of this act, provided that no such regulation is specific to breed.' This preemption was strengthened in 2023 when the Florida Legislature passed SB 942, which closed the prior Miami-Dade County grandfather exception and confirmed that no Florida local government - including Fort Myers and Lee County - may enact breed-specific legislation on or after October 1, 2023. Dangerous-dog and aggressive-animal regulation in Fort Myers is therefore conduct-based: a dog must be individually adjudicated 'dangerous' under Fla. Stat. § 767.12 by LCDAS following a bite, severe injury, or unprovoked aggressive behavior. Owners of dogs adjudicated 'dangerous' must register the dog (annual $500 fee under Fla. Stat. § 767.12), maintain a secure enclosure, post warning signs, microchip the dog, carry $100,000 liability insurance, and follow strict muzzle/leash rules when off-property. Lee County Ordinance 14-22 implements the state framework locally.