Miami Beach's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Miami Beach, Florida, there are 9 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.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping in Miami Beach is governed by Florida Statute 586, which preempts local governments from prohibiting beekeeping on residential property. Beekeepers must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and follow Best Management Requirements for maintaining European honey bee colonies. HOA or deed-restricted communities may impose their own restrictions.

Key details: State Law: Florida Statute 586. Registration: Required with FDACS. Local Preemption: Cities cannot ban beekeeping. HOA Exception: HOAs may still restrict. FDACS Contact: 1-888-397-1517.

FDACS enforces beekeeping compliance through inspections. Unregistered colonies or non-compliant management practices may result in colony removal orders. Report bee-related concerns to FDACS at 1-888-397-1517.

Breed Restrictions

Miami Beach does not run its own dangerous-dog or breed program; City Code Sec. 10-3(e) adopts Article II of Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 5, "Dogs," by reference, putting the county's dangerous-dog declaration and registration rules directly in force inside the city.

Key details: Adopting section: City Code Sec. 10-3(e). Adopted source: Miami-Dade County Code Ch. 5, Art. II. Effect: County dangerous-dog rules apply in-city. Appeal window: 10 days to request hearing. City fine schedule (non-adopted violations): $50 / $100 / $200.

Because Article II of the county code is adopted wholesale, its penalty structure (registration, enclosure, insurance and dangerous-dog fines) applies inside Miami Beach as county law. Miami Beach's own general animal-ordinance fine schedule in Sec. 10-2 ($50 first offense, $100 second, $200 third+) governs city-issued notices of violation outside the adopted county provisions.

Chickens & Livestock

Miami Beach bans keeping any horse, poultry, livestock or farm animal in any zoning district citywide, on any public or private property, with only a city-manager permit exception for temporary events like circuses and shows.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 10-15. Scope: All zoning districts, public and private property. Covered animals: Horses, poultry, livestock, farm animals. Exception: City manager permit for temporary events only. Fourth+ offense penalty: $10,000 + BTR revocation.

First offense: written warning. Second offense within six months: $1,000 fine. Third offense within six months: $5,000 fine. Fourth or subsequent offense within six months: $10,000 fine plus business tax receipt revocation. Fines become recordable liens if unpaid.

This is one of the stricter rules in Miami Beach's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Dog Leash Laws

Miami Beach requires animals off their owner's property to be leashed or in a carrier, with a narrow off-leash exception for supervised dogs in designated park and beach areas during city-manager-set hours, backed by fines up to $1,000.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 10-11. Restraint required: Leash or carrier device. South Pointe Park off-leash window: Sunrise-10am daily; 6-9pm Mon-Fri. North Shore Park off-leash window: 3-7pm Fri-Sun, 80th-82nd St beach. Third+ violation fine: $1,000.

First violation: $250 fine. Second violation within 12 months: $500 fine. Third or subsequent violation within 12 months: $1,000 fine. An unpaid fine outstanding two months after the special magistrate's order can also trigger revocation of the violator's residential parking permits or decals under Sec. 10-2(c).

Pet Limits

Miami Beach caps households at ten domestic animals total, with no more than four dogs among them, though licensed pet stores, kennels and animal hospitals in an allowed zoning district are exempt from the cap.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 10-16. Total domestic animal cap: 10 per premises. Dog sub-limit: 4 dogs per premises. Exemption: Licensed pet stores, kennels, animal hospitals. First-offense fine: $50.

Treated as a general chapter 10 civil infraction: $50 fine for a first offense, $100 for a second offense within 12 months, and $200 for each additional offense within 12 months, per Sec. 10-2(a). A recipient has ten days to pay or request an administrative hearing before it is deemed admitted.

Bird Protection

Miami Beach declares the entire city a bird sanctuary under Sec. 10-6, banning killing, hunting, capturing or molesting any bird anywhere in city limits, along with traps, poisons and nets aimed at birds and the taking of nests or eggs.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 10-6. Coverage: All territory in the city. Prohibited acts: Injure, kill, hunt, capture, molest birds. Nests/eggs: Taking or possessing prohibited. Exception: Police chief permit for state/federal scientific permit holders.

A violation of Sec. 10-6 is enforced as a civil infraction like other chapter 10 offenses: an officer issues a notice of violation, and Sec. 10-2's general fine schedule of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second within 12 months and $200 for each additional offense applies unless the conduct also triggers separate state or federal wildlife penalties.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Miami Beach actively enforces its bird protection requirements.

Exotic Pets

Miami Beach bans keeping any animal or vermin whose natural actions or presence are harmful to public health or perilous to public safety, backed by escalating civil fines up to $10,000 and business tax receipt revocation on a fourth offense.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 10-9. First offense penalty: Written warning. Fourth+ offense penalty: $10,000 fine + BTR revocation. Enforcing agency: Code compliance department. Appeal window: 10 days to request hearing.

First offense: written warning. Second offense within six months: $1,000 civil fine. Third offense within six months: $5,000 civil fine. Fourth or subsequent offense within six months: $10,000 civil fine and revocation of the business tax receipt. Unpaid fines become a lien enforceable like a court judgment.

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

Pet Store Rules

Since December 31, 2014, Miami Beach pet dealers and pet shops cannot sell dogs or cats unless the animal is certified as coming from an animal rescue organization or a public animal shelter, cutting off retail sourcing from breeders or brokers.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 10-18. Effective date: December 31, 2014. Permitted sources: Rescue organization or public shelter only. First-violation fine: $250 per day, per animal. Subsequent-violation fine: $500 per day, per animal.

$250 per day per dog or cat for a first violation within a 12-month period, and $500 per day per animal for any subsequent violation within that 12-month period, enforced by the Miami Beach Police Department under Sec. 10-18(d).

Compared to other cities, Miami Beach takes a harder line on pet store rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Cat Rules

Miami Beach City Code Sec. 10-22 makes it a civil infraction to interfere with trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) work on community cats. It is unlawful to disrupt an active trapping operation with food or attractants, tamper with a set humane trap, relocate or abandon a community cat to frustrate a TNVR program, or harass a caretaker performing TNVR duties.

Key details: Adopted: Ord. No. 2026-4807, eff. 3-28-26. First offense fine: $50. Second offense (12 mo): $100. Additional offenses: $200. Covers: feeding, trap tampering, harassment, indirect encouragement.

A violation of Sec. 10-22 is a civil infraction punished under the citywide animal-control fine schedule in Sec. 10-2: $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense within 12 months, and $200 for each additional offense within that 12-month window. Each act of interference is a separate offense, and unpaid fines can become a lien against the violator's property.

The Bottom Line

Miami Beach is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 9 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Miami Beach, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Miami Beach's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.