Sanford, FL Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)

Every prohibition in Sec. 62-67, from trapping and shining lights at animals (Sec. 62-67(a)) to removing eggs or nests (Sec. 62-67(d)) to releasing wild animals in a park (Sec. 62-67(e)), is subject to one carve-out: Sec. 62-67(f) authorizes the city to 'issue permits to allow activities and actions that are otherwise contrary to the provisions of this section if the city determines that the activities and actions will be accomplished for management, scientific or husbandry purposes and are consistent with the public interest.' In practice this is the mechanism a licensed nuisance-wildlife trapper would need before removing a nuisance animal from a city park, that a university or state wildlife agency would need before banding or tagging birds on park property, or that a wildlife rehabilitator would need before releasing a recovered animal at a park site.

The Code does not print a separate application form or fee schedule for this specific permit; instead, Sec. 62-78 gives the city manager general authority to adopt administrative rules implementing the parks article, which is where procedural requirements for a wildlife-management permit would be set. Acting without this permit exposes a person to the same Sec. 62-67 prohibitions and the parks article's general penalty at Sec. 62-79, tied to the Code's citywide general penalty of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, under Sec. 1-7.