Tarpon Springs, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Fla. Stat. 767.14
- Preemption effective
- October 1, 2023
- Local breed bans
- Prohibited statewide
- Dangerous-dog rules
- Behavior-based, allowed
- Enforcement
- Pinellas County Animal Services
Summary
Florida Statute 767.14, as amended by SB 942 effective October 1, 2023, prohibits any local government from regulating dogs based on breed, weight, or size, fully preempting Tarpon Springs from adopting breed-specific restrictions.
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.
Full Breakdown
Tarpon Springs cannot enact or enforce breed-specific dog regulations because Florida Statute 767.14 preempts local breed bans. The 2023 amendment via SB 942 eliminated the prior grandfather clause that had allowed Miami-Dade County's pit bull ban, and now uniformly bars any Florida county, municipality, or housing authority from adopting policies that target a specific breed, weight, or size. Tarpon Springs may still regulate dangerous dogs under the broader Chapter 767 framework, including impoundment, muzzling orders, and registration of dogs declared dangerous after a hearing, but those measures must apply to individual dogs based on documented behavior, not breed.
Violations & Fines
Local breed-specific rules are unenforceable; dangerous-dog determinations follow Chapter 767 due-process procedures with civil and criminal penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tarpon Springs ban pit bulls?
Can my dog still be declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tarpon Springs
How Tarpon Springs compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tarpon Springs to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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Breed Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle breed restrictions.