Zephyrhills, FL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- BSL
- Prohibited by FL §767.14
- Dangerous Dogs
- FL §767.01-767.04 (behavior-based)
- Breed Bans
- Not allowed in Florida
- Exception
- Only Miami-Dade (grandfathered)
Summary
Zephyrhills cannot enforce breed-specific legislation. Florida Statute §767.14 preempts all local breed-specific dog regulations. Dangerous dog designations are behavior-based under FL §767.01-767.04.
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;
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Zephyrhills does not enforce breed-specific legislation (BSL) in city limits. Instead, the county uses behavior-based dangerous dog classifications. A dog may be declared "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" after biting a person, attacking another animal, or exhibiting threatening behavior. Owners of declared dangerous dogs must maintain secure enclosures (6-foot fenced yard or kennel), carry $100,000+ liability insurance, muzzle the dog in public, and register the animal with Zephyrhills Animal Control annually. Florida state law governs the hearing process for dangerous dog declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any dog breeds banned in Zephyrhills?
Are there pit bull restrictions in Zephyrhills?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Zephyrhills
How Zephyrhills compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Zephyrhills to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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