Jacksonville, FL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Under Ordinance Code § 462.502, every dog, cat or ferret four months or older must be vaccinated against rabies and carry a City license tag renewed annually (or per the vaccination's duration). The tag must be worn on a collar or harness whenever the cat is outside the owner's residence (§ 462.503), with an RFID microchip exception if registration is current. A cat is "at-large" if it's off the owner's property and not on a leash or tether, or has wandered onto another person's property or the public right-of-way (§ 462.102(f)). Sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped cats enrolled in a managed community cat colony are exempt from licensing and at-large enforcement (§§ 462.102(i), 462.312(b)). Violations bring a civil fine under Chapter 462, Part 18, and Animal Care and Protective Services officers may impound stray or at-large cats (§ 462.601).