Palm Coast, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Basis for classification
- Behavior, not breed
- Governing definition
- § 8-28, Dangerous dog
- Appeal window
- 7 calendar days
- Registration deadline
- 14 days after final order
- Required insurance
- $100,000 per dog
- Repeat-bite dog
- Destroyed after 10-day hold
Summary
Palm Coast has no breed-specific ban; instead Sec. 8-28 classifies a dog as 'dangerous' only for what it has done, such as biting or menacingly chasing someone, and Sec. 8-40 through 8-43 lay out the investigation, hearing, registration, insurance and confinement rules that follow that classification.
Dangerous dog means any dog that, according to animal control authority records, other animal control or law enforcement authorities:(1)Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;(2)Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property; or(3)Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the appropriate authority.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44 | Land Development Code: Supplement 18).
Full Breakdown
Palm Coast's ordinance does not target any dog breed by name. Sec. 8-28 defines a 'dangerous dog' as any dog that, according to animal control authority records or other animal control or law enforcement authorities, has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property; has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property; or has, unprovoked, chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion, attested to in a sworn statement and investigated by the appropriate authority.
Sec. 8-40 lays out the classification process: the animal control authority investigates, may immediately confiscate a dog involved in a severe human injury pending the outcome, and must provide written notice of an initial determination that the owner can appeal to a hearing officer within seven calendar days and, after that, to circuit court. A dog cannot be declared dangerous if the injured party was trespassing or provoking the dog, or if the dog was defending someone from an unjustified attack. Once classified, Sec. 00 in liability insurance per dangerous dog.
Sec. 8-41 and 8-42 require destruction of a dog that bites again after classification or that kills a human, subject to a ten-business-day hold and appeal rights.
Violations & Fines
Failing to register a dangerous dog within 14 days, letting insurance lapse, or keeping the dog outside a compliant enclosure violates Sec. 8-43. A previously classified dog that bites or attacks again without provocation must be confiscated and, after a ten-business-day hold, destroyed under Sec. 8-41 unless the owner requests a hearing under Sec. 8-40(a)(8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palm Coast ban specific dog breeds?
What happens once a dog is classified dangerous?
Can I appeal a dangerous dog classification?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Coast
How Palm Coast compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Coast to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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