Port St. Lucie, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Total pet cap
- Five in residential zoning districts
- Zoning section
- Sec. 158.229 (Domestic Animal Restrictions)
- Unsterilized cap
- Three over six months (Sec. 92.18)
- Potbellied pigs
- Restricted to one
- Counted animals
- Dogs, cats, miniature Vietnamese potbellied pigs
Summary
Two sections govern. Zoning Code Sec. 158.229 caps domestic animals at five in residential zoning districts, with Vietnamese potbellied pigs restricted to one. Sec. 92.18 separately limits unsterilized domestic pets over six months to three.
Sec. 92.18. Number of animals. It shall be unlawful to own, harbor, or keep more than three (3) unsterilized domestic pets over the age of 6 months or any combination thereof in a residential zoning district. Anyone found guilty of hoarding animals in violation of 92.24 is prohibited from owning, harboring, or keeping more than three (3) domestic pets and is required to sterilize all domestic pets in the household in which they reside. A person may own, harbor, or keep more than three (3) but no more than five (5) unsterilized domestic pets or any combination thereof in a residential zoning district if one of the following exemptions apply: (a) All unsterilized domestic pets are registered with a national or international club, association, or registry recognized by the Animal Control Division, and the owner certifies in writing to the Division that the animals are being used, trained, or considered for use in show(s), sporting competition(s), or other similar competitive event(s)... (c) The unsterilized domestic pets are 6 months of age or younger.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 158.229 sets the outer number: domestic animals are restricted to five within residential zoning districts, and Vietnamese potbellied pigs to one. Inside that, Sec. 92.18 makes it unlawful to keep more than three unsterilized domestic pets over six months of age in a residential zoning district. You may go up to five unsterilized pets only under one of three exemptions: all are registered with a recognized national or international club and certified in writing as show or competition animals, a Florida-licensed veterinarian certifies one or more is medically unfit for spay or neuter, or the pets are six months of age or younger. Sec. 92.01 defines domestic pet as dogs, cats and miniature Vietnamese potbellied pigs.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 92.99 treats a Chapter 92 breach as a non-criminal infraction: $50.00 first offense, $100.00 second, $200.00 and a mandatory court appearance for a third, plus a $5.00 surcharge on every civil penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs and cats can I have in Port St. Lucie?
Can I keep more than three intact dogs for breeding or shows?
Do puppies and kittens count toward the limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Port St. Lucie
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Port St. Lucie to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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