Miami, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hen/chick cap
- 15 hens + 30 growing chicks
- Roosters
- Banned outright, any time
- Pen setback
- 100 ft from any dwelling
- Permit needed
- County health unit permit
- Droppings
- Removed at least twice weekly
Summary
Miami allows up to 15 hens and 30 growing chicks per property with a county health permit, but bans roosters entirely and requires pens sit at least 100 feet from any dwelling.
(1)No live poultry, fowl or grazing animals shall be kept, harbored, bred or maintained unless the person owning or leasing or occupying the premises...secures, possesses and maintains a permit from the county health unit, authorizing the use of the premises for such purpose.(2)In no event shall the owner or lessee or occupant of any premises keep, harbor, breed or maintain at any one time more than 15 hens and 30 growing chicks. No roosters shall be kept, harbored, bred or maintained at any time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 6-1 lets residents keep chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and limited fowl or grazing animals, but only with a permit from the county health unit. No more than 15 hens and 30 growing chicks may be kept on one property at any time, and roosters are banned outright: no exceptions for age or number. Pens must sit at least 100 feet from any human dwelling and stay free of odor and fly breeding; droppings need removal at least twice weekly into covered cans. Licensed poultry markets and premises used exclusively for clinical or medical research are exempt from these limits.
Violations & Fines
Keeping poultry without the county health permit, exceeding 15 hens or 30 chicks, keeping any rooster, or placing pens within 100 feet of a dwelling violates Sec. 6-1 and can draw code enforcement citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a rooster in Miami?
How many chickens can I legally keep?
Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
How Miami compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle chickens & livestock.