Melbourne, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- For any animal except dogs/cats outside a residence
- Rooster policy
- Generally denied absent unique property factors
- Structure size trigger
- Over 100 sq ft or 6 ft needs building permit
- Permit term
- 2 years, § 10-27(h)
- Inspection
- Annual, by code compliance, § 10-28
- Maximum penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Melbourne requires a city animal permit before keeping chickens, other fowl or livestock outside a residence. Sec. 10-27 sets the application, structure and setback conditions, and specifically warns that permits for roosters are generally not issued unless the property is unusual.
(a)A permit shall be required for animals (except domestic dogs and cats) that are kept outside of a residence. An applicant for an animal permit must complete a form provided by the city clerk and provide a hand-drawn diagram that includes the following: street name; location of house; and location of any structure used to house the animal. If an animal structure will be used, it must be in place prior to submitting the animal permit application.(b)Animal structures must meet any setback requirements established in this Code. If an animal structure is larger than 100 square feet or higher than six feet, a building permit for an accessory structure will be required from the code compliance division....(d)The number of animals permitted will be based on the zoning district, lot size, and usable lot area as determined by a physical inspection of the site by the city. Animal permits will generally not be issued for roosters unless there is something unique about the property, such as zoning, acreage, and location.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-27(a) requires a permit for any animal, except domestic dogs and cats, kept outside of a residence, including backyard chickens, other fowl and livestock. The applicant must complete a form from the city clerk and submit a hand-drawn diagram showing the street name, the house location, and the location of any structure that will house the animal; if a coop or enclosure will be used, it must already be in place before the application is submitted. Subsection (b) requires any animal structure to meet the setback requirements elsewhere in the Code, and if that structure exceeds 100 square feet or stands taller than six feet, the owner must separately obtain an accessory structure building permit from the code compliance division.
Subsection (c) has code compliance staff physically inspect the site and recommend approval or denial to the city clerk. ' Subsection (e) requires outdoor animal feed to be kept in sealed containers to keep out rodents, insects and wildlife, and subsection (h) makes a permit valid for two years, after which a new application is required to keep it active. Sec. 10-28 subjects every permitted site to an annual inspection, and Sec. 10-29 holds the permit holder to a sanitary standard based on neighbor complaints and staff observation.
Violations & Fines
Keeping chickens, other fowl or livestock outside a residence without the Sec. 10-27 permit, or violating a permit's conditions such as the setback, structure size or feed-storage rules, is a code violation. The city clerk may revoke the permit under Sec. 10-30, and unpermitted keeping is separately enforceable under the citywide penalty in Sec. 1-14: a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in Melbourne, Florida?
Can I keep a rooster in Melbourne?
How big can a chicken coop be without extra permits in Melbourne?
How long does a Melbourne animal-keeping permit last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Melbourne
How Melbourne compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Melbourne to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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