Pompano Beach, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Household cap
- 4 dogs or 4 cats (combined)
- Enhanced tier
- 8+ animals triggers higher fines
- Litter grace period
- Up to 5 months from birth
- First offense fine
- $100
- Exempt
- Licensed pet shops, kennels, vet hospitals
Summary
Pompano Beach caps households at four dogs or four cats, or four in combination, under City Code § 90.18. The city treats an unlimited pet count as a public nuisance affecting health, safety and quality of life citywide.
It shall be deemed a violation of this section for any person to keep more than four dogs or four cats, or any combination thereof exceeding a total of four animals, at any location within the city, with the exception that a litter of pups or a litter of kittens, or a portion of a litter, may be kept for a period of time not exceeding five months from birth. One hundred dollars first offense, second offense $250.00 and the third a mandatory court appearance. Anyone with eight or more dogs or cats or any combination thereof, in violation of this section, shall be subject to enhanced penalties of $500.00 for a first offense or second offense, and for a third offense mandatory court appearance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-122: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 2026-35, passed 7-29-26).
Full Breakdown
18 declares that keeping an unlimited number of dogs and cats in the city is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of residents and is a public nuisance. Subsection (A) makes it a violation to keep more than four dogs or four cats, or any combination exceeding a total of four animals, at any single location in the city. A litter of pups or kittens, or part of a litter, is allowed to stay past that cap for up to five months from birth so a mother and litter are not immediately in violation.
Subsection (B) creates an enhanced tier: anyone with eight or more dogs or cats, or a combination of the two, faces steeper fines than a household that is only modestly over the four-animal cap. Subsection (C) exempts licensed pet shops, boarding kennels and veterinary hospitals that hold a city business tax receipt and conform to the zoning code, as well as Animal Control-authorized foster care providers, so long as their location has not generated a substantiated ordinance complaint. The ordinance was adopted by Ord. 2000-63 in 2000 and amended by Ord. 2007-57 in 2007.
Violations & Fines
A first offense under § 90.18(A) carries a $100 fine, a second offense $250, and a third offense requires a mandatory court appearance rather than a further fine. Households with eight or more animals face the enhanced schedule under (B): $500 for a first or second offense and mandatory court appearance on a third. Penalties are cited under § 90.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pets can I legally keep in Pompano Beach?
What happens if I have more than eight dogs or cats?
Are kennels or pet shops exempt from the four-animal cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pompano Beach
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pompano Beach to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle pet limits.