Animal Ordinances in Boca Raton, FL (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Boca Raton, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Boca Raton outright bans keeping chickens, turkeys, geese and other livestock or fowl anywhere within city limits, with a single narrow exception for horses and ponies kept on the premises of a duly licensed riding academy. There is no residential backyard exception.
Boca Raton Livestock and Fowl Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBoca Raton, FL Code of Ordinances § 5-1
It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor or maintain within the city limits any horses, mules, sheep, cattle, hogs, goats, geese, turkeys, chickens or other livestock or fowl; except that horses and ponies may be kept by a duly licensed riding academy on the premises of such academy.
Dog Leash Laws
Boca Raton declares any dog or cat found running "at large," off the owner's property and unrestrained by leash, cord or chain, a public nuisance. Owners face escalating fines starting at $25 for a first offense regardless of whether they knew the pet had escaped.
Boca Raton Dog and Cat At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsBoca Raton, FL Code of Ordinances § 5-32
Any dog or cat found running at large within the city limits is declared to be a public nuisance. The owner of any dog or cat found running at large shall be guilty of a violation and shall be punished as provided in section 5-42. In any prosecution brought under this section, it shall not be necessary for the city to allege or prove knowledge or neglect on the part of any accused person.
Breed Restrictions
Boca Raton does not have breed-specific legislation banning particular dog breeds. Florida state law (F.S. 767.14) prohibits local governments from enacting breed-specific regulations.
Boca Raton Dog Breed Restrictions & Dangerous Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. Sec. 767.14 (Additional Local Restrictions Authorized — Breed-Specific Regulation Prohibited)
This act does not limit any local government or public housing authority from adopting an ordinance or a policy, respectively, to address the safety and welfare concerns caused by attacks on persons or domestic animals; placing further restrictions or additional requirements on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked persons or domestic animals; or developing procedures and criteria for the...
Beekeeping
Boca Raton allows beekeeping subject to Florida Department of Agriculture regulations. Beekeepers must register with the state and follow best management practices for hive placement and colony health.
Boca Raton Beekeeping & Apiary Regulations
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. Sec. 586.10(1), 586.055, 586.045(1) (State Preemption of Local Beekeeping Ordinances; Apiary Location; Registration)
The authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to adopt rules on the placement and location of registered inspected managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the department and supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof. An apiary may be located on land classified as agricultural under s. 1...
Pet Limits
Boca Raton caps household pets at 4 dogs and cats combined per dwelling unit, counting every animal kept by everyone living there. An escapeproof fenced yard raises the cap to 6, and kittens and puppies under 6 months don't count toward either limit.
Boca Raton Household Pet Limit Rule
Some RestrictionsBoca Raton, FL Code of Ordinances § 5-39
No person shall possess and maintain upon the same premises more than 4 cats or dogs, or any combination thereof greater than 4, or any number of cats or dogs if the total of such animals possessed and maintained by all persons residing in the same dwelling unit would exceed 4. However, if the dwelling unit includes a yard with an escapeproof wall or fence, the limit established herein shall be...
Bird Protection
The entire City of Boca Raton is legally declared a bird sanctuary, making it unlawful for anyone to shoot, kill, trap, catch, chase, injure or capture any wild bird within city limits, with the ordinance drawing no exception by species or location.
Boca Raton Bird Sanctuary Protection Law
Heavy RestrictionsBoca Raton, FL Code of Ordinances § 5-2
All the territory embraced within the corporate limits of the city is hereby declared to be a bird sanctuary. It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot, kill, trap, catch, chase, injure or capture any wild bird.
Looking for Palm Beach County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boca Raton city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Palm Beach County →