Palm Beach County, FL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval required
- Class A Conditional Use (BCC hearing)
- Minimum lot size
- Five acres
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
- Animal classes
- FWC Class 1 and 2 wildlife
Summary
In unincorporated Palm Beach County, keeping a dangerous or FWC Class 1 or 2 animal requires Board of County Commissioners approval as a Class A Conditional Use and a five-acre minimum lot: you can't just keep one as a household pet.
Dangerous or Class 1 and 2 Animals Ownership, care, or keeping of dangerous or Class 1 and 2 animals, as defined by the FWC, shall require Class A Conditional Use approval and shall have a minimum lot size of five acres. [Ord. 2023-009] f. Livestock Raising The breeding, raising, and caring for horses, poultry, and livestock. [Ord. 2023-009] 1) Residential Zoning Districts a) Lot Size A minimum of one acre. [Ord. 2023-009] g. Agritourism Refer to F.S. § 570.85-§ 87 for applicability. [Ord. 2019-034] h. Accessory Agricultural Uses These uses include “U-Pick-Em” operations; sale of on-site produced products; corrals; pens; training facilities; dipping vats; processing of raw material; storage sheds; repair, fabrication, body work, and welding of agricultural equipment; freestanding coolers; bulk storage of petroleum products; shipping containers used for temporary storage; washing, cutting, and packing of farm products; canning, dehydration, and basic preparation of raw food products prior to shipment; and, outdoor storage of equipment.
Unified Land Development Code Supplement No. 32 (Printed 10/25)
Full Breakdown
The county's Unified Land Development Code treats dangerous animals and FWC-designated Class 1 and Class 2 wildlife as an agricultural land use, not a household pet. Ownership, care, or keeping of a dangerous or Class 1 or 2 animal requires Class A Conditional Use approval from the Board of County Commissioners and a minimum lot size of five acres. Ordinary exotic animals kept for private or commercial breeding also need at least five acres, without the conditional-use hearing. The rule applies only in unincorporated Palm Beach County. Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Jupiter set their own animal rules inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a dangerous or Class 1/2 animal without Class A Conditional Use approval, or on less than five acres, is a zoning code violation. PZB code enforcement can cite the property and require the animal's removal or a stop-use order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a tiger or venomous snake as a pet in unincorporated Palm Beach County?
Does this rule apply inside Boca Raton or West Palm Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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