10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Osceola County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
In residential zoning districts inside the Urban Growth Boundary, Osceola County permits dogs, cats, ferrets, potbellied pigs, rabbits, pigeons and horses, but specifically prohibits roosters, quacking ducks, geese, pea fowl, game birds, cows, goats, sheep, swine and hogs.
In unincorporated Osceola County, dogs must be under a competent adult's direct control by leash, cord, chain or other restraint whenever off the owner's premises, and even on the property must be leashed or confined by a secure fence or enclosure. Running at large is prohibited.
Osceola County does not ban any dog breed. Florida law (FS 767.14) lets local governments regulate dangerous dogs but bars breed-specific bans, so pit bulls and other breeds are legal; dangerous behavior, not breed, triggers restrictions.
Osceola County sets no anti-bee ordinance; beekeeping in Florida is regulated by the state. Under FS 586.10, all beekeepers must register hives with the Florida Department of Agriculture (FDACS), and local governments generally cannot prohibit registered honeybee colonies.
Exotic and captive wildlife in Florida are licensed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), not Osceola County. Under FS 379.372, keeping Class I, II or III wildlife requires an FWC permit; some dangerous species cannot be kept as personal pets at all.
Osceola County has no blanket ban on feeding songbirds, but intentionally feeding certain wildlife is regulated by the state. Florida law prohibits feeding alligators and crocodiles (FS 372.667 / FAC 68A-25.001) and bears, both misdemeanors carrying fines.
Livestock is limited to agricultural-zoned land; it is prohibited in residential districts inside the Urban Growth Boundary. Osceola County impounds any livestock found running at large or straying, and owners must reclaim it within three days or it is sold at auction.
Keeping more animals than the county allows or than can be cared for humanely is enforced through Osceola County's animal code and Florida's cruelty statute (FS 828.12). Failing to provide sufficient food, water, exercise or proper shelter is a violation.
In residential zones inside the Urban Growth Boundary, Osceola County limits each residence to 12 domesticated animals total: no more than 4 dogs, no more than 8 cats, and no more than 2 potbellied pigs (puppies under 4 months excepted).
Residents may keep up to 8 cats per residence in residential zones. Osceola County recognizes managed 'community cats' that are ear-tipped, sterilized and rabies-vaccinated, and exempts them from the at-large restriction that applies to owned cats and dogs.
1 cities in Osceola County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Osceola County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Osceola County Ordinance Hub →