Animal Ordinances in Wellington, FL (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Wellington, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Within Wellington's Equestrian Preserve Area, the Land Development Regulations cap aviculture at 200 birds per property and require bird pens or cages to sit at least 50 feet from every property line. The same section flatly bans processing or slaughtering as part of any livestock raising use, keeping commercial meat processing out of the equestrian community.
Wellington Equestrian Area Bird and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsWellington Land Development Regulations § 6.8.9.B, .L
B.Aviculture:1.The maximum number of birds shall be restricted to 200.2.Pens, cages, or structures associated with the care of birds shall be setback a minimum of 50 feet from any property line. ... L.Livestock raising: Processing and slaughtering is strictly prohibited.
Dog Leash Laws
The Village of Wellington has no citywide leash law in its own code; Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control governs at-large dogs generally. Wellington's own rule is narrower: under LDR Sec. 6.2.2.A.5.b.vii, any pet a vacation rental host allows on the property must stay within the property lines or on a leash at all times, and may never be tethered.
Wellington Vacation Rental Pet Leash Rule
Light RestrictionsWellington Land Development Regulations § 6.2.2.A.5.b.vii
vii.Pet standards. If the responsible party permits transient occupants to have pets at the vacation rental, such pets shall, at all times, be secured within the property lines or on a leash, but shall not be tethered. Continual nuisance barking by pets is prohibited.
Exotic Pets
Wellington's Land Development Regulations don't let anyone keep a dangerous or Class I wild animal casually: any wildlife sanctuary use needs a minimum five-acre lot, and cages holding dangerous or Class I animals must sit at least 100 feet from every property line and stay screened from view. Housing Class I animals also requires a conditional use approval from the village.
Wellington Dangerous Wild Animal Rules
Significant RestrictionsWellington Land Development Regulations § 6.2.2.F.6
6.Wildlife sanctuary:a.Minimum lot size shall be five acres.b.Pens, cages, or structures associated with the animal care use shall be setback a minimum of 50 feet from any property line. Pens, cages, or structures containing dangerous animals or Class I animals as defined by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission shall be setback 100 feet from any property and shall be screened from v...
Pet Store Rules
Wellington bans pet stores from selling, trading or otherwise transferring dogs or cats under Sec. 4-2, and separately makes it unlawful to operate a puppy or kitten mill in the Village. Stores may still host and facilitate adoptions for an animal shelter or animal rescue organization, and breeders selling animals bred and reared on their own property are exempt.
Pet store dog and cat sale ban in Wellington
Heavy RestrictionsWellington Code of Ordinances § 4-2
Sec. 4-2. - Retail sale of dogs and cats; prohibition of puppy and kitten mills. ... B.Puppy mills and kitten mills: It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to establish, operate or maintain a puppy mill or kitten mill in Wellington.C.Sale or transfer of dogs or cats: No pet store shall display, sell, trade, deliver, barter, lease, rent, auction, give away, transfer, offer for sale or tra...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Wellington's Land Development Regulations restrict veterinary clinics with outdoor runs or boarding to a one-acre minimum lot, a 25-foot setback for any outdoor structure, and chain-link enclosure on every run. In the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District, a veterinary clinic must be for livestock only and sit on at least five acres.
Wellington Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsWellington Land Development Regulations § 6.2.2.B.18
Veterinary clinic:a.In the EOZD, a veterinary clinic use shall be for livestock only and shall be located on a minimum of five acres.b.Veterinary clinics with outdoor runs or boarding facilities shall comply with the following standards:i.The minimum lot size shall be one acre.ii.No outdoor run or boarding structure shall be located within 25 feet of any property line.iii.Shall be hard surfaced...
Bird Protection
Wellington's parks code bars harming, trapping, or killing any wildlife creature, including birds, on park property, and separately bans taking a wildlife creature's young, nest, or eggs, under Sec. 14-18; violators face the parks chapter's $25.00 to $500.00 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
Wellington Park Wildlife and Bird Protection
Significant RestrictionsWellington Code of Ordinances § 14-18
Sec. 14-18. - Wildlife. A."Wildlife creature" means any animal, bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate.B.No person shall molest, harm, frighten, kill, net, trap, snare, hunt, chase, shoot or throw or propel missiles, by any means, at any wildlife creature roaming free about a park or in captivity, nor shall any person remove or possess the young of any wildlife creature, or the...
Looking for Palm Beach County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wellington city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Palm Beach County →