Dogs in Florida, United States: rules, tax and travel
Dogs and cats need rabies shots from 4 months, owners are strictly liable for bites, and local dog rules may not target breed, weight or size.
Counties and cities set licensing and leash rules; civil penalties are capped at $500 (828.27).
The national rules for United States apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
Fla. Stat. 767.14 (as amended by ch. 2023-253, effective 1 Oct 2023) bars any local dangerous-dog regulation specific to breed, weight or size, which ended Miami-Dade County's 1989 pit bull ban. [1]
Registration and microchip
No statewide dog licence; counties and municipalities license and regulate (Fla. Stat. 767.07, 828.27). Dogs classified as dangerous need a yearly certificate of registration (767.12).[2]
Leash and muzzle
No general statewide leash law; running at large is left to local rules (767.07). A dangerous dog must be muzzled and leashed outside its enclosure (767.12(5)).[2]
Other rules
Rabies: dogs, cats and ferrets 4 months or older; revaccinate 12 months after the first shot, then per the vaccine label; a vet may exempt for health (Fla. Stat. 828.30).[3]
Bite liability: strict. The owner is liable for bites in public or where the victim is lawfully present, regardless of the dog's history; reduced by the victim's own negligence; a posted Bad Dog sign does not protect the owner for victims under 6 (Fla. Stat. 767.04).[4]
Breed rules: local dog regulation may not be specific to breed, weight or size (Fla. Stat. 767.14).[2]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/767.14 (official)
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter767/All (official)
- law.justia.com/codes/florida/title-xlvi/chapter-828/section-828-30/ (secondary source)
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/767.04 (official)