Coral Springs's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Coral Springs, Florida, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Wildlife Feeding

Coral Springs bans feeding raccoons, foxes, opossums, ducks, and other wild animals under City Code § 4-20, and the ban extends to stray or feral cats. Leaving foodstuffs on the ground that draw two or more animals to congregate or develop a feeding routine is also prohibited. The one exception: wild bird feeders on private property stay legal.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 4-20. First-offense fine: $50 minimum civil penalty. Repeat fines: Up to $500 by fourth violation. Exception: Wild bird feeders on private property allowed. Covers: Raccoons, foxes, opossums, ducks, feral/stray cats.

A first violation of Section 4-20 carries a minimum civil penalty of $50 under Section 1-8.1(d)(23), payable without a court date if paid within 20 business days. Repeat offenses escalate under the Section 1-8.1(e) fine schedule to $100 for a second violation, $200 for a third, and $100 to $500 for a fourth or subsequent violation within the same period.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Coral Springs actively enforces its wildlife feeding requirements.

Pet Store Rules

Coral Springs bans pet stores from selling or transferring dogs and cats under City Code § 4-28, effectively converting retail outlets to adoption-only. The rule targets puppy and kitten mills by cutting off the commercial supply chain, with narrow exemptions for animal shelters, rescue organizations, and hobby breeders who sell directly.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 4-28. Fine: $500 minimum civil penalty. Adopted: Ordinance No. 2015-116, September 2, 2015. Exempt sellers: Shelters, rescues, hobby breeders (1 litter/year). Requirement: Certificate of source posted at each cage.

Violating Section 4-28 carries a minimum civil penalty of $500, the highest flat fine listed in the city's Section 1-8.1(d) schedule, reflecting the ordinance's puppy-mill target. Falsifying a certificate of source is a separate, independently punishable violation under subsection (4)(b). Citations are enforced under Section 1-8.1 as civil infractions before a special magistrate or the clerk of court.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Coral Springs actively enforces its pet store rules requirements.

Exotic Pets

Coral Springs bars releasing or keeping wild, untamed, non-native or rabies-risk animals under City Code § 4-2(a), and separately makes it unlawful to own, keep, or breed any wolf-dog or other canis/felis wildlife hybrid under § 4-21. Violators face confiscation and civil fines up to $500 per offense.

Key details: Wild/untamed animals as pets: Prohibited citywide, § 4-2(a). Wildlife hybrids (wolf-dog, etc.): Prohibited, § 4-21(a). Grandfathered hybrids: Need current state permit. Non-exempt hybrid animals: Treated as contraband. Wildlife hybrid fine: $250 minimum, up to $500.

Keeping a restricted wild animal is a civil infraction with a $50 minimum penalty under § 4-2 and § 1-8.1(d)(2). Owning or breeding a wildlife hybrid under § 4-21(a) carries a steeper $250 minimum civil penalty under § 1-8.1(d)(24), rising to $500 for repeat violations under § 1-8.1(e)(3), and non-exempt hybrids are confiscated as contraband and surrendered to Broward County Animal Control.

Compared to other cities, Coral Springs takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Pet Limits

Coral Springs caps most households at three dogs and three cats under City Code § 4-2(b), not counting puppies or kittens under four months old. Only properties in RS-1 zoning districts sit outside the cap, and any animal kept for breeding elsewhere must live primarily inside the home.

Key details: Dog limit per residence: 3 dogs (outside RS-1). Cat limit per residence: 3 cats (outside RS-1). Puppies/kittens exempt: Under 4 months old. Exempt zoning district: RS-1. First offense fine: $50 minimum civil penalty.

Keeping more than three dogs and three cats outside RS-1 zoning is a civil infraction under § 4-2(b), enforceable by a code compliance officer. The minimum civil penalty is $50 for a first offense under § 1-8.1(d)(2), rising to $100 for a second violation, $200 for a third, and up to $500 for a fourth or subsequent violation under § 1-8.1(e)(2).

Dog Leash Laws

Coral Springs requires every dog to be on a leash no longer than ten feet, with the handler keeping control of it at all times in public and on other people's property, under City Code § 4-7(a). The rule doesn't apply on privately owned A-1 zoned land.

Key details: Maximum leash length: 10 feet. Applies: Public streets, places, others' property. Zoning exemption: Privately owned A-1 land. First offense fine: $50 minimum civil penalty. At-large dogs: Can be seized and impounded.

Failing to keep a dog on a leash of ten feet or less, or losing control of it in public, is a civil infraction under § 4-7(a). A first offense carries a $50 minimum civil penalty under § 1-8.1(d)(9), rising to $100, $200, and up to $500 for repeat violations under § 1-8.1(e)(2). An officer can also seize and impound a dog found at large under § 4-5(e).

Breed Restrictions

Coral Springs doesn't ban dogs by breed; instead, City Code § 4-18 lets the police department classify any individual dog as vicious after investigating a reported incident, triggering mandatory registration, microchipping and confinement requirements within 14 days.

Key details: Classification basis: Individual dog, not breed. Registration deadline: 14 days after classification. Appeal window: 7 days to request hearing. Confinement requirement: Secure enclosure or muzzle/leash. First offense fine: $250 minimum civil penalty.

A first violation of § 4-18's vicious dog requirements carries a minimum civil penalty of $250 under § 1-8.1(d)(21), rising under § 1-8.1(e)(3) to $300 for a second offense, $400 for a third, and up to $500 for a fourth or later violation. Beyond fines, an unregistered or improperly confined vicious dog can be confiscated, quarantined and humanely destroyed after written notice.

Compared to other cities, Coral Springs takes a harder line on breed restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping in Coral Springs is governed by Florida Statute 586 which preempts local regulation of managed bee colonies. The state requires registration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Local nuisance ordinances may still apply if bees cause public safety concerns.

Key details: State Law: F.S. 586, FDACS regulated. Registration: Required with FDACS. Equipment: Movable-frame hives only. Local Restrictions: Nuisance rules may apply.

Unregistered hives violate state law and may be subject to FDACS enforcement action. Local nuisance complaints may result in code compliance action with civil penalties up to $500. Neglected colonies creating a public hazard may be ordered removed.

Chickens & Livestock

Coral Springs bans horses, goats, hogs, chickens, ducks, geese and other livestock or fowl as pets citywide except in RS-1 zoned districts under City Code § 4-2(c). Anyone cited gets 72 hours to remove the animals before daily fines start accruing under § 4-2(d).

Key details: Livestock as pets: Banned citywide except RS-1. Banned species named: Horses, goats, hogs, chickens, ducks, geese. Removal window after citation: 72 hours (3 days). First offense fine: $50 minimum civil penalty. Repeat offense fine: Up to $500.

A code compliance officer can cite any restricted-animal violation as a civil infraction; § 4-2 carries a minimum $50 fine for a first offense under § 1-8.1(d)(2), climbing to $100, then $200, then up to $500 for repeat violations under § 1-8.1(e)(2). Owners get 72 hours to remove the animals once cited; each additional day past that deadline can draw a separate daily fine under § 4-2(d).

Compared to other cities, Coral Springs takes a harder line on chickens & livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Coral Springs is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Coral Springs, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Coral Springs can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.