5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Marion County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Marion County's Land Development Code lets residents in residential zoning keep up to six chickens (hens only); roosters and all other fowl are prohibited. Hens must be coop-confined dusk to dawn, the coop must sit 20 feet from neighboring homes, and on-site egg or hen sales are not allowed.
Marion County Land Development Code Sec. 4.2.6 (Ord. No. 17-08, Apr. 11, 2017)
Requirements for keeping chickens in residential zoning classifications: Chicken shall mean a female of Gallus domesticus or a hen. Chicken shall not include the following: Any male chicken or rooster. Any duck, goose, turkey, peafowl, guinea fowl or other poultry or fowl. Number of chickens may not exceed six. Roosters are prohibited. Duplex, townhome, multi-family and similar units are prohib...
In unincorporated Marion County it is unlawful to let any animal run at large on public streets, sidewalks, parks, school grounds, or another person's property without consent. Off the owner's property an animal must be kept under physical control at all times by leash or similar restraint.
Marion County Code Sec. 4-11(a)-(b) (Ord. No. 11-55, Oct. 18, 2011)
(a) It shall be unlawful for any animal owner or responsible person for any animal, to fail to maintain direct or physical control of such animal and allow it to run at large upon any public street, sidewalks, school grounds, parks or on the private property of others without the consent of owner of such property. (b) It shall be the duty of every animal owner or responsible person to ensure th...
Marion County does not ban or restrict any dog breed. Florida law (F.S. 767.14) bars local governments from regulating dogs based on breed, weight, or size, so the county's only dog rules are breed-neutral dangerous-dog provisions under Chapter 4 and F.S. Chapter 767.
Fla. Stat. 767.14 (2024) - Additional local restrictions authorized
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...
Marion County requires animals to be confined to the owner's property, and Florida's open-range repeal makes livestock owners liable for animals that stray. Letting cattle, horses, or other livestock run at large on public roads is a second-degree misdemeanor and creates civil liability for resulting damage.
Fla. Stat. 588.15 (2024) - Liability of owner; see Marion County Code Sec. 4-11
588.15 Liability of owner.-Every owner of livestock who intentionally, willfully, carelessly, or negligently suffers or permits such livestock to run at large upon or stray upon the public roads of this state shall be liable in damages for all injury and property damage sustained by any person by reason thereof.
Marion County's animal code does not cap ordinary household pet numbers, but anyone who owns, harbors, or keeps more than fifteen dogs or cats in aggregate is a 'high-volume owner' and must obtain a permit from Marion County Animal Services before keeping them.
Marion County Code Sec. 4-2 (definition of 'High-volume owner'); see Sec. 4-29
High-volume owner shall mean any person, business, or organization who owns, harbors, or keeps more than fifteen (15) dogs or cats, in aggregate, at a property or structure, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, housing, boarding, breeding, training, show or exhibition, hunting, sale, rescue, adoption or personal pet or use.
1 cities in Marion County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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