How North Miami Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide
North Miami maintains 107 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where North Miami falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Animal Hoarding
North Miami addresses animal hoarding through its animal control ordinances, nuisance provisions, and Miami-Dade County animal regulations. There is no specific pet number limit codified, but the accumulation of animals creating unsanitary conditions, neglect, or neighborhood disturbance constitutes a code violation enforceable through the Special Master process.
Key details: Pet Limit: No specific number, but nuisance standards apply. State Law: F.S. 828.12 (animal cruelty). Licensing: All dogs must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated. Enforcement: County Animal Services + Code Enforcement. Animal Services: (305) 884-1101.
Animal hoarding violations may result in animal seizure, criminal animal cruelty charges under F.S. 828.12, code enforcement fines, and mandatory property cleanup. Repeat offenders may face enhanced penalties and court-ordered restrictions on animal ownership.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. North Miami actively enforces its animal hoarding requirements.
Chickens & Livestock
North Miami may allow backyard chickens with limits. Roosters typically banned in residential areas. Livestock requires agricultural zoning. FL right-to-farm law protects ag uses.
Key details: Hens: Typically 4 to 6 allowed. Roosters: Usually prohibited. Livestock: Agricultural zones. Right to Farm: FL §163.3162.
Unauthorized livestock: removal order. Nuisance: $100 to $500. Roosters in prohibited areas: immediate removal.
Wildlife Feeding
North Miami prohibits the intentional feeding of wildlife that creates nuisance conditions. This includes feeding of raccoons, iguanas, feral cats (except through TNR programs), and waterbirds in public areas. The city's proximity to Biscayne Bay and Oleta River State Park makes wildlife interaction management particularly important.
Key details: Alligator/Croc Feeding: Illegal under F.S. 379.105. Feral Cats: TNR programs only. Iguanas: Invasive species, do not feed. FWC Hotline: 888-404-3922. Animal Services: (305) 884-1101.
Wildlife feeding violations may result in code enforcement warnings and fines. Feeding alligators or crocodiles is a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida law with fines up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.
Breed Restrictions
North Miami follows the countywide pit bull ban repeal (October 2023). FL section 767.14 preempts breed-specific legislation statewide. Behavior-based dangerous dog standards now apply uniformly throughout the city.
Key details: Pit Bull Ban: Repealed 2023. State Law: FL section 767.14. Approach: Behavior-based only. Topic: Breed Restrictions.
Dangerous dog violations: misdemeanor to felony depending on severity. Containment failure: $500+. Severe attack: felony charges.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find North Miami gives residents more flexibility on breed restrictions.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping in North Miami is governed by Florida Statute 586, which preempts local governments from prohibiting beekeeping. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates all apiary activities statewide. Beekeepers on non-agricultural properties must follow Best Management Requirements (BMR) for Maintaining European Honey Bee Colonies and execute a Beekeeper Compliance Agreement with FDACS.
Key details: State Preemption: Local bans prohibited (F.S. 586). Registration: Required with FDACS. Compliance Agreement: FDACS Form 08492 required. BMR Required: Yes, for non-agricultural properties. HOA Restrictions: May still apply.
Failure to comply with BMR requirements may result in FDACS revoking the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement and ordering colony removal. Report bee swarm emergencies to North Miami PD at (305) 891-0294 or Miami-Dade Animal Services at 311.
The rules around beekeeping in North Miami lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Exotic Pets
North Miami follows Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations on exotic pet ownership. Florida requires permits for Class I (wildlife posing significant danger), Class II (potentially dangerous), and Class III (low-risk) wildlife. Many exotic species are banned from private ownership, and conditional species require special permits.
Key details: Class I: Prohibited as personal pets. Class II: Requires experience + special caging. Class III: No-cost FWC license required. Invasive Species: Burmese pythons, iguanas banned. Animal Services: (305) 884-1101.
Possession of prohibited wildlife species may result in criminal charges under Florida law, seizure of the animal, and fines up to $500 for first-offense Class III violations and significantly more for Class I/II violations. Escaped exotic animals trigger immediate law enforcement response.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. North Miami actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.
Dog Leash Laws
North Miami requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. Rabies vaccination required statewide under FL §828.30. License per city.
Key details: Leash: Required in public. Off-Leash: Designated parks only. Rabies: FL §828.30 required. Wildlife Risk: Alligators near water.
Off-leash: $50 to $200. At-large: impound fees plus citation. Unlicensed: $50 to $250. Waste: $50 to $500.
The Bottom Line
North Miami's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming North Miami is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from North 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.