Animal Ordinances in Ocala, FL (2026)
4 verified animal ordinances for Ocala, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Ocala allows up to six chickens in the rear yard of a single-family home in the R-1, R-1A and R-1AA districts, but only with a growth management department permit under Sec. 122-1217. Roosters, ducks, geese and other fowl are banned, and code enforcement can inspect permitted coops at least twice a year for compliance.
Ocala Backyard Chicken Keeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 122-1217
Chickens are allowed on properties zoned R-1, R-1A and R-1AA, subject to the following conditions: (1)A permit is required with the city's growth management department to keep up to six chickens in the rear yard of an occupied detached single-family residence. Code enforcement may inspect permitted properties at least twice a year to ensure compliance with conditions.(2)Ducks, geese, turkeys, p...
Dog Leash Laws
Ocala Code of Ordinances § 46-185 bars bringing or keeping any unleashed dog, cat, or other animal into a city park unless the recreation and parks director authorizes it, and the section says nothing there permits running dogs at large. Citywide animal control and leash enforcement outside parks is handled separately, since Chapter 14 adopts Marion County's animal control code by reference for the city.
Ocala City Park Dog Leash Rule
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 46-185
No person shall bring into, or be responsible for bringing into, or allow to remain in any park or park area any unleashed dogs, cats or other animals belonging to that person or in his possession, custody or control, except as the director may authorize. However, nothing contained in this section shall be construed as permitting the running of dogs at large.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Ocala's zoning code lets veterinarian offices operate in the A-1 agricultural district and most commercial zones, B-2 through M-1, without a permit hearing, per Table 122-287 in City Code § 122-287. The office park (OP) district requires a special exception, and in the B-1 and B-1A neighborhood commercial districts the use is capped by footnote X7: no overnight boarding.
Ocala Veterinary Office Zoning Districts
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances §§ 122-3, 122-287
Veterinarian office means an establishment in which animals are provided veterinarian services by a trained veterinarian. A veterinarian office may include grooming and boarding facilities. ... A-1 R-1 R-2 R-3 RZL RBH OH MH RO O-1 OP B-1 B-1A B-2 B-2A B-3C B-4 B-5 SC M-1 M-2 M-3 INST ... Veterinarian office X X32 SE X7 X7 X X X X X X X X ... X7 Veterinarian office, no overnight boarding.
Bird Protection
Ocala Code of Ordinances § 46-214 protects wildlife roaming free in city parks: no one may molest, harm, frighten, kill, net, trap, snare, hunt, chase, shoot, or throw missiles at any animal, bird, or reptile on park grounds. The same section separately bars anyone from dumping, abandoning, or leaving any wild or domestic animal, reptile, or bird within a park.
Ocala Park Wildlife Protection Rule
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 46-214
(a)No person shall molest, harm, frighten, kill, net, trap, snare, hunt, chase, shoot or throw or propel, by any means, missiles at any wildlife creature, be it animal, bird or reptile, roaming free about a park.(b)No person shall place, dump, abandon or leave any animal, reptile or bird, either wild or domestic, on the grounds of any park.
Looking for Marion County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ocala city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Marion County →