Santa Rosa County, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed ban
- None (barred by FL SB 942)
- State preemption
- SB 942, effective Oct. 1, 2023
- Basis for restriction
- Individual behavior, not breed
- Dangerous-dog law
- FS Ch. 767 (adopted by county)
- Public list
- County maintains dangerous-dog registry
Summary
Santa Rosa County has no breed-specific dog ban. Florida law (SB 942, effective Oct. 1, 2023) prohibits local governments from regulating dogs by breed. The county regulates individual 'dangerous dogs' by behavior under FS Chapter 767.
"Dangerous dog" means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority: Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has 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.
Full Breakdown
The county does not ban pit bulls or any other breed. Since October 1, 2023, Florida SB 942 bars counties and cities from adopting breed-, size-, or weight-based dog regulations; restrictions on dangerous dogs must rest on an individual dog's behavior, not its breed. Santa Rosa County's ordinance adopts the state 'dangerous dog' framework: a dangerous dog is one that has aggressively bitten or severely injured a person, repeatedly killed or severely injured domestic animals off-property, was used for dog fighting, or when unprovoked chased or menaced a person. The county adopts FS Ch. 767.12 by reference and maintains a public list of dogs classified as dangerous, including breed if known.
Violations & Fines
A dog may be classified dangerous by county committee under FS 767 after a hearing; owners face confinement, registration, and liability requirements. Statute controls over ordinance in any conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Santa Rosa County?
How is a dog declared dangerous here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa County
How Santa Rosa County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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