Animal Ordinances in Hillsborough County, FL (2026)

Sec. 6.11.13(B), Hillsborough County Land Development Code

In Residential Districts: No animal, other than household animals as defined in this Code, shall be kept in any residential zoning district, except that: a. Honey bees may be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Department of Agriculture... b. Exotic animals may be kept for personal enjoyment with appropriate license/permit from the State of Florida. c. Chickens may be kept i...

Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances, Part A § 6-28(a), (d)

(a) Excluding public right-of-way on an owner's private property, no dog or cat shall be allowed to stray, run or go, at large upon any public property or street, sidewalk, park, or on the private property of another without the consent of the property owner. Supp. No. 2 CD6:17 § 6-28 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, LAWS, PART A, GENERAL ORD...

Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances, Part A, Sec. 6-27(a)-(b)

Sec. 6-27. Vicious animals and dangerous dogs. (a) Vicious animals. No person shall allow a companion animal, when unprovoked, to bite, attack, endanger, or inflict injury on a human, domestic animal, or livestock while on public or private property; or chase or approach an individual upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack. Viola...

Hillsborough County Land Development Code § 6.11.13.B.1.a

B. In Residential Districts 1. No animal, other than household animals as defined in this Code, shall be kept in any residential zoning district, except that: a. Honey bees may be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection. Unless otherwise regulated by FDACS, hive s...

Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances, Part A § 6-28(b), (e)

(b) Any cat that is outdoors while not under direct control must be sterilized. (c) Any dog or cat that is on private property without the consent of the property owner or resident may be captured in a humane trap or otherwise humanely confined. Persons capturing at large dogs or cats will be responsible for the humane care of the animal until the captured animal is turned over to the ...

Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances, Part A § 6-24(a)

A dog or cat shall be required to wear its tag or have a currently registered Radio Frequency Identification RFID (microchip ID). Ear-tipped cats are not required to have or display a tag. The numbers/letters from the microchip, that uniquely identify the dog or cat must be provided to the Department at the time of licensure or implantation, whichever is soonest. (b) Exceptions. ...

Sec. 6-63(a), Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances, Part A

No new pet shop shall offer for retail sale dogs or cats in Hillsborough County, unless that dog or cat was obtained from: (1) An animal shelter; (2) A rescue organization; (3) Some other sourcing model, as approved by the Department, which does not include commercially bred intact animals to be resold to the public, whether purchased directly from a com...

Sec. 6.11.14.B

If completely enclosed with four solid walls, buildings housing animal hospitals or veterinary clinics shall be located no closer than 50 feet from any adjacent residentially zoned property. Buildings housing animal hospitals or veterinary clinics, which are not fully enclosed, shall be located no closer than 150 feet from any adjacent residentially zoned distric...