Marion County, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Marion County Code Sec. 4-2 defines a 'high-volume owner' as any person, business, or organization who owns, harbors, or keeps more than fifteen (15) dogs or cats, in aggregate, at a property or structure, for any purpose, including housing, boarding, breeding, training, show or exhibition, hunting, sale, rescue, adoption, or personal pet or use. Veterinary premises, veterinary hospitals, medical research laboratories, pari-mutuel dog racing establishments, and government facilities are excluded from the definition. Sec. 4-29 prohibits acting as a hobby breeder, commercial breeder, or high-volume owner, or otherwise maintaining an animal-related organization or business, without first obtaining the appropriate permit from Marion County Animal Services, and provides that no permit may issue without written confirmation from Marion County Growth Services that the location complies with the Land Development Code.

Applicants must show proof of rabies vaccination for animals three months or older and proof of Marion County licensure for each animal (Sec. 4-29(b)). Marion County requires dogs, cats, and ferrets four months and older to be licensed under Sec. 4-8 and microchipped under Sec. 4-10.