West Palm Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

" Poultry is listed by name, so backyard chickens, ducks and other domestic fowl fall squarely under the prohibition along with traditional farm livestock like cattle, goats, sheep and swine. The section draws no distinction between a hobbyist keeping two hens and a commercial operation; the keeping, maintaining or pasturing of any listed animal within the city limits is unlawful regardless of scale, lot size or whether the animals are confined to a coop or pen. Section 14-1 sits in chapter 14, article I, the general animal provisions that predate the separate dog and cat articles later in the same chapter, and it has not been amended to carve out an urban-agriculture or backyard-flock exception the way some neighboring municipalities have done.

00 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 60 days. Because the prohibition is citywide and unconditional, a resident cannot cure a violation with fencing, distance from a property line, or a limit on the number of animals; the only compliant option is not keeping the listed animals inside the city at all. Enforcement is handled through the city's code enforcement process under chapter 26, and each day the animals remain on the property can be charged as a continuing violation exposing the owner to repeated fines.