Floridians love animals, and their households are full of them. With a population of over 20 million, the Sunshine State is the third most populous in the U.S. That means Florida has a lot of residents, which potentially translates to a lot of pets.
According to Dogster, the number of pet owners in Florida is estimated to be 12.5 million. Dogs are more popular than cats in Florida, which begs the question of how many pets are allowed per household in the state. At the state level, the number of legal pets you can own is almost limitless.
At the local level, however, there may be restrictions. In other words, each municipality in the Sunshine State is authorized to pass ordinances regulating the number of household pets. Ultimately, the maximum number of pets you can own in Florida depends on the animal ordinance or zoning regulations in your city or county.
You can obtain a copy of these regulations from your local animal control office or city clerk. Alternatively, you can search online for your city's or county's "Code of Ordinances" and locate the "Animal" section. If you live in Orange County, FL, for example, you can search for "Orange County, FL Code of Ordinances" on Google. The result should look something like the screenshot below...
After clicking on the result, locate the animal section of the Code, which should be on the left side of the page.
Here, you will find all the laws pertaining to animal ownership and care in Orange County, FL. Meanwhile, below, I have compiled a list of a few Florida cities and the maximum number of pets you can own in them.
Miami
The city of Miami permits no more than 4 dogs six months of age or older on properties less than one acre or in any individual residence unit. On property that is at least one acre but less than two acres, a maximum of 6 dogs are allowed. Then up to eight dogs on property that is two acres or more. The Miami City Code does not limit the number of cats you can own. Miami has a "Noisy Dog" law, which prohibits you from keeping a dog that frequently or habitually barks, yelps, or howls, thereby creating annoyance to neighbors.
Miami Beach
The maximum number of pets you can own in the city of Miami Beach, FL, is 10. Of the 10 animals, more than 4 can't be dogs, meaning owning more than 4 dogs isn't allowed within the city limits. However, you can keep up to 10 cats and 0 dogs on your premises. All Miami Beach dog owners are required to keep their animals leashed at all times.
St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, FL, you can own up to 5 dogs at your residence, which must be either a single-family unit or a duplex. But if your residence is multi-family, the maximum number of dogs you can own is 3. According to the City Code, one dog is equivalent to two cats. This means up to 10 cats for single-family residences and 6 cats for multi-family residences.
Port St. Lucie
The City of Port St. Lucie limits the number of domestic pets per household to a total of 5. Domestic animals to which this restriction applies include dogs, cats, and potbellied pigs. But you can not own more than two Potbellied Pigs in the overall total number of pets. You may own 5 dogs or cats or a combination of both not exceeding five in total. All domestic pets over the age of 6 months residing in Port St. Lucie are required by law to be licensed and wear a collar displaying the license tag.
Palm Bay
The maximum number of dogs permitted per household in Palm Bay city's residential zoning districts is 4. The animals included under this restriction are only dogs. This means you can own as many cats as you can properly care for within the city limits of Palm Bay. Please refer to the Palm Bay Code or Ordinances for additional info.
Palm Beach
If you are a resident of the town of Palm Beach, you are permitted to own a total of 7 domestic animals. However, this limitation does not apply to dogs or cats under three months of age. The Town Code requires that you secure a tag or license for each dog or cat from the county animal control department.
Pompano Beach
In the city of Pompano Beach, each household is limited to four dogs or four cats, or any combination of both not exceeding a total of four. Puppies and kittens under the age of five months are not included under this limitation. According to the City Code, owning an unlimited number of dogs and cats in is detrimental to the quality of life within the city. Therefore, any person who violates this law will be fined $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and a mandatory court appearance for a third offense.
Are any dog breeds banned in Florida?
Pit bulls were banned by many Florida municipalities until Oct. 1, 2023, when House Bill 941 went into effect. The law prohibits Florida municipalities from banning dogs based on their breed, weight, or size. Consequently, for the first time in more than 30 years, pit bulls are once again legal in all of the Sunshine State. However, there are dangerous or vicious dog laws in Florida. This law, unlike Breed-specific legislation (BSL), does not restrict dogs based on their breed.
Any breed of dog with a propensity to attack human beings or other domestic animals without provocation in public places will be deemed dangerous or vicious and restricted. In the city of Miami, for instance, it is illegal to own any dog which is mean or vicious. If you are convicted of owning a vicious dog in Miami, the county judge may order the proper agency to destroy your dog.
Top 4 Pet-Friendly Cities in Florida
In 2023, four Florida cities ranked among the pet-friendliest to find an apartment in the United States. The study, which was conducted by Roommates.com, analyzed cities with the highest percentages of people willing to live with a roommate that has a pet. Fascinatingly, four Florida cities were among the top 20 pet-friendliest in the country. These cities include:
- St. Petersburg
- Jacksonville
- Fort Lauderdale
- Tampa
Top Most Popular Dog Breeds in Florida
According to Dogster, the following 10 dog breeds are popular in the Sunshine State:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Rottweiler
- Poodle
- Maltese
- French Bulldog
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Chihuahua
According to Wag, the following 10 dog breeds are popular in the city of Miami, FL:
- Chihuahua
- Golden Retriever
- American Bulldog
- French Bulldog
- Husky
- Dachshund
- Schnauzer
- Mutt
- Maltese
- Beagle
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