Citrus County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- streets, sidewalks, parks, private property
- Dog leash rule
- required on all public property
- Owner liability
- pays all impound/care costs
- Max penalty
- $500 per day, civil infraction
- Applies to
- county-wide, including cities absent conflict
Summary
Citrus County bans letting any animal run at large on public streets, sidewalks, parks or someone else's private property, and specifically requires a dog on public property to be on a leash held by someone strong enough to control it. Citrus County Code Section 14-40 applies countywide, including inside Crystal River and Inverness where no conflicting city ordinance exists, unlike most county chapters that stop at the city line.
(a)No person owning, keeping or having possession, charge, custody or control of any animal shall cause or permit the animal to stray, run, or in any other manner be at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk, park or on private property of another without the express consent of the owner of such private property within the county. A violation of this section shall be punishable as provided for in this article.(b)In order for a dog to be allowed on publicly owned streets, roads or other publicly owned property, the dog shall be restrained by a person of sufficient strength to control the animal, and by a suitable leash of dependable strength and a reasonable length.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 76).
Full Breakdown
" An owner whose animal is found at large is responsible for all county costs of impounding and caring for it, whether or not the owner ever reclaims the animal, under Section 14-40(c). Section 14-40(d) also authorizes an officer to euthanize an at-large animal that is so badly injured or diseased it appears near death, cannot be cured, and cannot be matched with a locatable owner, agent or veterinarian, though if only a veterinarian can be found, the officer may act only on that veterinarian's advice.
Per Section 14-63, this animal control article applies not only in unincorporated Citrus County but also inside Crystal River and Inverness wherever no conflicting local ordinance exists.
Violations & Fines
A Section 14-40 at-large or leash violation is a civil infraction under Section 14-60, carrying a fine of up to $500.00, with each day the violation continues charged as a separate offense, plus a mandatory $5.00 per-citation surcharge that funds officer training. An officer may issue a correctable written warning first, giving up to 30 days to fix the violation, except for dangerous-dog violations under Section 14-45.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need to be on a leash in a Citrus County park?
What if my dog gets loose and wanders onto a neighbor's yard?
Am I responsible for shelter costs if my loose dog is impounded?
Does the leash law apply inside Inverness or Crystal River?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Citrus County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Citrus County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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