Violations and Citations

Dogs locked up victims of animal abuse

Animal Control Citations - 92.27(a) & 92.99

Animal Control Officers may issue citations to citizens who violate city Animal Control ordinances. The citations are issued for civil, not criminal, infractions.

Currently, the citation amounts are as follows:

  • First Offense: $50
  • Second Offense: $100
  • Third Offense: $200 plus mandatory court appearance

See Ch. 92. Animals(PDF, 231KB)

Entry onto Private Property

Animal Control Officers are empowered to enter onto private property and demand animal(s) and or tag(s) be exhibited (this empowerment does not include entry into a dwelling or structure). The officer if empowered to enter upon private property, but not a dwelling house or structure, pursuant to the guidelines provided under section 828.073, Florida Statutes. 

Violations and Information

Animals at Large - 92.03

All domestic pets must be properly restrained at all times while outside the confines of the owner’s home. Restraint is defined as being on a leash no longer than six (6) feet in length, tethered on a lead or chord, within a vehicle or, within an enclosed area or otherwise secured within the property limits of its owner or keeper. Electronic fences are considered restraint when the domestic pet is wearing the electronic collar, the electronic system is working properly, the electronic fence is not closer than five (5) feet from a sidewalk, swale, or property line, and the domestic pet is within the property of its owner or keeper.  Verbal command is not deemed to be proper restraint.

Animals captured running loose are transported to the Animal Control holding facility for the owner to pick up. An impound fee of $25 is charged for each animal picked up, and $10 for each night the animal remains at the animal control compound. If the owner fails to pick up the animal, it is transported to the Humane Society of St. Lucie County (772) 238-5631.

Livestock and Fowl prohibited - 92.05(c)

It is unlawful to keep or permit to run at large any equine, bovine, or swine class, including goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs, cattle, ostriches, other grazing animals, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, pea fowl and pheasant within the corporate limits of the city except is areas zoned as agricultural districts.

Captive Wildlife - 92.05 (a)

The permanent housing of captive wildlife, with the appropriate permitting from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in the City of Port St. Lucie is allowed. Some examples of captive wildlife are as follows: Howler Monkey, Lynx, Panther, Bobcat, Cheetah, Leopard, Wolves, Wolf Hybrids, Badger, Hyena, Dwarf Crocodiles, Alligator, and Ostrich.

Female Pet(S) in Heat - 92.07

It is unlawful to permit female domestic pets to be unrestrained or in any public place while they are in heat (estrus). They must be securely confined in a building or enclosure so they are inaccessible to males of a like species.

Bite Cases and Quarantine Requirements - 92.08

A domestic animal that bites an individual must be quarantined for 10 days from the date of bite, and a bite report filed with the Animal Control Division. If the animal’s rabies shot is current then the animal may be quarantined at home. However, if the animal is not current, it is impounded and quarantined at either the St. Lucie County Humane Society or the animal’s veterinarian at the owner’s expense.

Noisy Animals Prohibited - 92.09

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, own, or maintain outdoors any animal which causes a noise disturbance by barking, yelping, howling, screeching, squawking, chirping, cawing, crowing or whistling between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Additionally, the animal may not bark, yelp, howl, screech, squawk, chirp, caw, crow, or whistle for continuous periods of five minutes or more at any other time of the day.

Animals kept indoors cannot make any noises which are audible from a distance of one hundred (100) feet or more from the property line where the animal is located.

Animal Neglect - 92.14

Animal neglect cases are typically when one of the following occurs:

  • No water or food is provided for the animal
  • No shelter is provided for the animal
  • The owner of the animal does not provide necessary veterinary care
  • The animal is kept in unsanitary or inhumane conditions
  • There is insufficient air ventilation or circulation provided
  • The owner or keeper of any animal maintained on a tether must be outside with the animal.  The animal must be free of entanglements. All tethers must be a minimum of 6 feet in length, or appropriate for the breed. No choke or prong type collars may be used unless the animal is under the handler’s direct control.
  • Animals kept outdoors must be brought into the residence if the outside heat index temperature reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or if the wind chill factor reaches 35 degrees Fahrenheit or lower; or during severe inclement weather such as severe thunderstorm, tropical storm/hurricane warnings or events, tornadoes or flooding.

Removal of Animal Defecation - 92.16

It is unlawful for any person to allow an animal to defecate upon private property not owned by the person or upon public property, including but not limited to sidewalks and swales, without removing the defecation.

Teasing of an Animal - 92.17

In the City of Port St. Lucie it is unlawful for any person to intentionally tease any animal. Should an investigation conclude a minor child was the violator, their parent or legal guardian may be held accountable for their actions.

Number of Domestic Pet(s) Allowed - 92.18

To reduce the unintended breeding of domestic pets and overpopulation in local shelters, the City has placed limitations on the number of unsterilized pets allowed per household within the City of Port St. Lucie.  No more than three (3) unsterilized domestic pets, over the age of six (6) months, can be kept within a residential zoning district.  Exceptions to this are allowed if the domestic pets are registered with a national or international club, association, or registry and the owner certifies in writing that the animals are being used, trained, or considered for use in show(s), sporting competition(s), or other similar competitive event(s) held by one or more national or international clubs, associations, or registries. Domestic pets included under this restriction are dogs and cats with a maximum of two (2) Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs in the overall total number of pets residing at the residence.

Animals in Vehicles - 92.21 (a)

Many of our residents especially out of state visitors do not realize how quickly heat can build up inside their vehicle, even with the windows partially open. For that reason, a citation may be issued to violators who place or confine an animal or allow it to be placed of confined or to remain in an unattended vehicle without sufficient ventilation or under conditions of for such a period of time as may reasonably be expected to endanger the health or well-being of such animal due to heat, lack or water, or such other circumstances as may be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death.

Unrestrained Dogs/Truck Beds - 92.21 (b)

A citation may be issued to an owner who does not properly restrain their dog in the unenclosed area of a motor vehicle (truck bed). A restraint limits the animal from reaching the outside perimeter of the vehicle and prevents the animal from being thrown out of the bed of a pick-up.

Responsible ownership – 92.22

Any person having possession or custody of an animal must exercise reasonable care and to take all necessary precautions to protect other people, property, and animals from injuries or damage which might result from his or her animal’s behavior, regardless of whether the behavior was motivated by mischievousness, playfulness, or ferocity.

Animal hoarding prohibited – 92.24

Any person collecting animals while failing to provide them with humane/adequate care; to collect dead animals that are not properly disposed of; and to collect, house, or harbor animals in filthy, unsanitary conditions that constitute a health hazard to the people in the residence, animals being kept, and/or to the animals or residents of adjacent property is in violation of this section.

Interference with an Animal Control Officer - 92.28

It is unlawful to forcibly interfere with, hinder, obstruct, resist, or threaten with bodily harm an Animal Control Officer in the performance of their duties, or to mislead, give false information, or provide a false report to an Animal Control Officer, unlawfully seek to release any animal in the custody of an officer, or refuse to surrender an animal upon the lawful demand by any officer

Animal Licensing - 92.40

All domestic pets over the age of 6 months old must have a City of Port St. Lucie animal license displayed on their collar. The cost for a license is $5 for an altered animal (spay or neutered), or $15 for an unaltered animal. Proof of current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian is required, and licenses may be obtained from most Port St Lucie veterinarians, and at the Animal Control Department 1133 S.W. Macedo Blvd., or by mail. Lifetime licenses are now available for purchase at the Animal Control office for a one time fee of $5. Requirements for the lifetime license are that the animal is spayed/neutered and micro-chipped.

Sick or Injured Animals

If a domestic animal is either sick or injured the owner is immediately contacted to obtain medical treatment. If the owner is unknown, then the animal is taken to the St Lucie Humane Society for treatment. Sick or injured wildlife that is in need of immediate medical attention is transported to a local veterinarian for treatment. and then remanded to the care of a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator until the animal can be released back into the wild.

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