Brevard County, FL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Conditional use permit
- Eligible zoning
- PA, AGR, AU only
- Class I minimum acreage
- 5+ contiguous acres
- Class II minimum acreage
- 2.5+ contiguous acres
- Residence setback
- 300 feet from cage
Summary
Unincorporated Brevard requires a conditional use permit and acreage minimums before anyone may keep Class I or Class II wildlife or venomous reptiles.
Notwithstanding state permitting requirements for captive wildlife, properties that accommodate the possession and maintenance of captive wildlife shall require a conditional use permit... The possession and maintenance of captive wildlife shall only be permitted in the PA, AGR and AU zoning classifications... Facilities for class I animals shall be constructed and maintained on five or more contiguous acres of property owned or leased by the possessor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Brevard County, keeping state-regulated captive wildlife, Class I or Class II species, or poisonous/venomous reptiles under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules, requires a county conditional use permit on top of the state license. The use is confined to PA, AGR, and AU zoning classifications, with a 5-acre minimum for Class I animals and 2.5 acres for Class II, plus a 35-foot perimeter buffer and 300-foot separation from any neighboring residence. This is a zoning restriction, not a blanket ban; small residential lots simply cannot qualify.
Violations & Fines
Keeping captive wildlife without the required conditional use permit or on a non-conforming zoning classification is a code violation, cited and remedied through the county's zoning enforcement process (code enforcement board / special magistrate).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a Class II wild animal on a normal residential lot in unincorporated Brevard?
Does a Florida FWC license alone let me keep exotic wildlife in Brevard County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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