Santa Rosa County, FL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Exotic and wild animals are regulated by the state, not by Santa Rosa County's animal ordinance, which defines 'animal' as only canines and felines, excluding species classified by Florida wildlife authorities as wildlife. Florida's FWC sorts captive wildlife into Class I (most dangerous, e.g. big cats, great apes, largely barred as pets), Class II (e.g. certain primates, wolves), and Class III (all other wildlife, e.g. many reptiles, small mammals, exotic birds). Many species require an FWC permit or license to possess, and venomous reptiles and reptiles of concern require a separate license under FS 379.372. Verify a species' class and permit requirements with FWC before acquiring it.