Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulates exotic and captive wildlife statewide. Possession of Class I, II, and III wildlife requires FWC permits, and state law preempts most local exotic animal regulations.
Chapter 379, Florida Statutes, and FWC rules in Chapter 68A-6, F.A.C., govern possession of nonnative and captive wildlife. Class I species (lions, tigers, bears, chimps) generally cannot be kept as personal pets. Class II species (cougars, alligators, monkeys) require permits, experience hours, and caging standards. Class III (most other exotics) require a no-cost permit. As of 2021, Burmese pythons, green iguanas, tegus, and other reptiles of concern face strict possession bans. Local governments cannot issue conflicting wildlife rules.
Possessing Class I or prohibited species without authorization is a third-degree felony. Class II and III violations are typically second-degree misdemeanors with fines up to $500 and animal seizure.
Polk County, FL
Polk County Code of Ordinances Chapter 10.5, Article IV (Noise Disturbance), adopted via Ord. 14-030, restricts unreasonable noise. Construction noise is per...
Polk County, FL
Under the Polk County Land Development Code, residential fences up to eight feet are generally allowed without special review. Solid fences over eight feet r...
Polk County, FL
Polk County Code of Ordinances Chapter 7, Article IV (Section 7-65) generally prohibits the sale, retail offering, use, or explosion of fireworks within the ...
Polk County, FL
Polk County applies its standard residential parking standards to short-term rentals because Fla. Stat. 509.032(7)(b) preempts STR-specific parking rules. Gu...
Polk County, FL
Polk County does not impose its own occupancy cap on short-term rentals because Fla. Stat. 509.032(7)(b) preempts local STR-specific occupancy rules adopted ...
Polk County, FL
Polk County levies a 5% Tourist Development Tax on rentals of 6 months or less. Combined with Florida's 6% state sales tax and Polk's 1% discretionary surtax...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Polk County.
See how Winter Haven's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.