Animal Ordinances in Santa Rosa County, FL (2026)

FS 823.14(4)(a) (Florida Right to Farm Act)

No farm operation which has been in operation for 1 year or more since its established date of operation and which was not a nuisance at the time of its established date of operation shall be a public or private nuisance if the farm operation conforms to generally accepted agricultural and management practices.

Santa Rosa County Animal Control Ordinance, Sec. 18(9); 'Direct Control' defined Sec. 2(8)

It shall be a violation of this Ordinance for any animal to be off the premises of its owner or person responsible for said animal, without being in direct control of its owner, person responsible therefor, or other person. Dogs not under direct control shall be considered an animal nuisance and may be seized, restrained, impounded, and disposed of.

Santa Rosa County Animal Control Ordinance Sec. 2(7), adopting FS 767.11

"Dangerous dog" means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority: Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property; Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property.

FS 586.10 (2025)

The authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to adopt rules on the placement and location of registered inspected managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the department and supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof.

Santa Rosa County Animal Control Ordinance, Sec. 2(2)

"Animal" - The term "animal" as used in this Ordinance shall mean any male, female, or altered member of the canine or feline species, except those classified by the Florida Fish and Game Commission as wildlife.

Santa Rosa County Animal Control Ordinance, Sec. 18(10) (Animal Neglect/Cruelty); nuisance Sec. 18(8)

Any owner or person, who neglects an animal by reason of failing to provide adequate food, drink proper medical care or shelter, which does not result in serious injury or death to the animal, shall be guilty of a civil infraction punishable as provided in Section 19 of this Ordinance.

Santa Rosa County Animal Control Ordinance, Sec. 2(4) (Community Cat); vaccination Sec. 6

Community cats that are ear tipped are sterilized and have received at least one vaccination against rabies. Community cats are exempt from any licensing, stray, abandonment and at-large provisions directed towards owned animals.