Jacksonville Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Chapter 5 of the Jacksonville Beach Code defines the microchip in Sec. 5-2 as a radio frequency identification device, or RFID, about the size of a grain of rice, encased in surgical glass and implanted under the skin of a dog, cat, or other animal. When scanned it produces a unique number that identifies the animal and its owner, if the chip is properly registered. The code then puts that device to work in two ways. The definition of owner presumes that the person whose name appears on the animal's registration or on its RFID is the owner, and the presumption is rebuttable, so a contrary showing can defeat it. The RFID definition adds that a chip carrying registration information is the primary indication of ownership. Registration matters as much as implantation, because the chip identifies an owner only if it is properly registered.

The same definition sets the age of ownership at 18. A person must be 18 or older to be the legal owner, and when a younger person is the custodian or caretaker, the parents or legal guardians count as the owner and answer for all matters involving the animal.

Chips also matter in the impoundment rules. Under Sec. 5-46(4), animal control is not required to shelter or care for an animal that is severely injured, has a contagious disease, or is deemed a danger to the community or an undue risk to its employees, unless the animal has a currently registered microchip or ownership information in the form of a private identification tag. Animals that meet those criteria and lack positive, traceable identification are to be expeditiously and humanely euthanized. Related sections tie redemption and surrender to proof: Sec. 5-47 requires proof of ownership before an animal can be surrendered, and Sec. 5-48(6) requires dogs, cats, and ferrets four months of age or older to have current rabies vaccinations and proper tags to be redeemed.

No section of Chapter 5 requires an owner to implant a chip.