Lake County, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Lake County Code § 4-40 makes it a violation for a livestock owner to intentionally, willfully, carelessly, or negligently let livestock run at large or stray onto public or private property. "Livestock" under the county's animal control chapter covers grazing animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats, and other hoofed animals, plus ostriches, emus, and rheas raised for private or commercial use; chickens and other poultry are not livestock under this definition and are governed separately by the county's Land Development Regulations. Once livestock is found running at large, an Animal Control Officer, another county or state law enforcement officer, or a state highway patrol officer can impound it, and the animal is disposed of according to Chapter 588, Florida Statutes, the state's agricultural law.

Subsection (b) lets the county recover a schedule of fees, set by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, for impounding each animal, serving notices, feeding and caring for it, advertising or posting a sale notice, and the sale or disposal itself. When Animal Services sells or disposes of impounded livestock, subsection (c) requires a written accounting to the county's finance department; any leftover proceeds go to the owner if they prove ownership within 90 days, otherwise the balance is deposited into the Lake County Animal Shelter Trust Fund, and any shortfall in fees is covered from the general fund.

The recommended penalty in subsection (d) is $250 for a first offense and $500 for a repeat violation within five years of a prior one, on top of any impoundment and disposal costs the owner owes.