Marion County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- F.S. 767.14; Marion County Code Sec. 4-2, Secs. 4-22 to 4-26
- Breed bans
- None; prohibited by Florida law
- Prohibited criteria
- Breed, weight, and size (F.S. 767.14)
- Basis for regulation
- Dangerous-dog behavior (F.S. 767.11)
Summary
Marion County does not ban or restrict any dog breed. Florida law (F.S. 767.14) bars local governments from regulating dogs based on breed, weight, or size, so the county's only dog rules are breed-neutral dangerous-dog provisions under Chapter 4 and F.S. Chapter 767.
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
No Marion County-specific ordinance restricts dogs by breed. ' A 2023 amendment (Ch. 2023, SB 942) removed the prior grandfather clause that had allowed pre-October 1, 1990 breed-specific ordinances, so breed-specific local regulation is now prohibited statewide. Marion County's dog provisions are accordingly breed-neutral: Code Sec. S. 11 verbatim (a dog that has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted severe injury on a human; has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal off the owner's property; or, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion attested by sworn statement). Secs. 4-22 through 4-26 establish the procedures for classifying, registering, confining, and (in attack cases) destroying dangerous dogs regardless of breed.
Violations & Fines
Enforcement is based on a dog's behavior, not its breed. A dog classified as dangerous under Sec. 4-22 and F.S. 767.12 must meet registration, confinement, and muzzle/leash requirements; an attack or bite by a dangerous dog can lead to confiscation and destruction and criminal penalties under Sec. 4-25 and F.S. 767.13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls or any breeds banned in Marion County?
What makes a dog 'dangerous' in Marion County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion County
How Marion County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Marion County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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