6 rules for unincorporated Indian River County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Indian River County lets homeowners keep up to six hens — no roosters. Vero Beach bans backyard chickens, Sebastian allows only two hens, and Fellsmere allows six. Larger livestock belongs in agricultural zoning.
Indian River County prohibits pets from running at large off the owner's property. Animal Control may impound dogs at large. Rabies vaccination and a county license are required, and a 2019 ordinance limits how dogs may be tethered.
Breed-specific dog bans are prohibited in Florida. 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, so Indian River County cannot outlaw any breed.
Fla. 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 is lawful throughout Indian River County, and Florida preempts local bans. Section 586.10 gives the state exclusive authority to regulate and permit managed honeybee colonies and their placement. Colonies must be registered and inspected annually by FDACS.
Fla. 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.
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 an FWC permit. FWC sorts animals into Class I, II, and III; Indian River County cannot authorize them.
Fla. 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.
Feeding alligators is a crime in Florida. FWC rule 68A-25.001 makes it unlawful to intentionally feed or entice any alligator or crocodile. Feeding or harassing manatees in the Indian River Lagoon is also prohibited. State officers enforce both.
Fla. Admin. Code R. 68A-25.001
No person shall intentionally feed, or entice with feed, any crocodilian unless held in captivity under a permit issued by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or otherwise provided by this Title.
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