St. Lucie County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Restraint standard
- leash or lead, max 6 feet (§ 6-19)
- Exemptions
- hunting dogs, community cats
- Max civil penalty
- $500 plus $5 training surcharge
- At-large hold
- 5 days at animal care facility (§ 6-25)
- Enforcement
- animal control officer citation (§ 6-29)
Summary
St. Lucie County makes it unlawful for any owner to let an animal off the owner's private property unless it is under restraint, defined as secured by a leash or lead no longer than six feet. The rule exempts animals actively hunting and community cats, and violators face a citation and a fine.
Sec. 6-24. Restraint. It shall be unlawful for any owner to permit his animal to be off the owner's private property unless the animal is under restraint as defined herein or unless the animal is actively engaged in the sport of hunting. This section shall not apply to community cats as defined herein. ... Leash or lead means a cord, rope, chain, or similar device which holds an animal under restraint and is not more than six feet in length. Under restraint means any animal secured by a leash or lead.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Land Development Code: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-24 of the county code is short but strict: an owner may not let an animal be off the owner's private property unless it is 'under restraint as defined herein' or actively engaged in the sport of hunting. Section 6-19 defines 'under restraint' as any animal secured by a leash or lead, and defines 'leash or lead' as a cord, rope, chain, or similar device holding the animal under restraint that is no more than six feet long, so a longer line or an unattached tether does not satisfy the rule.
Community cats, as separately defined in the code, are carved out of the restraint requirement entirely. A dog, cat, or livestock picked up running at large under Section 6-25 with no identifiable owner goes to an animal care facility and is held five days before the facility can place it for adoption; longer holds don't apply to a nursing or pregnant animal, which go straight to foster care. 08. 27(4)(b) to fund officer training, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Running at large without restraint is a civil infraction carrying up to a $500 penalty plus a $5 training surcharge, contestable in county court; each day the animal remains unrestrained is a separate offense. A second or third citation under the broader animal chapter can trigger a mandatory court appearance for the owner under Section 6-29(g).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a dog's leash be under St. Lucie County law?
Are there any exceptions to the restraint rule?
What happens to a loose dog with no ID?
What's the fine for violating the leash rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Lucie County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Lucie County 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.