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

Section 14-12 of the City Code works by exclusion: subsection (b) makes it a violation for an owner or occupant of residential property to keep any animal that does not belong to a species listed in the section, so exotic and wild animals not named in the ordinance are effectively barred from houses and residential lots inside city limits. Subsection (c) sets the allowed species and caps: up to four adult dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs or ferrets combined; up to four adult house geckos, iguanas or birds of the psittaciforme order (parrots, macaws, cockatoos); and an unlimited number of gerbils, hamsters, mice, birds of the passeriforme order, and aquarium fish, amphibians or reptiles, provided cage or aquarium volume stays under 40 cubic feet for rodents and 120 cubic feet for passeriforme birds.

Subsection (d) exempts licensed kennels, wildlife rehabilitation centers and shelter facilities that comply with the Land Development Code and any required special permit. 13 on nonresidential property, and subsection (f) allows horses only on rural residential zoned property, both subject to Land Development Code compliance and any special permit or special exception. The animal control authority enforces the chapter and may issue citations under Sec. 14-17.