Cape Coral, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Default rule
- Livestock/poultry banned citywide (§ 4-32)
- Exception zone
- Residential Estate + Low Density Res. II
- Minimum lot size
- 100,000 sq ft for livestock/poultry
- Animal setback
- 100 ft from non-RE zoning districts
- Shelter setback
- 150 ft from other zoning districts
- Horse rule
- Allowed RE-wide, 100-ft shelter setback
- Civil penalty
- $150 uncontested / $225 contested
Summary
Cape Coral bans keeping livestock and poultry citywide under Code § 4-32, except on Residential Estate lots carrying the Low Density Residential II future land use classification. Land Development Code § 4.2.4.B lets those RE lots keep cattle, mules, goats, sheep, swine and poultry on a minimum 100,000-square-foot lot, with a 100-foot animal-roaming setback and a 150-foot setback for shelters from other zoning districts.
3.Horses. The keeping of horses, including foals and yearlings, is permitted in the Residential Estate zoning district regardless of the Future Land Use Map classification. Any roofed structure for shelter of such animals shall be setback at least 100 feet from any property line.4.Cattle, mules, goats, sheep, swine, and poultry. The keeping, raising, and breeding of non-domestic animals, including cattle, mules, goats, sheep, swine, and poultry may be permitted in the Residential Estate as follows:a.Lot size. The minimum lot area required for the keeping, raising, and breeding of non-domestic animals, as identified in this section, is 100,000 square feet.b.Animals within this subsection may not be kept or allowed to run within 100 feet of any zoning district other than the Residential Estate (RE) within the Low Density Residential II Future Land Use Map classification and Agricultural zoning districts.c.Buildings or other roofed structures or enclosures for the keeping of animals within this subsection must be set back a minimum of 150 feet from any zoning district other than Residential Estate (RE) or Agricultural (A) zoning districts, under separate ownership.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
" That cross-referenced section spells out the keeping standards. 3 acres, and requires the animals "may not be kept or allowed to run within 100 feet of any zoning district other than the Residential Estate (RE)" with the Low Density Residential II designation or an Agricultural district. Barns, coops and other roofed shelters must sit back at least 150 feet from any non-RE, non-Agricultural zoning district under separate ownership. Horses get a more permissive rule: they are allowed in RE zoning "regardless of the Future Land Use Map classification," with only a 100-foot setback required for any roofed shelter structure from the property line, and no minimum lot size or roaming setback specified.
All of this keeping is restricted to "personal use only, or for youth or farm-education programs such as 4-H or The National FFA Organization," so commercial livestock or egg operations are not permitted under this residential exception. Outside the RE district, or on RE lots without the Low Density Residential II designation, keeping chickens, goats or other listed animals remains a straight § 4-32 violation.
Violations & Fines
Because Land Development Code § 4.2.4.B is the permitted exception to § 4-32, unlawful livestock or poultry keeping outside its terms is cited as a § 4-32 violation under the city's civil penalty schedule (§ 2-104): $150 for an uncontested first citation, $225 if contested before the Special Magistrate. Code Enforcement can require the animals removed and issue repeat citations for continuing noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Cape Coral?
How big a lot do I need to keep goats or sheep?
Are horses treated differently than other livestock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cape Coral
How Cape Coral compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Cape Coral to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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