Miami-Dade County, FL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 5-3 of the Miami-Dade County Code makes it unlawful to possess, maintain, or have custody of any wild animal, bird, freshwater organism, marine life, fur-bearing animal, or reptile without first complying with Chapter 372, Florida Statutes and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission licensing rules: the county piggybacks its own possession ban onto the state's exotic-wildlife permit system rather than running a separate one. Miami-Dade Animal Services enforces the chapter countywide, in both the incorporated municipalities and unincorporated UMSA. A related clause in the same section bars breeding, selling, or buying any wolf-hybrid that is 50% or less domestic dog anywhere in the county, regardless of FWC status.