Bay County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed Bans
- Preempted statewide
- State Law
- Fla. Stat. § 767.14
- Dangerous Dogs
- Behavior-based only
- 2023 Amendment
- Ended last grandfathered ban
- Landlords/HOAs
- May restrict by contract
Summary
Breed-specific dog bans are prohibited in Florida, so Bay County cannot outlaw any breed. Section 767.14 lets local governments regulate dangerous dogs but bars any rule specific to breed, weight, or size. A 2023 amendment ended the last grandfathered ban.
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
Florida is home-rule for animal control, but the state expressly preempts breed-specific legislation. Section 767.14 lets Bay County place further restrictions on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked, provided no regulation is specific to breed, weight, or size. A 2023 amendment removed the earlier exception that had let Miami-Dade's pit bull ban survive, so no Florida jurisdiction may ban a breed today. Regulation is behavior-based under the Dangerous Dog Act, Chapter 767: a dog is declared dangerous only after specific conduct such as an unprovoked attack, and its owner then faces secure confinement, muzzling, registration, and liability requirements. Private landlords, HOAs, and insurers may still restrict breeds by contract.
Violations & Fines
A breed-specific local ordinance is preempted and unenforceable under Section 767.14. A dog is restricted only through an individual dangerous-dog classification based on its own conduct, which carries confinement, muzzling, and registration duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bay County ban pit bulls?
How is a dangerous dog handled?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bay County
How Bay County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Bay County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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