Charlotte County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed Bans
- Prohibited statewide
- Basis
- Individual behavior only
- 2023 Amendment
- Ended last grandfathered ban
- Landlords
- May restrict by contract
Summary
Breed-specific dog bans are prohibited in Florida. Section 767.14 lets local governments regulate dangerous dogs but bars any rule specific to breed, weight, or size. A 2023 amendment ended the last grandfathered ban, so Charlotte County cannot outlaw any breed.
This act does not limit any local government or public housing authority from adopting an ordinance or a policy, respectively, to address the safety and welfare concerns caused by attacks on persons or domestic animals; placing further restrictions or additional requirements on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked persons or domestic animals; or developing procedures and criteria for the implementation of this act, provided that no such regulation is specific to breed, weight, or size and that the provisions of this act are not lessened by such additional regulations or requirements.
Full Breakdown
Florida expressly preempts breed-specific legislation, so Charlotte County cannot ban or restrict pit bulls or any other breed. Section 767.14 lets the county place further restrictions on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked, provided no regulation is specific to breed, weight, or size, and a 2023 amendment removed the exception that had let Miami-Dade's pre-2019 pit bull ban survive. Regulation is behavior-based under the Dangerous Dog Act, sections 767.11 and 767.12: a dog is declared dangerous only after conduct such as an unprovoked attack causing severe injury, and its owner then faces confinement, secure enclosure, muzzling, registration, and liability duties. Landlords, HOAs, and insurers may still restrict breeds by contract.
Violations & Fines
A breed-specific local ordinance is preempted and unenforceable under section 767.14. A dog is restricted only through an individual dangerous-dog classification based on its own conduct, which carries confinement, muzzling, and registration requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Charlotte County ban pit bulls?
How is a dangerous dog handled instead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charlotte County
How Charlotte County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Charlotte County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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