Animal Ordinances in Spring Hill, FL (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Spring Hill, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Spring Hill is an unincorporated Community Development Plan (CDP) in Hernando County, so countywide Hernando County rules govern. Hernando County's Backyard Chicken ordinance (adopted 2019, expanded in 2026 to include ducks; codified at Hernando County Code of Ordinances Appendix A, Article V, Section 4, paragraph B) allows up to FOUR (4) hens (no roosters) on a residentially zoned property with a Permit to Keep Backyard Chickens issued by the Hernando County Development Department. Eligibility requires a minimum lot size of 10,000 sq ft, written consent of immediately adjacent and rear neighbors, a coop located in the rear yard at least 25 feet from the nearest neighbor's residence and at least 5 feet from all property lines, an enclosed (non-free-range) run, and the coop screened from view from adjoining properties and the street. The permit runs 5 years for approximately $100. Apply through the Hernando County Development Department at 352-754-4050 ext. 29150.
Spring Hill Backyard Chickens (Hernando County Code Appendix A Art. V Sec. 4)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Spring Hill is unincorporated, so the countywide Hernando County leash law in Section 6-24 of Chapter 6 (Animal Control) of the Hernando County Code governs. The owner of any dog must ensure the dog does not stray or run at large on any public street, sidewalk, right-of-way, or other public property, or on the private property of another - the dog may only be off the owner's premises if it is LEASHED and under DIRECT CONTROL. On the owner's own property, the dog must be supervised (within unobstructed sight of the owner and responsive to commands) or physically restrained by fencing or other means. Hernando County Sheriff's Office Animal Services (352-796-5062, 19450 Oliver Street, Brooksville) is the enforcement authority, and Florida state law (FS 828.30) requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months and older to be rabies vaccinated.
Spring Hill Dog Leash & Restraint Rules (Hernando County Code Sec. 6-24)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Hernando County (and therefore Spring Hill) does NOT and CANNOT enact a breed-specific dog ban or breed-specific permit/insurance/muzzle requirement. Florida Statute 767.14 (originally adopted 1990 and substantially strengthened by SB 942 effective October 1, 2023) preempts any local government ordinance that regulates dogs based on breed - it expressly prohibits the adoption of breed-specific legislation and the SB 942 amendment closed the grandfather clause that had previously allowed Miami-Dade County's pre-1990 pit bull ban to remain in effect. Hernando County's dangerous-dog framework in Chapter 6, Article IV operates entirely on a CONDUCT basis under Florida Statute Chapter 767, with HCSO Animal Services investigating bite reports and the Hernando County Dangerous and Aggressive Dog Registry tracking classified dogs.
Spring Hill Breed Restrictions (FS 767.14 Preempts BSL Statewide)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Backyard beekeeping is permissive in Spring Hill. Florida Statute 586.10 (as amended) preempts most local regulation of honey bee colonies that comply with FDACS Best Management Requirements - Hernando County may NOT enact ordinances that prohibit beekeeping or set inconsistent local rules. Florida Statute 586.04 separately requires every beekeeper to register their colonies with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection regardless of hive count, with annual renewal. Hernando County's Code Chapter 6 does not contain a beekeeping section that overrides the state framework, so FS 586 fully governs.
Spring Hill Beekeeping (FS 586.10 Preempts; FDACS Registration Required)
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Florida regulates exotic and captive wildlife on a STATEWIDE basis through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under Florida Statute Chapter 379 and FWC rule Chapters 68A-6 and 68A-25. Animals are classified as Class I (lions, tigers, bears, leopards, cheetahs, gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, crocodiles - private ownership PROHIBITED), Class II (cougars, bobcats, servals, wolves, hyenas, alligators, large macaques - permit required, $140-$300 fee, 1,000 hours of documented experience, secure caging), and Class III (most other captive wildlife - free FWC permit required for non-exempt species). Hernando County Code Section 6-32 ('Wild animals') prohibits the keeping of wild animals as pets except in conformance with FWC rules, and the FWC Captive Wildlife Amnesty Day program accepts surrender of illegally held exotics without penalty.
Spring Hill Exotic Pets (FWC Captive Wildlife Classes I/II/III under FS 379)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Florida bans the intentional feeding of multiple wildlife species statewide, and Spring Hill - which sits adjacent to the Weeki Wachee Springs/Weeki Wachee River, Annutteliga Hammock, Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge to the north, and the Withlacoochee State Forest to the east - is squarely inside the enforcement zone. FWC Rule 68A-4.001(3) prohibits the feeding of black bears and Florida panthers; FWC Rule 68A-25.002 prohibits the feeding of alligators and crocodiles; FWC Rule 68A-13.004 protects sandhill cranes; FWC Rule 68A-16.002 protects bald eagles. Violations are second-degree misdemeanors under FS 379.412 and are aggressively enforced by FWC Law Enforcement (888-404-FWCC). Bird feeders for songbirds are not regulated; intentional feeding of nuisance wildlife (raccoons, foxes) can be cited by Hernando County Code Enforcement under general nuisance provisions.
Spring Hill Wildlife Feeding (FWC Bans Alligator/Bear/Panther Feeding)
Heavy RestrictionsLivestock
Spring Hill is unincorporated and zoning-controlled by Hernando County, so livestock-keeping turns on the County zoning category of the specific parcel. AGRICULTURAL-RESIDENTIAL (AR) zoning allows grazing livestock (horse, cattle, sheep, goat) at the rate of 1 mature animal plus offspring under 1 year per acre (acreage rounded UP), plus fowl and swine for personal consumption (kept 75 ft from adjoining property lines). AGRICULTURAL (AG) zoning allows broader grazing livestock, poultry, and swine. Standard RESIDENTIAL zoning (most of platted Spring Hill) does NOT allow grazing livestock - only the up-to-4-hen Backyard Chicken Program (Appendix A Art. V Sec. 4). The Florida Right to Farm Act (FS 823.14), substantially strengthened by HB 1601 of 2025 (effective July 1, 2025), protects bona fide agricultural operations on land classified as agricultural under FS 193.461 from public and private nuisance suits and from many local regulations.
Spring Hill Livestock (Hernando County AR Zoning Allows 1 Grazing Animal Per Acre; FS 823.14 Right-to-Farm)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Hernando County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Spring Hill city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Hernando County →