Animal Ordinances in Margate, FL (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Margate, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Margate, Florida, Code § 6-60 makes it unlawful to maintain, raise or house chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, doves, cattle, horses, sheep or goats. Migratory birds are excluded, and pet shops, veterinarian clinics, hospitals, shelters and pet motels are exempt. Individuals caring for indigenous fowl or poultry are capped at three animals at one time.
Margate FL Chickens and Livestock Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMargate Code § 6-60
(a)Prohibited. It shall be unlawful to maintain, raise or house the following within the city: Chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, doves, or cattle, horses, sheep or goats. Specifically excluded from the preceding prohibition shall be the keeping of migratory birds.(b)Exceptions:(1)Bona fide pet shops, veterinarian clinics, hospitals and shelters, and pet motels.(2)Individuals caring for the above...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Margate, Florida, Section 6-26 makes it unlawful to let any animal outside a secure building unless it is fenced in, tethered on the owner's property, on a leash under a person's control, or enclosed in a vehicle. Loose animals are a public nuisance that police or the animal control officer can impound.
Margate Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsMargate Code § 6-26
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, boarding or otherwise keeping or having in his/her custody an animal and to permit such animal to be outside any building or structure which securely keeps said animal from exiting said structure; or generally being outside of any said structure or building unless: (1)Such animal is kept behind a fence, wall, or other secure barricade which confines s...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Margate, Florida, Code §§ 6-80 and 6-81 classify dogs as dangerous by conduct, not breed. A classified dog needs an annual $200.00 certificate of registration from the police department, a secure enclosure, a microchip, $100,000 in liability coverage and sterilization within sixty days. Violations carry a $500 fine.
Margate FL Dangerous Dog Classification and Rules
Significant RestrictionsMargate Code §§ 6-80 and 6-81
(a)Dangerous dog.(1)"Dangerous dog" means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority:a.Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;b.Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property; or ... d.Has been classified as a dangerous dog in another ju...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is banned in the City of Margate, Florida. Section 6-59 of the City Code makes it unlawful to keep or harbor any bees in the municipality, declares any occupied beehive a nuisance, and treats each day of keeping bees as a separate crime enforced by the city animal control officer through citations or court summonses.
Margate Beekeeping Ban, Section 6-59
Heavy RestrictionsMargate Code § 6-59
(a)Prohibited: It shall be unlawful to keep or harbor any bees in the municipality.(b)Beehives declared nuisance: Any beehive used or occupied by bees is hereby declared to be a nuisance, and it shall be unlawful to keep or maintain any such hive in the city.(c)Animal control officer: The city animal control officer shall enforce this section by issuance of citations or summons to appear in cou...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Margate, Florida, Code § 6-61 prohibits keeping listed dangerous animals, including chimpanzees, gorillas, lions, tigers, bears, elephants, crocodilians, and all venomous snakes, amphibians or reptiles. The city has the right to enjoin any violation. Section 6-62 exempts zoos, educational or medical institutions, museums, circuses and licensed veterinary hospitals.
Margate FL Prohibited Dangerous Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsMargate Code §§ 6-61 and 6-62
(a)The following dangerous animals shall be prohibited from the city, except as provided under section 6-58 above: ... All venomous snakes, amphibians or reptiles All snakes, amphibians or reptiles which are such a size or nature as to constitute a danger to the safety of adults or children ... (d)The city shall have the right to enjoin the keeping of any animal in violation of this section. .....
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Margate, Florida, Code § 6-63 makes it unlawful for any person to feed, or leave food for, ducks that are not boarded, maintained and housed under section 6-60. The section names ducks only, not geese, deer or strays. The city animal control officer enforces it through warnings and citations.
Margate FL Unlawful Feeding of Ducks Rule
Significant RestrictionsMargate Code § 6-63
It shall be unlawful for any person to feed, or leave food for, ducks which are not boarded, maintained and housed, pursuant to section 6-60 of this Code.
Cat Rules
In the City of Margate, Florida, Section 6-30 of the City Code makes it unlawful to keep or harbor a cat over four months old unless a licensed veterinarian has inoculated it against rabies within the preceding year. No license issues without proof of that shot, unless a veterinarian certifies the animal would be banned from inoculation.
Margate Cat Rabies and Care Rules
Some RestrictionsMargate Code § 6-30
It shall be unlawful to keep or harbor any dog, cat or ferret over the age of four (4) months in the city unless such animal has been inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian within the preceding year. No license shall be issued for any dog, cat or ferret over the age of four (4) months unless the applicant for such license presents proof that the animal has been inoculated for rabi...
Pet Store Rules
In the City of Margate, Florida, Code § 6-88 bars pet stores from displaying, selling, giving away or otherwise transferring dogs or cats, with exemptions for hobby breeders, shelters, rescues and one grandfathered class of stores. Any lawful seller must post a certificate of source within three feet of each animal's enclosure.
Margate FL Pet Store Dog and Cat Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMargate Code § 6-88
(a)No pet store shall display, sell, trade, deliver, barter, lease, rent, auction, give away, transfer, offer for sale or transfer, or otherwise dispose of dogs or cats in the City of Margate, on or after the effective date of Ordinance No. 1500.603. ... e.Pet stores that:1.Possessed an active City of Margate local business tax receipt on or before the effective date of Ordinance No. 1500.603; ...
Pet Groomer Rules
In the City of Margate, Florida, pet grooming is a permitted use in the B-1 Neighborhood Business district only if the shop is under 3,000 square feet and soundproofed, with all activity inside a completely enclosed building. The B-2 and B-3 districts also require soundproofing. The business tax schedule lists animal grooming service at $100.00.
Margate FL Pet Grooming Shop Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMargate Land Development Code § 40.520
22.Pet grooming, subject to the following limitations:i.Must be less than three thousand (3,000) square feet in area.ii.Soundproofing required. ... (F)Limitations on uses.1.All activities of permitted uses, including sale, display, preparation and storage, shall be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building. This prohibition shall not apply to customer and employee parking, loadin...
Bird Protection
The entire City of Margate, Florida is a declared bird and wildlife sanctuary under Section 6-1 of the City Code. Taking, trapping or molesting any bird, wildlife or nest is unlawful, and removal needs a written permit issued after the animal control officer finds a nuisance. Non-native invasive iguanas, cane toads and similar species are excepted.
Margate Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsMargate Code § 6-1
(a)All of the territory embraced within the City limits of the City of Margate shall be and is hereby declared to be a bird and wildlife sanctuary. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, capture, ensnare, net, trap, or in any other manner molest any bird or wildlife; or in any manner molest the nest eggs of any bird, or nest or [of] any wildlife. Authorization by "written permit" to trap ...
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Margate city rules.
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