Boynton Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

City Code Sec. 4-18 flatly states that it is unlawful to keep, harbor, or maintain any exotic or wild animal within the City, in the same sentence that bans horses, cattle, mules, goats, sheep, swine, fowl, poultry, and other livestock citywide. A companion provision, Sec. 4-19, extends the prohibition to letting any such exotic or wild animal, or livestock, run at large on public or private property, and directs police and animal control to impound any animal found running loose. Sec. S. Chapter 828 on top of the City code, and where the two conflict the stricter provision controls, so a resident cannot rely on a county allowance to keep an exotic animal the City bans outright.

Enforcement runs through Sec. 00 surcharge that funds animal control officer training, and the person cited can contest the citation in Palm Beach County Court. 083. An animal seized under this section can also be impounded under Sec. 4-20, which requires the City to hold it at the animal control center for at least 72 hours before transfer, giving an owner a narrow window to contest a wrongful seizure before the animal moves to Palm Beach County's shelter system.