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 allows residents in single-family homes to keep up to four backyard hens under Chapter 8, but bans roosters, slaughtering, and free-roaming chickens, with coop screening and setback rules.
Clearwater Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Clearwater follows Pinellas County and Chapter 8 rules requiring dogs to be leashed in public, with at-large dogs subject to impoundment, fines, and dangerous-dog escalation.
Clearwater Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsBreed 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 defers to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Class I-III rules under FS 379.3761 and Chapter 8, banning Class I species and requiring state permits for most exotics.
Clearwater Exotic Pet and Wildlife Limits
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife 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...
Animal Hoarding
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 →