Tallahassee, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed-specific rules
- None appear in the city code
- Classification basis
- Individual behavior, not breed
- Required enclosure
- Locked pen, ten feet by ten
- Liability insurance or bond
- Not less than $100,000.00
- Outside the enclosure
- Muzzle and three-foot chain
Summary
Tallahassee's animal chapter regulates dogs by behavior, and no breed-specific provision appears anywhere in it. A dog that bites, attacks or menaces can be classified dangerous, which triggers strict confinement, insurance and registration duties.
767.14 Additional local restrictions authorized. - 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. History. - s. 5, ch. 90-180; s. 5, ch. 2016-16; s. 1, ch. 2023-253.
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Full Breakdown
Chapter 4 defines a dangerous dog by what it has done: aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or inflicted severe injury on a person; more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal off the owner's property; or, unprovoked, chased or approached someone in a menacing fashion. Once a dog is classified, section 4-144 requires an enclosed and locked pen or kennel at least ten feet by ten feet with a concrete foundation, and a chain no more than three feet long whenever the dog is outside it. Section 4-145 requires liability insurance or a surety bond of at least $100,000.00. Sections 4-148 and 4-149 require sterilization and a microchip.
Violations & Fines
Minimum civil penalties for dangerous-animal provisions that cause no injury are $250.00 for a first infraction and $500.00 thereafter, with $500.00 the maximum civil penalty for each violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any dog breeds banned in Tallahassee?
What happens if a dog is declared dangerous in Tallahassee?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tallahassee
How Tallahassee compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tallahassee to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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