Daytona Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Spay/neuter trigger age
- 6 months
- Unaltered animal permit fee
- $10.00
- Compliance deadline
- within 30 days of eligibility
- Permit condition
- microchip implant required
- Permit term
- renewed annually
- Temporary-stay exemption
- under 120 days per year
Summary
Daytona Beach requires owners to spay or neuter any dog or cat six months or older unless they hold a $10.00 unaltered animal permit. City Code Sec. 14-19 lists narrow exemptions for show, breeding, law enforcement and service animals, and requires microchipping of any dog or cat kept unaltered under a permit.
(a)Purpose. The city has determined that the unintended or uncontrolled breeding of dogs and cats within the city leads to many dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens being unwanted, becoming strays, suffering privation and death, being impounded and euthanized at great expense to the community, and constituting a public nuisance and public health hazard. It is, therefore, declared that every feasible means of reducing the number of unwanted dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens be encouraged.(b)Spaying, neutering of dogs and cats.(1)Requirement. No person may harbor a dog or a cat six months of age or older within the city that has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered animal permit for each unaltered dog or cat, unless the dog or cat is otherwise exempt under this section.(2)Unaltered animal permit. The fee for an unaltered animal permit is $10.00, except that no fee shall be due for active law enforcement and service animals.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 78 | Land Development Code: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Section 14-19 declares that uncontrolled breeding of dogs and cats causes unwanted strays, costly impoundment and euthanasia, and a public nuisance, then imposes a citywide requirement: no person may harbor a dog or cat six months of age or older that has not been spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered animal permit for that specific animal. 104; the owner holds a breeding contract or breed-club membership; or the dog is a working hunting or herding dog. Owners must comply within 30 days of the animal turning six months old, or by September 1, 2011, whichever is later, and within 30 days of acquiring an already-eligible animal.
As a permit condition, the animal must be microchipped, with the microchip number reported to animal control, and the permit must be renewed annually. 15, is exempt.
Violations & Fines
Harboring an unaltered dog or cat six months or older without a valid unaltered animal permit subjects the owner to the enforcement procedures of Chapter 14, including citation and a civil infraction penalty of up to $500.00 under Sec. 14-18. The city may also issue a notice of revocation against a permit holder who violates permit conditions, sent by certified mail or property posting, with ten days to request a hearing before a hearing officer; failing to request a hearing makes the revocation final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spay or neuter my dog in Daytona Beach?
Can I keep my dog unaltered for breeding or showing?
Is microchipping required to keep an unaltered pet?
What if my vet says my pet cannot safely be neutered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Daytona Beach
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Daytona Beach to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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