Animal Ordinances in Clearwater, FL (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Clearwater, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Clearwater bans keeping fowl or livestock, including horses, cows, sheep, hogs and calves, on any property unless the use fits a listed exception. Chickens are allowed only under the Community Development Code's separate chicken-keeping standard referenced in Sec. 8.04(11).
Clearwater Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsCity Code Sec. 8.03; Sec. 8.04(11)
No animals, and in particular an animal which by its nature is wild and untamed, bees, reptiles, fowl or livestock, including horses, mules, cows, sheep, hogs or calves, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be kept, harbored, raised or permitted to run at large on any property either public or private within the city limits of the city by any person. ... The provisions of section...
Dog Leash Laws
Clearwater bans letting a dog, horse, cow or other pet wander on public streets or someone else's property, and prohibits leaving one tied up unattended on public streets, parks or parkways except temporarily. Sec. 8.33 authorizes impoundment of any animal found wandering or improperly secured.
Clearwater Dogs Running at Large Ban
Some RestrictionsCity Code Sec. 8.33
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, harbors, keeps or maintains any horse, chicken, cow or other domestic animal or pet including dogs to permit such animal to wander on the public streets or on the property of another. Such animals shall not be secured except temporarily on the public streets, parks, property of another or parkways of the city, and any such horse, cow and other anima...
Breed Restrictions
Clearwater cannot restrict dogs by breed under Florida Statute 767.14 as amended in 2023, but enforces individual dangerous-dog rules under Chapter 8 based on behavior.
Clearwater Breed Restrictions and Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsF.S. 767.14
767.14  Additional local restrictions authorized. — 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 ...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping in Clearwater is governed by Florida Statute 586, which preempts most local regulation; registered hives are allowed in residential yards subject to FDACS Best Management Practices.
Clearwater Beekeeping and Honey Bee Rules
Few RestrictionsF.S. 586.10
586.10  Powers and duties of department; preemption of local government ordinances. — (1)  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, munici...
Exotic Pets
Clearwater outright bans keeping any animal that is wild and untamed by nature, along with bees and reptiles, anywhere in the city, public or private. Sec. 8.03 gives no exception for wild or exotic animals kept as pets; the Sec. 8.04 carve-outs cover only research, education, veterinary, agricultural and pet uses.
Clearwater Wild and Untamed Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCity Code Sec. 8.03; Sec. 8.04(9)
No animals, and in particular an animal which by its nature is wild and untamed, bees, reptiles, fowl or livestock, including horses, mules, cows, sheep, hogs or calves, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be kept, harbored, raised or permitted to run at large on any property either public or private within the city limits of the city by any person. ... (9) Animals kept by the p...
Wildlife Feeding
Clearwater enforces Florida Statute 379.412 and FWC rules under Chapter 68A-4 prohibiting feeding of bears, alligators, sandhill cranes, pelicans, raccoons, and similar wildlife.
Clearwater Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsF.S. 379.412
379.412  Penalties for feeding wildlife and freshwater fish. — (1)(a)  The penalties in this section apply to a violation of any rule or order of the commission that prohibits or restricts: 1.  Feeding wildlife or freshwater fish with food or garbage; 2.  Attracting or enticing wildlife or freshwater fish with food or garbage; or 3.  Allowing the placem...
Pet Limits
Clearwater enforces Chapter 8 sanitation and cruelty rules with Florida Statute 828.12 to address animal hoarding, allowing seizure when conditions endanger animals or neighbors.
Clearwater Animal Hoarding and Cruelty Limits
Heavy RestrictionsF.S. 828.12
828.12  Cruelty to animals. — (1)  A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, commits animal cruelty, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punish...
Looking for Pinellas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clearwater city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Pinellas County →