Animal Ordinances in Gainesville, FL (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Gainesville, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Gainesville allows up to 10 Gallus Domesticus hens per single-family home in the SF, RC, U1, and U2 districts, but bans roosters, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and rabbits as residential accessory uses. LDC § 30-5.39 requires coops in the rear half of the lot and personal, non-commercial use only.
Gainesville Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsGainesville Land Development Code § 30-5.39
The keeping or raising of fowl or livestock is allowed within the SF, RC, U1, and U2 districts as an accessory use, subject to the following standards: A.Permitted activities. The maximum allowed number of fowl or livestock is as follows: Fowl 10 Gallus Domesticus hens per single family residence. No other types of fowl are allowed. Horses and other equine animals Prohibited. Cattle Prohibited....
Breed Restrictions
Gainesville's animal chapter regulates dogs by behavior, not by breed. Nothing in the city code restricts a breed. Chapter 5 works alongside the Alachua County animal control ordinance, and city rules win in a direct conflict.
Dog Breed Rules in Gainesville
Few RestrictionsGainesville Code §§ 5-2, 5-5, 5-6
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 dangerous dogs, provided that no such ordinance is specific to breed and that the provisions of such ordinance or policy are not less stringent than this act.
Wildlife Feeding
Gainesville's only animal-feeding rule sits in the parks chapter: you may not feed any animal in a city park without authorization from the city manager or designee. Outside parks the code sets no feeding ban.
Feeding Wildlife in Gainesville Parks
Some RestrictionsGainesville Code §§ 18-20(25), 18-3, 5-6
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 placement of food or garbage in a manner that attract...
Pet Groomer Rules
Gainesville's zoning code classifies pet grooming as a "personal service," the same category as barbershops and laundromats, not as a "pet service" alongside kennels and veterinary clinics. Sec. 30-2.1 draws that line explicitly, and Table V-1 in Sec. 30-4.12 allows personal services by right in the city's more commercial transects while barring them from the most residential ones.
Pet Grooming Business Zoning in Gainesville
Some RestrictionsGainesville Land Development Code § 30-2.1 (definitions of "Personal service" and "Pet services")
Personal service means a service use primarily engaged in providing services involving the care of a person, his or her apparel, pets, or small appliances. Some examples include barbershops, beauty shops, exercise studios, funeral homes, pet grooming, appliance repair/service, laundromats, health and fitness clubs, parcel delivery offices, etc. ... Pet services means establishments primarily en...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Gainesville bars outdoor cages or runs at veterinary facilities except in industrial districts sited at least 500 feet from residentially zoned property. Every facility must also be sound-attenuated so ordinary animal noise cannot be heard outside the building, under LDC § 30-5.32.
Veterinary Facility Zoning Rules in Gainesville
Some RestrictionsGainesville Land Development Code § 30-5.32
A.No such facilities shall be permitted to have outside cages or runs except for those that are located in industrial districts and that are at least 500 feet from any property zoned for residential use.B.All such facilities shall have sound attenuation so as to prevent common and ordinary animal noises from being heard outside any building or structure. Outside cages or runs permitted in indus...
Looking for Alachua County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Gainesville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Alachua County →