Broward County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 4-3, Broward County Code
- Max civil penalty
- $500 per violation
- Enforcing agency
- Broward County Animal Care Division
- Scope
- Countywide, incorporated and unincorporated areas
- First offense
- One-time warning notice allowed
Summary
Broward County bans dogs from roaming loose on any public street, sidewalk, park, or private property without the owner's consent; on public property dogs must stay under the owner's direct physical control at all times.
(b)No dog shall be allowed to stray, run, or go at large upon any public property or street, sidewalk, park, or on the private property of another without the consent of the property owner. ... (e)In order for a dog to be allowed on a public street, road, park, or other public property, unless otherwise specifically permitted, the dog shall be under the direct physical control of the owner or keeper, except while hunting, pursuant to a permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 4-3 of the Broward County Animal Care Ordinance, no dog may stray, run, or go at large on public property or on another person's private property without consent. On streets, roads, or parks, a dog must be under the owner's direct physical control unless it is hunting under permit, working livestock, or participating in a supervised training, show, or educational event. Animal Care officers may capture an at-large dog and impound it, and the owner of a dog that bites or attacks while at large is separately in violation. The rule applies countywide -- municipalities may add stricter local rules on top of it, but pay their own enforcement costs for doing so (Sec. 4-28(j)).
Violations & Fines
A first violation of Sec. 4-3 may draw a one-time warning; after that, Animal Care officers issue a citation carrying a civil penalty up to $500 per infraction, plus a surcharge (Sec. 4-28, 4-29).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Broward County require dogs to be on a leash?
Does this leash law apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
What happens if my at-large dog bites someone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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