Okaloosa County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed Bans
- Preempted statewide
- State Law
- Fla. Stat. § 767.14
- Dangerous Dogs
- Behavior-based only
- Registration Fee
- $100 annually
- Landlords/HOAs
- May restrict by contract
Summary
Florida preempts breed-specific dog bans, so Okaloosa County cannot outlaw any breed. Section 767.14 bars local rules specific to breed, weight, or size, and a 2023 amendment ended the last grandfathered ban. The county regulates dangerous dogs by behavior under 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
Okaloosa County adopts Florida's Dangerous Dog Act, Chapter 767, by reference in Section 5-27, and state law forecloses any breed ban. Section 767.14 lets a county place added restrictions on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked, but bars any regulation specific to breed, weight, or size. A 2023 amendment removed the exception that had let Miami-Dade's old pit bull ban survive, so no Florida jurisdiction may ban a breed today. Regulation is behavior-based: a dog is declared dangerous only after specific conduct, and its owner then faces secure confinement, registration, a $100 annual fee, and liability duties. Landlords and HOAs may still restrict breeds by contract.
Violations & Fines
A breed-specific local ordinance is preempted and unenforceable. A dog is restricted only through an individual dangerous-dog classification based on its own conduct, which carries confinement, registration, and liability requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Okaloosa County ban pit bulls?
How is a dangerous dog handled?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Okaloosa County
How Okaloosa County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Okaloosa County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.