Animal Ordinances in Bay County, FL (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Bay County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Bay County prohibits animals from running at large off the owner's property. Under Section 4-43, an owner must restrain any animal from being at-large, and dogs are barred from public beaches and parks. Rabies vaccination is required countywide under Florida law.
Bay County Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBay County, FL, Code of Ordinances § 4-43
No owner or caretaker of any animal(s) shall permit the animal(s) or fail to restrain the animal(s) from being at-large, except a dog shall be considered exempt from these provisions if the dog is engaged in the performance of duties while under the supervision and control of law enforcement officials performing law enforcement work or is engaged in any legal hunt or training procedure.
Breed Restrictions
Breed-specific dog bans are prohibited in Florida, so Bay County cannot outlaw any breed. Section 767.14 lets local governments regulate dangerous dogs but bars any rule specific to breed, weight, or size. A 2023 amendment ended the last grandfathered ban.
Bay County Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 767.14
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 animals; or developing procedures and criteria for the...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is lawful throughout Bay County, and Florida preempts local hive bans. Section 586.10 gives the state exclusive authority to regulate and permit managed honeybee colonies and set placement rules. Every beekeeper must register colonies annually with FDACS and allow state inspection.
Bay County Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 586.10
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.
Exotic Pets
Florida bars keeping captive wildlife without a state permit. Section 379.3762 makes it unlawful to possess any wildlife, native or not, until the owner holds a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC sorts animals into Class I, II, and III, and Bay County cannot authorize them.
Bay County Exotic & Wild Animal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 379.3762
It is unlawful for any person or persons to possess any wildlife as defined in this act, whether native to Florida or not, until she or he has obtained a permit as provided by this section from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Every dog or cat adopted from Bay County animal services must be microchipped, vaccinated and sterilized before release to its new owner. If a health issue delays surgery, the adopter posts a sterilization deposit required by F.S. § 823.15 and has 30 days, or until the animal reaches sexual maturity, to get it fixed and prove it to keep the deposit.
Bay County Shelter Adoption Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsBay County Code of Ordinances § 4-94
(b)Any dog or cat adopted from animal services shall receive a microchip and be sterilized and vaccinated prior to release to the new owner. If the sterilization of the animal cannot be done at the time of adoption because of health reasons, then the person shall pay a deposit guaranteeing sterilization, as required by F.S. § 823.15.(c)To be eligible for a refund of the sterilization deposit, t...
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