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Animal Ordinances in Gulfport, FL (2026)

5 verified animal ordinances for Gulfport, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Chickens & Livestock

Gulfport allows up to ten hens per property but bans roosters outright. Livestock and other poultry stay banned citywide under section 5-12.1, and hens must be fenced in the rear yard with clean, odor-free coops.

Gulfport Backyard Chicken Rules

Some Restrictions

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 5-12.2

Chickens allowed. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5-12.1, it shall not be unlawful to have, own, keep or maintain up to ten (10) chickens, other than roosters, within the city. ... Running at large. Chickens running at large within the city are hereby declared to be a nuisance. ... Manner of keeping. No person shall keep any chickens unless the same are securely fenced and confined to...

Dog Leash Laws

Gulfport requires every dog on public property, or on private property without the owner's consent, to be restrained by a leash no longer than 20 feet. The rule covers streets, sidewalks, parks, and city-owned land along Boca Ciega Bay.

Gulfport 20-Foot Dog Leash Law

Some Restrictions

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 5-30

It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, or has care, custody or control of, any dog, to allow said dog on any public street, alley, sidewalk, right-of-way, easement, park or other public property, including any city-owned lands adjacent to Boca Ciega Bay, or on any private property without consent of the owner or lessee of said property, unless said dog is at all times restrained and cont...

Exotic Pets

Gulfport bans keeping any dangerous or carnivorous wild animal, venomous reptile, or vicious domesticated animal inside city limits. Section 5-14 lists species by name, from lions and bears to constrictor snakes six feet or longer and all poisonous animals.

Gulfport Exotic and Wild Animal Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Gulfport Code of Ordinances §§ 5-13, 5-14

Sec. 5-13. Possession prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or have in his possession or under his control within the city any reptile or any dangerous or carnivorous wild animal, any vicious or dangerous domesticated animal or any other animal or reptile of wild, vicious or dangerous propensities. ... Sec. 5-14. Same-Classifications. It shall be unlawful for any per...

Coyote Management

Gulfport bars feeding, trapping, hunting, capturing, or harming any wildlife on city-owned land, a rule that reaches coyotes along with every other wild species. Only the city manager can grant a special exception, and even shell collecting has a de minimis carve-out.

Gulfport Wildlife Feeding Ban on City Land

Some Restrictions

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 17-28(c)

No person shall feed, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, hunt, chase, capture, possess, shoot, or throw any object at any wildlife on any city-owned land; nor shall any person remove the eggs, nest, or young of any wildlife on any city-owned land; nor shall any person collect, remove, possess, give away, sell or offer to sell, buy or offer to buy, or accept as a gift any specimen, dead or aliv...

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Gulfport's zoning code files a veterinary practice under the 'office, business or professional' use, the same category as accountants and physicians, so a vet clinic can open anywhere that use is permitted. The definition in Code § 22-2.02 draws one hard line: no boarding of animals on the premises.

Gulfport Veterinary Office Zoning Rule

Some Restrictions

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 22-2.02

Office, business or professional. A place used for providing professional, business or administrative services, whether as a primary business activity or in support of other business activities performed off-site. Such services may include the services of architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, physicians (physicians in this term includes the prescribing of medical marijuana as provided ...

Looking for Pinellas County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Gulfport city rules.

Animal Ordinances in Pinellas County