Coral Gables, FL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Household cap
- 4 adult cats max
- Bell rule
- Required when unconfined
- Cap exemption
- Licensed veterinary hospitals only
- Nuisance basis
- Noise, odor, health hazard
Summary
Coral Gables requires every unconfined cat to wear a bell and caps households at four adult cats, with violations treated as a public nuisance under the city's animal code.
It shall be the duty of any person owning or in possession or control of any cat in the city to equip such cat with a bell at all times when such cat is not securely confined within a cage or a residence or other building. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, harbor, shelter, or keep more than four adult cats or four adult dogs at any one time, except veterinary hospitals properly licensed by the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Fee Schedule: Supplement 2 | Zoning Code: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 25 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Coral Gables' animal code treats cats as regulated pets, not free-roaming animals. Sec. 10-6 requires any cat not confined in a cage, residence, or other building to wear a bell at all times, a rule dating to a 1930 ordinance. Sec. 10-10 caps possession at four adult cats per household (mirroring the dog limit) and makes it unlawful to keep any cat in a way that creates a nuisance through noise, odor, or a menace to health. Only city-licensed veterinary hospitals are exempt from the four-cat cap. The Code of Ordinances has no citywide cat-licensing program or feral-colony/TNR provision.
Violations & Fines
Letting an unconfined cat go without a bell, or keeping more than four adult cats without a veterinary-hospital exemption, violates Ch. 10; nuisance cats (noise, odor, health hazard) can also be cited under Sec. 10-10(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Coral Gables require cat licenses?
How many cats can I legally keep in Coral Gables?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coral Gables
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Coral Gables to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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