Animal Ordinances in Marion County, FL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Marion County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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.
Up to Six Hens Allowed; No Roosters in Residential Zones
Some RestrictionsMarion 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...
Dog Leash Laws
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.
Animals Must Be Under Direct Control Off the Owner's Property
Some RestrictionsMarion 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...
Breed Restrictions
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.
No Breed-Specific Bans; Florida Law Prohibits Them
Few RestrictionsFla. 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...
Pet Limits
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.
More Than 15 Dogs or Cats Requires a High-Volume Owner Permit
Some RestrictionsMarion 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.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Marion County orders mandatory sterilization only after a repeat violator is designated an irresponsible animal owner, not for pet owners generally.
Irresponsible Owners Must Spay/Neuter in 30 Days
Significant RestrictionsMarion County Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-28(3)a.
For a period of three (3) years from the date of designation as an irresponsible owner, or from the date of the most recent conviction for any subsequent violations, a person must comply with the following requirements: a.Any domestic animals owned by the person must be spayed/neutered within thirty (30) calendar days of the designation as an irresponsible owner.
Pet Store Rules
New pet shops in Marion County can't sell commercially-bred dogs or cats; they must source only from shelters or rescues under the adoption-based business model.
New Pet Shops Must Go Adoption-Only
Significant RestrictionsMarion County, FL Code of Ordinances, Sec. 4-18
No new pet shop shall offer for retail sale dogs or cats in Marion County, without fully complying with the adoption-based business model and unless that dog or cat was obtained from: (1) An animal shelter; (2) An animal rescue organization; ... Animal related organizations and government agencies are exempt from this section.
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