10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Lee County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Lee County's animal ordinance defines livestock (including domesticated poultry) but does not itself permit or ban backyard chickens or roosters. Whether you may keep them depends on your zoning district; contact the Lee County Community Development Department to confirm your parcel's rules.
Lee County Ord. 14-22, Sec. Two (Definitions), Livestock
LIVESTOCK: As defined in §828.23, F.S. (as it may be amended), means all animals of the bovine, equine, or swine class and also includes goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs, and domesticated poultry, or any other animal used in and for utility or preparation of meat or meat products.
In unincorporated Lee County, dogs must be under "direct control" at all times. Off your own property that means a leash no longer than 8 feet, a fence, or a cord/chain strong enough to restrain the dog. Loose dogs are "roaming at large" and citable.
Lee County Ord. 14-22, Sec. Two (Definitions), Direct Control
DIRECT CONTROL: Shall mean immediate and continuous physical control of an animal at all times; such as by means of a fence, leash not to exceed 8 feet in length, cord, or chain of sufficient strength to restrain said animal.
Lee County has no breed-specific dog ban, and it cannot enact one. Florida Statute 767.14 lets local governments regulate dangerous dogs but bars any regulation "specific to breed." Since October 1, 2023, local breed, weight, or size restrictions are preempted statewide.
FS 767.14
This act does not limit any local government from adopting an ordinance... placing further restrictions or additional requirements on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked persons or domestic animals... provided that no such regulation is specific to breed.
Lee County cannot regulate managed honeybee colonies. Florida Statute 586.10 preempts colony registration, inspection, permitting, and placement to the state (FDACS). Register your colonies with FDACS and follow its Best Management Practices instead of any local rule.
FS 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.
Keeping exotic or wild animals in Lee County is governed by the state, not the county. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) classifies wildlife as Class I, II, or III and requires a permit to possess captive wildlife of the type and number FWC approves.
Lee County Ord. 14-22, Sec. Two (Definitions), Exotic Species
EXOTIC SPECIES: Any animal whose natural habitat is outside the continental United States, excluding non-venomous reptiles and fish.
Lee County residents may not intentionally feed certain wildlife. Florida's FWC rule (F.A.C. 68A-4.001) bans intentionally feeding bears and prohibits leaving food or garbage that attracts bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, and non-human primates once it creates a nuisance.
Lee County's animal ordinance defines livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, hogs, poultry and similar) using state law but regulates cruelty and restraint, not where livestock may be kept. Whether you can keep livestock depends on your zoning district under the Land Development Code.
Lee County Ord. 14-22, Sec. Two (Definitions), Adequate Shelter
ADEQUATE SHELTER: A structurally sound, properly ventilated, sanitary and weather-proof shelter suitable for the species, condition and age of the animal, which provides access to shade from direct sunlight and protection from exposure to inclement weather.
Lee County has no separate "hoarding" ordinance, but hoarding is reached through its cruelty and care standards. Every animal must have adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, and sanitary conditions. Keeping animals in cruel or unsanitary conditions is citable and can be a state crime.
Lee County Ord. 14-22, Sec. Three, Part 4.A (Cruelty to Animals)
No owner, keeper or agent of an animal shall fail to provide the animal with adequate food, water, shelter or veterinary care; or restrain the animal by any means other than those defined in this Ordinance.
Lee County's animal ordinance does not set a fixed maximum number of dogs or cats per household. It regulates by outcome—requiring direct control, humane care, and no nuisance—and treats keeping animals "for profit" as a kennel or cattery. Any household numeric cap comes from zoning, not Ord. 14-22.
Lee County Ord. 14-22, Sec. Two (Definitions), Kennel or Cattery
KENNEL OR CATTERY: Any premises where animals are kept for profit rather than enjoyment, by boarding, grooming, buying, training, selling, letting-for-hire or offering of stud services.
In Lee County, any cat four months or older must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed, and wear its County license/rabies tag (microchipped cats and ferrets are exempt from the wear-tag rule). Registered TNR (trap-neuter-return) colony caretakers are exempted from the tethering/confinement restrictions.
Lee County Ord. 14-22, Sec. Three, Part 4.K.6
This section does not apply to animal owners using a leash or lead (including a retractable leash or lead) for the purposes of supervised recreational or outdoor enjoyment with their pet or caretakers of registered TNR colonies.
2 cities in Lee County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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