Tallahassee, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Numerical cap
- None stated; care capacity governs
- Governing section
- § 4-10(c), Animal nuisances
- Odor and vermin
- Treated as a public nuisance
- Animal care fines
- $350 first, $500 thereafter
- Repeat cases
- Injunction may remove animals
Summary
Tallahassee names no number cap, but section 4-10(c) forbids keeping more animals at your property than can be properly maintained in a healthy condition. Odor, flies and vermin from animals are separately a public nuisance.
828.12 Cruelty to animals. - (1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, commits animal cruelty, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal, or a person who owns or has the custody or control of any animal and fails to act, which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, commits aggravated animal cru
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Section 4-10(c) is the operative rule: no person shall keep at his or her property more animals than can be properly maintained in a healthy condition. Section 4-10(b)(4) adds that keeping animals in a way that causes unreasonable annoyance to neighbors, such as odor or the attraction of flies, insects or vermin, is a public nuisance. Section 4-7 requires water, wholesome food, proper shelter, veterinary care, grooming and parasite control for every animal. Animal control officers may impound any animal that is a victim of cruelty or is not being maintained to those care standards, or issue a warning notice or citation instead.
Violations & Fines
Animal citations run $50, then $100, then $250, capped at $500 per violation; violations of section 4-7 animal care start at $350 and rise to $500. Animals may be impounded or ordered removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many animals can I legally own in Tallahassee?
What happens if animal control seizes my animals for hoarding?
Can the city force me to give up animals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tallahassee
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tallahassee to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.