Broward County, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential districts
- Livestock banned as pets
- First-offense fine
- $200 (Sec. 8½-16(15))
- A-1 agricultural cap
- 4 animals per net acre
- A-2 agricultural districts
- No animal number restriction
- Scope
- Unincorporated Broward only
Summary
Unincorporated Broward County prohibits keeping horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, pigs, and poultry as pets in residential zoning districts; the county's A-1 and A-2 agricultural districts allow livestock instead, with A-1 capped near four animals per acre.
Household pets. Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, pigs, and poultry shall not be permitted as pets.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Broward County's Zoning Code applies only in the unincorporated area (Sec. 39-2); Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Coral Springs enforce their own municipal codes. Under Section 39-275(14), horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, pigs, and poultry cannot be kept as pets in residential zoning districts. The county's A-1 Agricultural Estate and A-2 General Agricultural districts (Sec. 39-245(5)) permit livestock instead, with A-1 plots under ten acres capped at four animals per net acre, two per half acre, and one per quarter acre; swine are barred except one pot-bellied Vietnamese pig. Code Enforcement cites violators $200 for a first offense and $400 for a repeat one under Sec. 8½-16(15).
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock as household pets in a residential district draws a $200 fine for a first violation, $400 for a repeat, under Sec. 8½-16(15); exceeding A-1/A-2 animal limits draws a separate $175/$350 citation under Sec. 8½-16(19).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse or goat as a pet in a Broward County residential neighborhood?
Does this rule apply in Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Can I keep livestock on agricultural-zoned property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
How Broward County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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