14 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Keeping chickens, livestock, or poultry is strictly prohibited in single-family residential zoning districts in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Only AU (Agricultural Use) zoned properties may keep livestock or fowl.
Miami-Dade County Code Section 5-20 requires all dogs to be leashed when off private property. Unsterilized dogs incur a $150 fine if found at large; sterilized dogs incur a $50 fine. Escalating penalties apply for repeat offenses.
Miami-Dade County's 1989 pit bull ban was repealed effective October 1, 2023 by state law. Florida now preempts all breed-specific legislation statewide. All dogs are regulated under behavior-based dangerous dog standards per FL Chapter 767.
Fla. Stat. § 767.14 (2024) - Additional local restrictions authorized (dangerous dogs)
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 in unincorporated Miami-Dade County residential zones requires a Beekeeper's Compliance Agreement. Florida FDACS requires all beekeepers to register and mark hives with a unique firm number. Hives within 15 feet of a property line need a 6-foot flyway barrier.
Miami-Dade County Code Section 5-3 regulates wild animals and reptiles. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires permits for Class I, II, and III wildlife. Feeding wildlife, especially alligators, is illegal under FL §379.
Feeding wildlife in Miami-Dade County is prohibited under FL §379 and county code. Feeding alligators is a second-degree misdemeanor. FWC enforces wildlife feeding violations. Nuisance alligators reported to 866-FWC-GATOR.
Miami-Dade County addresses animal hoarding through Chapter 5 of the County Code, which limits the number of dogs and cats per household and establishes animal care standards. Hoarding situations involving neglect or cruelty are investigated by Miami-Dade Animal Services.
Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 5 caps the number of dogs and cats that may be kept at a residence in unincorporated areas, with stricter limits for multifamily dwellings and a hobby-kennel permit option for owners exceeding the threshold.
Miami-Dade County licenses owned cats under Chapter 5 and operates a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return community-cat program for outdoor colonies, balancing humane management with public-health rabies vaccination requirements.
Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 5 requires that all dogs and cats adopted from Animal Services be sterilized before release, and unsterilized pets must carry an annual unaltered-animal license through the Animal Services Department.
Miami-Dade County requires dogs and cats to be microchipped as part of pet licensing under Chapter 5, and Animal Services uses chips to return strays to owners and reduce shelter intake countywide.
Miami-Dade County does not run a coyote trapping program; under Florida wildlife rules, residents are encouraged to haze coyotes, secure pets and trash, and report aggressive animals to Animal Services and FWC.
Miami-Dade County Chapter 5 restricts retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats sourced from commercial breeders, steering buyers toward shelters, rescues, and humane sources to curb puppy-mill supply chains.
Miami-Dade County protects native and migratory birds through the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida nongame rules, with extra county safeguards for nesting wading birds, burrowing owls, and shoreline rookeries.
8 cities in Miami-Dade County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
13 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
6 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
7 verified rules • Animal Hoarding, Beekeeping
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