Martin County, FL Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 9.90.A of the Martin County Code of Ordinances states the core restraint rule: 'it shall be presumed to be unlawful for the owner of any animal to permit his/or her animal to be off the owner's property unless the animal is under restraint or control of a competent person by means of a chain, leash, or other similar device, or is in a secure cage or other secure enclosure.' The exemption is narrow: it covers only working dogs and hunting dogs actively working or hunting on land zoned for agricultural use or otherwise authorized for hunting under state law, that remain under their handler's direct and immediate voice control and stay responsive to commands.

The restraint rule connects directly to the chapter's licensing and impoundment scheme. An animal off its owner's property without a leash or enclosure is treated as 'at large,' and section 9.34.A allows the designated impoundment facility to take ownership of a stray lacking a current license tag or micro-chip if unredeemed after five consecutive nights. Section 9.90.B separately bars animals, other than service animals defined under F.S. § 413.08 or law-enforcement animals, from County parks, athletic fields, and facilities during County-sponsored activities unless the activity specifically involves animals and the Parks and Recreation Department has approved it in writing.

An Animal Services Officer or any law enforcement officer with probable cause of a leash-law violation may issue a citation under section 9.63.A, and each day the violation continues is treated as a separate offense. Officers may enter public or private property, though not a dwelling or fenced enclosure, to demand that an animal or its tag be exhibited, per section 9.63.G.