Brevard County, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- One month after 2019 adoption
- Record retention
- 3 years per animal source
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under F.S. § 125.69
- Grace period
- 12 months for existing licensees
- Scope
- Countywide; municipal code controls conflicts
Summary
Brevard County bans pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats, requiring animals instead come from shelters, rescues, hobby breeders, or USDA-licensed breeders under an adoption-based model.
No pet store shall offer dogs or cats for sale in the county, unless the dog or cat was obtained directly from an animal shelter, animal rescue organization, hobby breeder, or United States Department of Agriculture licensed commercial breeder.(2)Any dog or cat offered for sale in the county must be accompanied by an official certificate of veterinary inspection issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian. Upon sale, a copy of the certificate must be given to the buyer and the seller must retain one copy of the certificate for at least one year after the date of sale.(3)Pet stores shall maintain records that include the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the animal shelter, animal rescue organization, hobby breeder, or United States Department of Agriculture licensed commercial breeders, from which each dog or cat was acquired for three years following the date of acquisition from the animal shelter, animal rescue organization, hobby breeder, or United States Department of Agriculture licensed commercial breeders. Pet stores shall post in a conspicuous location the following information if an animal is from a commercial breeder:a.Breed;b.Unique animal identification number;c.City and state of origin;d.United States Department of Agriculture licensee's certificate number. The posting requirements apply regardless of the animal's place of origin. Hobby breeder information shall be given to owner if requested at purchase.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Brevard County Code § 14-64 prohibits pet stores from offering dogs or cats for sale unless obtained directly from an animal shelter, animal rescue organization, hobby breeder, or a USDA-licensed commercial breeder: effectively banning puppy-mill sourced animals. Each animal must carry an official certificate of veterinary inspection, and stores must keep source records for three years, posting breed, ID number, and origin for commercially bred animals. The rule applies countywide, but a municipality's own ordinance controls within its limits where it conflicts. It took effect one month after adoption under Ord. No. 2019-07, with a 12-month grace period for existing license holders.
Violations & Fines
Violating the sourcing, inspection, or recordkeeping rules is prosecutable as a misdemeanor under F.S. § 125.69, with each animal sold or kept in violation counted as a separate daily offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet store in Brevard County sell puppies from a breeder?
Does this rule apply in Melbourne or Palm Bay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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