Animal Ordinances in Winter Haven, FL (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Winter Haven, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Winter Haven allows backyard chickens as an accessory use in every zoning district under Unified Land Development Code Section 21-69(e), but limits them to hens only, one bird per 1,000 square feet of lot area up to a maximum of five, and requires a coop no larger than 125 square feet and no taller than six feet. Section 21-69(a) separately bans letting any livestock, bird or fowl run at large citywide.
Winter Haven Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsWinter Haven Unified Land Development Code § 21-69(a), (e)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having custody or control of any livestock, bird, or other fowl to permit or allow such fowl or livestock to run or be at large in the City. ... (e)Chickens as an accessory use shall be permitted in all zoning districts and the following standards shall apply to all zoning districts except the Agriculture (AG) zoning district:(1)Chickens are limi...
Dog Leash Laws
Winter Haven Code of Ordinances Section 4-26 requires every dog to be kept under restraint at all times, defined as continuous physical control by fence, leash, cord or chain, or voice command for a trained animal within sight and hearing. Female dogs and cats in season and any vicious animal face stricter confinement rules.
Winter Haven Dog Restraint & Leash Law
Some RestrictionsWinter Haven Code of Ordinances § 4-26
Restraint shall mean immediate and continuous physical control of an animal at all times such as by means of a fence, leash, cord or chain of sufficient strength to restrain same; or in the case of specifically trained or hunting animals which immediately respond to such commands, restraint shall also include aural or oral control, if the controlling person is at all times clearly and fully wit...
Beekeeping
Winter Haven allows beekeeping as a limited agricultural use in its RE, Residential Estate zoning district under the Unified Land Development Code. Sec. 21-35(d)(1) lists bee keeping alongside orchards, vineyards, nurseries and noncommercial greenhouses as land uses in residential areas that are agricultural in nature. The same limited-agricultural-use language also governs the AG, Agriculture district under Sec. 21-34(c)(2).
Winter Haven RE District Beekeeping Rules
Light RestrictionsWinter Haven Unified Land Development Code § 21-35(d)(1)
(1)Limited agricultural uses are permitted and are: Land uses in residential areas that are characterized as agricultural in nature and are limited to orchards; vineyards; nurseries; ornamental horticulture areas; groves; noncommercial greenhouses, bee keeping and raising of exotic species with the exception of venomous reptiles.
Exotic Pets
Winter Haven bars any household or business from breeding or keeping a wild animal or poisonous reptile that poses a threat to human safety under Unified Land Development Code Section 21-69(d). The ban exempts animal shelters, medical or scientific facilities, pet shops and zoos, along with any other location where keeping such animals is a permitted use under the Code.
Winter Haven Wild Animal Pet Ban
Significant RestrictionsWinter Haven Unified Land Development Code § 21-69(d)
(d)No household or business shall breed or maintain any wild animal or poisonous reptile that poses a threat to human safety. Excluded from this restriction are animal shelters, medical or scientific facilities, pet shops, zoos or other locations where the showing or maintenance of such animals is a permitted use under the provisions of this Code.
Pet Limits
Winter Haven caps household pets at four dogs or cats six months or older per residential dwelling unit under Unified Land Development Code Section 21-69(b). Section 21-69(c) separately limits commercial and industrial properties to two dogs, unless the site is a veterinarian's office, kennel, pet motel, Humane Society facility or similar permitted animal-care use, which are exempt from the cap.
Winter Haven Pet Limits Per Household
Some RestrictionsWinter Haven Unified Land Development Code § 21-69(b)-(c)
(b)No household shall keep or maintain more than four (4) dogs or cats aged six (6) months or older in connection with any residential dwelling unit.(c)No business shall keep or maintain more than two (2) dogs in connection with any building used for commercial or industrial purposes, other than at the office of a veterinarian, in a kennel, at a pet motel, at the Humane Society or in similar fa...
Looking for Polk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Winter Haven city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Polk County →