Animal Ordinances in Miami, FL: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Miami or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Miami has 13 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Animal Hoarding

Miami addresses animal hoarding through Chapter 6 of the City Code and Miami-Dade County animal cruelty provisions. Hoarding is defined as collecting animals and failing to provide humane care, resulting in unsanitary or hazardous living conditions.

Key details: State Law: F.S. 828.12, animal cruelty. Penalty: Up to 1 year jail, $5,000 fine. Animal Services: Miami-Dade Animal Services. Animal Seizure: Owner bears cost of care.

Animal hoarding constitutes animal cruelty under Florida Statute 828.12, a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $5,000 fine. Animals are seized and the owner bears costs of care.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Miami actively enforces its animal hoarding requirements.

Wildlife Feeding

Miami restricts the feeding of wildlife including iguanas, raccoons, feral cats, and waterfowl to prevent congregation, property damage, and public health risks. Florida law additionally prohibits feeding certain protected species like manatees and alligators.

Key details: Alligator Feeding: Criminal offense, F.S. 372.667. Feral Cat Policy: Trap-Neuter-Return program. Iguanas: Feeding strongly discouraged. Parks: Wildlife feeding generally prohibited.

Feeding alligators is a criminal offense under Florida law with fines up to $500. Wildlife feeding that creates nuisance conditions results in code enforcement citations for sanitation violations.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Miami-Dade County Code requires sterilization of all owned dogs and cats over six months unless the owner buys an annual unaltered-animal permit and meets breeder standards. The rule applies inside Miami because the city defers to county Animal Services for animal control.

Key details: Authority: Miami-Dade Code Ch. 5. Age trigger: Over 6 months. Unaltered permit: Annual, fee-based. Adoption rule: Sterilized before release. Subsidies: Low-income clinics.

Failure to sterilize without a permit triggers civil fines starting at $100, escalating to $500 per offense, mandatory surgery at owner expense before reclaim, and possible loss of pet ownership privileges for repeat offenders.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Miami actively enforces its mandatory spay/neuter requirements.

Coyote Management

Coyotes are now established across Miami-Dade County. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission classifies coyotes as year-round huntable wildlife on private land. Miami and Miami-Dade prohibit intentional wildlife feeding, which keeps coyotes from habituating to humans.

Key details: Authority: FWC + Miami-Dade Ch. 5. Hunting season: Year-round private land. Feeding ban: Strictly enforced. Translocation: Prohibited. Hazing: Encouraged.

Intentional wildlife feeding can bring civil fines up to $500 per Miami-Dade Code, plus FWC misdemeanor charges under §68A-4.001 with up to 60 days jail and $500 fine, and removal of attractants by code enforcement.

Pet Store Rules

Florida Statute §823.15 sets minimum care and sourcing rules for pet stores and, after a 2023 amendment, preempts local bans on retail dog and cat sales. Miami's earlier puppy-mill ordinance was nullified, leaving only state-level humane sourcing requirements for stores.

Key details: Statute: FL §823.15. Preemption: Since 2023 amendment. Sourcing: USDA-licensed only. Health guarantee: 14 days minimum. Miami add-ons: None permitted.

Pet dealers selling without proper sourcing, veterinary documentation, or required breeder disclosure face civil fines and license suspension under §823.15; consumers may seek refund, replacement, or veterinary cost reimbursement up to the purchase price.

Miami is more permissive than most cities when it comes to pet store rules. That said, there are still limits.

Cat Rules

Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 5 controls all cats inside Miami city limits, requiring rabies vaccination, county license tag, and prohibiting cats from running at large. Trap-Neuter-Return colonies must be registered with Animal Services to receive enforcement protection.

Key details: Authority: Miami-Dade Code Ch. 5. Rabies tag: Required at 4 months. License: Annual or 3-year. TNR: Registered colonies only. Impound fee: $50+ reclaim.

First offense for unlicensed or at-large cats brings a written warning and impound; subsequent offenses bring civil fines up to $500 per animal, mandatory spay/neuter, and possible county Code Enforcement liens.

Microchipping

Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 5 requires every dog or cat adopted from, or reclaimed by, county Animal Services to be microchipped before release. Miami residents follow this county rule. Microchip registration must list the current owner address and phone.

Key details: Authority: Miami-Dade Code Ch. 5. Required at: Adoption or reclaim. Chip type: ISO 15-digit. Free clinics: Periodic events. Stray return: Faster with chip.

Releasing or adopting an unchipped pet, or refusing to microchip a reclaimed animal, results in surgery at owner expense, fines up to $200 per animal, and longer mandatory hold or potential loss of reclaim privileges.

Pet Limits

Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 5 limits residential households to no more than four dogs over four months old without a kennel license, regardless of property size. Cats are limited by nuisance standard rather than fixed count. Miami follows the county rule.

Key details: Authority: Miami-Dade §5-12. Dog limit: 4 over 4 months. Cat limit: Nuisance-based. Kennel license: 5+ requires permit. Fosters: Permit exception.

Exceeding the four-dog limit without a kennel license brings civil fines starting at $200 per dog, removal orders, mandatory rehoming or surrender, and potential code enforcement liens for repeat violations.

Exotic Pets

Exotic pet ownership in Miami is regulated by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission classes and City of Miami Chapter 6. Class I wildlife (large predators) is prohibited for personal use. Class II and III animals require FWC permits and city compliance.

Key details: Class I: Prohibited for personal use. Class II: FWC license required. Class III: No-cost FWC permit needed. City Code: Chapter 6, City of Miami. FWC Hotline: 888-404-3922.

Keeping prohibited Class I wildlife results in animal seizure and criminal charges. Unlicensed Class II animals face FWC fines up to $500 and animal confiscation. Report escaped exotics to FWC at 888-404-3922.

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

Breed Restrictions

No breed restrictions in the City of Miami. The former Miami-Dade pit bull ban was repealed statewide October 1, 2023. FL §767.14 preempts all breed-specific legislation. All dogs regulated by behavior-based standards.

Key details: Breed Bans: None (repealed 2023). State Law: FL §767.14 preempts. Standard: Behavior-based only. HOAs: May still restrict. Dangerous Dogs: FL Chapter 767.

No breed-specific penalties. Dangerous dog violations under FL Chapter 767 based on behavior only.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Miami gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.

Chickens & Livestock

The City of Miami allows up to 15 hens and 30 growing chicks under Chapter 6, Article III. Roosters are prohibited. A county health unit permit is required. Coops must be 100 feet from dwellings.

Key details: Hens: Up to 15 allowed. Chicks: Up to 30. Roosters: Prohibited. Coop Distance: 100 ft from dwellings. Permit: County health unit.

Keeping roosters, exceeding hen limits, or operating without a health permit are code violations. Animal control may confiscate unpermitted animals.

Dog Leash Laws

Dogs in the City of Miami must be leashed when off private property under Miami-Dade County Code Section 5-20. Unsterilized dogs at large: $150 fine. Sterilized: $50. Off-leash allowed only in designated dog parks.

Key details: Leash: Required off private property. Unsterilized: $150 fine. Sterilized: $50 fine. Off-Leash: Dog parks only. Code: §5-20.

Unsterilized dogs: $150 fine. Sterilized: $50. Escalating penalties for repeat offenses: 2.5x second, 3x third, 3.5x subsequent.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping in the City of Miami requires FDACS registration. Hives within 15 feet of property lines need a 6-foot flyway barrier. FDACS has authority to preempt local beekeeping bans except by HOAs.

Key details: Registration: FDACS required. Flyway Barrier: 6 ft if within 15 ft. HOAs: May prohibit. State Preemption: FDACS overrides local. Agreement: May be required.

Unregistered hives violate FDACS rules. Non-compliant barrier placement may trigger complaints.

The Bottom Line

Miami is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 13 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Miami, 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's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.