Highlands County, FL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed zoning
- AU agricultural or B-3/B-4 business only
- Minimum lot size
- 5 acres; 20 acres for large crocodilians
- Permits required
- State, federal permits plus county special exception
- Snake size trigger
- Nonpoisonous snakes over 96 inches banned
- Crocodilian size trigger
- Over 36 inches banned outside AU/B-3/B-4
Summary
Unincorporated Highlands County bars keeping non-domestic carnivores, poisonous arachnids and reptiles, crocodilians over 36 inches, large nonpoisonous snakes and state-classified Class I/II wildlife anywhere outside AU agricultural or B-3/B-4 business zoning. Owners there still need state and federal permits plus a county special exception before Development Services will allow the animals.
B.It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any of the following animals regardless of number on any lot or premises within the limits of Highlands County, Florida, unless it is zoned for agricultural purposes in the AU agricultural district or is in the B-3 business district or the B-4 business district, all necessary state and federal permits are obtained, a special exception is approved pursuant to the standards and requirements of section 12.03.205.C., and the standards of subsections C., D., and E. of this section are satisfied:1.Carnivores (order Carnivora) other than domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and domestic cats (Felis catus). ... 4.Crocodilians exceeding 36 inches in length.5.Nonpoisonous snakes exceeding 96 inches in length.6.Except as exempted in subsection F. of this section, any other poisonous or venomous Class I or Class II wildlife so classified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ... which require permits for their possession or exhibition as specified in F.S. Ch. 372. ... D.The property upon which one or more animals is located must be at least five acres in area for the animals listed above in subsection B.
Full Breakdown
316(B) prohibits keeping or maintaining, in any number, carnivores other than domestic dogs and cats, poisonous arachnids, poisonous reptiles, crocodilians over 36 inches long, nonpoisonous snakes over 96 inches long, and any other poisonous or venomous Class I or Class II wildlife classified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, unless the property sits in the AU agricultural district or the B-3 or B-4 business district. 316(C) through (E), which require the special exception application to specify the number and type of animals and the security measures protecting neighbors.
200(F)(8). The section exempts licensed vocational agricultural schools, businesses licensed for animal care, certain Class I wildlife used for food and agriculture such as ostriches, domesticated animals with the required state permits, permitted temporary zoos, circuses and performing-animal exhibitions, and licensed animal rehabilitation centers on at least five acres that charge no fees. Outside those carve-outs and the AU/B-3/B-4 zoning and permitting path, keeping any listed exotic or dangerous animal anywhere in unincorporated Highlands County is a Land Development Regulations violation.
Violations & Fines
Violations of § 12.05.316(B) are enforced as Land Development Regulations breaches under Article 18: a code enforcement officer notifies the owner and sets a correction period, and unresolved cases proceed to the county's code enforcement special magistrate, which can order the animal removed from the property and impose a fine of up to $500 per violation under § 2-382, with each day of continued noncompliance treated as an additional violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a large snake or venomous reptile at my Highlands County home?
How big does the property need to be to keep these animals?
Are any exotic animals exempt from this rule?
What can code enforcement do if I keep a prohibited animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highlands County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Highlands County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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