Animal Ordinances in Melbourne, FL (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Melbourne, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Melbourne requires a city animal permit before keeping chickens, other fowl or livestock outside a residence. Sec. 10-27 sets the application, structure and setback conditions, and specifically warns that permits for roosters are generally not issued unless the property is unusual.
Melbourne Backyard Chicken & Fowl Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMelbourne, FL Code of Ordinances § 10-27
(a)A permit shall be required for animals (except domestic dogs and cats) that are kept outside of a residence. An applicant for an animal permit must complete a form provided by the city clerk and provide a hand-drawn diagram that includes the following: street name; location of house; and location of any structure used to house the animal. If an animal structure will be used, it must be in pl...
Dog Leash Laws
Inside Melbourne's city parks, dogs and other domestic animals must stay on a leash no longer than 15 feet unless the park is posted otherwise, and the handler must clean up after the animal. Except for service animals, pets can't go inside recreational facilities or onto the golf courses at all.
Melbourne Park Leash Law: 15-Foot Limit
Some RestrictionsMelbourne, FL Code of Ordinances § 42-17
Domestic animals are permitted in parks, unless otherwise posted; however, they must be restrained with a leash no longer than 15 feet. The person in control of the animal is responsible for removing any animal waste. Domestic animals, except service animals, are not permitted inside recreational facilities or on the golf courses.
Breed Restrictions
Florida Statute Section 767.14 preempts all breed-specific legislation statewide. Melbourne cannot enact breed bans or restrictions. Dangerous dog classifications are behavior-based under FL Sections 767.01-767.04.
Melbourne Dog Breed Restrictions & Dangerous Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 767.14 (Additional Local Restrictions Authorized)
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 or domestic ani...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping in Melbourne is regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Registration is required. Hives must comply with setback requirements from property lines and face away from neighboring properties. Water source required on-site.
Melbourne Beekeeping & Apiary Regulations
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. Ch. 586 (Honeybee Law)
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, municipality, or political subdivision thereof. (2) The department shall: (a) Administer and enforce this chapter. (b)...
Exotic Pets
Melbourne lets residents keep certain nondomestic animals as pets even in zoning districts that would otherwise bar them, but Sec. 10-25 hands the city's authority off entirely for any animal the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates: the city will not issue its own permit for those species.
Melbourne Nondomestic & Exotic Pet Rules
Significant RestrictionsMelbourne, FL Code of Ordinances §§ 10-23, 10-25
Sec. 10-23. - Purpose. The intent of the city council in adopting this article is to recognize that the zoning code does not expressly permit nondomestic animals in certain zoning districts; however, within these districts, there are certain animals that may be kept as family pets. Sec. 10-25. - Jurisdiction by state. The city will not issue permits for animals regulated by the Florida Fish and...
Pet Limits
Melbourne's zoning code sets no flat number for how many dogs or cats a household may keep, but the moment a property harbors five or more house pets it legally becomes a "kennel," a land use that is not authorized in any residential zoning district. Four or fewer dogs and cats stay unregulated as ordinary pets under Appendix B, Article II of the Melbourne City Code.
Melbourne Pet Limits Before Kennel Rules Apply
Some RestrictionsMelbourne, FL Code of Ordinances, Appendix B - Zoning, Art. II - Definitions ("Kennel")
Kennel. A premises where five or more domesticated house pets (excluding farm animals) over six months of age are harbored, whether for profit or for personal use. The term shall also include the keeping of more than one dog on vacant property or on property used for business or commercial purposes.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary facilities are permitted by right in Melbourne's C-1, C-2, C-P, C-E, M-1 and M-2 districts, need a conditional use permit in C-1A and C-3, and are prohibited in R-P and I-1, with kennel status and setbacks turning on whether animals stay overnight.
Melbourne Veterinary Facility Zoning Requirements
Some RestrictionsMelbourne, FL Code of Ordinances, Appendix B - Zoning, Art. V, § 2, Table 1B
Uses R-P C-1A C-1 C-2 C-3 C-P C-E M-1 M-2 I-1 ... Veterinary facility* N C P P C P P P P N
Bird Protection
Melbourne has declared every land and water area within the city a wildlife sanctuary. Sec. 10-2 makes it unlawful to intentionally kill or injure any bird, waterfowl or wild animal anywhere inside the city limits, a blanket local protection layered on top of state and federal wildlife law.
Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary Bird Protection Law
Heavy RestrictionsMelbourne, FL Code of Ordinances § 10-2
Sec. 10-2. - Designation of city as wildlife sanctuary. All lands and waters within the city are hereby declared to be and are designated as a wildlife sanctuary and, as such, it shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally kill or injure any bird, waterfowl or wild animal within said area.
Looking for Brevard County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Melbourne city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Brevard County →