Leon County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Unincorporated Leon County does not ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed. Florida is a breed-neutral state: Fla. Stat. 767.14 (Additional local restrictions authorized) lets a local government place further restrictions on dogs that have bitten or attacked, 'provided that no such regulation is specific to breed, weight, or size.' A 2023 amendment (Ch. 2023-253, Laws of Florida) removed the prior grandfather clause, so as of October 1, 2023, no Florida local government may adopt or keep any breed-, weight-, or size-specific dog regulation. Consistent with this, Leon County Ordinance 23-01 recites that the County 'desires to align its ordinance regarding Animal Control with the definitions and requirements of Chapter 767, Florida Statutes.' Leon County's Code of Laws Chapter 4 regulates dogs by individual behavior. The Sec. 4-26 definition of 'dangerous animal' is conduct-based: an animal that, unprovoked, has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted severe injury on a person; has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal off the owner's property; or has chased or approached a person menacingly - none of which references breed. Dangerous and aggressive animals are handled under Chapter 4, Article II, Division 4, which requires neutering within 14 days of final classification, a permit and tag, and impoundment for subsequent bites. State dangerous-dog obligations in Fla. Stat. 767.12 also apply, including a secure enclosure, posted warning signs, and muzzling and leashing under control of a competent person when the dog is outside the enclosure.