Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 5 caps the number of dogs and cats that may be kept at a residence in unincorporated areas, with stricter limits for multifamily dwellings and a hobby-kennel permit option for owners exceeding the threshold.
In unincorporated Miami-Dade, single-family homes generally may keep up to four dogs and four cats over four months old without a kennel license. Multifamily units and condos face lower limits set by zoning and association rules. Owners who want to keep more animals must apply for a hobby-kennel or commercial-kennel permit, which triggers inspections by Animal Services and zoning compliance through Chapter 33. Foster homes registered with approved 501(c)(3) rescues can request waivers. Repeated nuisance complaints can prompt the county to revoke kennel privileges and require rehoming.
Exceeding pet limits without a kennel permit triggers Chapter 8CC civil penalties starting at $100 per violation, daily accruing fines, and possible removal of animals after compliance hearings.
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See how Miami-Dade County's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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