Animal Ordinances in Osceola County, FL (2026)

Osceola County Code § 4-30(a), (a)(3)

In all non-agriculturally zoned districts inside the urban growth boundary, domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets, potbellied pigs (Vietnamese or Asian), rabbits, pigeons, goats, horses and chickens are permitted, but the following animals are specifically prohibited: roosters, quacking ducks, geese, pea fowl, game birds, cattle, sheep, swine other than the pot-bellied pigs provided ...

Osceola County Code § 4-31(d)

(d)An owner allowing a dog or cat to run at large on any public or private property without the consent of the property owner or resident. All dogs and cats, when not on the premises of the owner or on the premises of another person who consents thereto, shall remain under the direct control of a person competent to control such dog or cat, at all times, or shall be kept within a suitable enclo...

Osceola County Code § 4-36(a)-(c), (i)

(a)The department shall investigate reported incidents involving any dog that may be dangerous and, if possible, shall interview the owner and require a sworn affidavit from any person, including any animal control officer or law enforcement officer, desiring to have a dog classified as dangerous. The owner may file a written request for a hearing regarding the dangerous dog classification, pen...

Osceola County Code § 4-31(h)

(h)No person shall leave food outside during hours of darkness for pets or community cats due to the potential to attract other animals including wildlife that may carry and transmit rabies except in cases where the food is placed inside a trap in an effort to capture an animal. Community cat caregivers, as defined in this chapter, must make every effort to minimize the impact on local wildlife...

Osceola County Code § 4-30(a)(1), (e)-(h)

Domesticated animals are limited to not more than twelve (12) in total per residence. The number of dogs shall not exceed four (4). The number of cats shall not exceed eight (8). The number of potbellied pigs shall not exceed two (2)...References to domesticated animals shall mean domesticated animals that have been weaned. Domesticated animals are not counted toward the animal limitations unti...

Osceola County Code § 4-3; § 4-29(c), (f)(6); § 4-40

Community cat means any free roaming cat that may be cared for by one or more residents in the area, known or unknown. Community cats that are ear-tipped indicate the animal is sterilized and vaccinated against rabies at least one time... Community cats are exempted from the licensing requirement as they have no known legal owners. However, community cat caregivers shall make their best effort ...

Osceola County Code § 4-9(e)

Any fertile dog or cat impounded on three (3) or more occasions shall be sterilized prior to the release of same by the department. If the ownership of the dog or cat is discoverable upon reasonable investigation, written notification by hand-delivery or U.S. First Class mail of the county's intent to sterilize the animal shall be given to the owner or keeper of the animal. The owner may petiti...

Osceola County Code § 4-42(a)-(b)

An adoption-based business model shall be required for the retail adoption of dogs or cats at a pet shop whereby all dogs or cats will be sourced from stray and unwanted pets that have been taken in by an animal shelter or animal rescue organization. Dogs and cats purchased directly from a commercial breeder, a hobby breeder or indirectly through some other intermediary such as a broker or whol...