Miami, FL · Dog owner compliance
A free, no-signup check of Miami dog rules — rabies, microchip, spay/neuter, leash, and pet limits — built from official city and state sources.
Every rule below links to its official source. Last verified within the last 90 days.
Florida law requires dogs (and cats and ferrets) 4 months or older to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, with a booster 12 months later and then on the vaccine's schedule.
Miami-Dade does not require all dogs to be microchipped, but chips are mandatory for dogs that are sold, redeemed from impound, declared dangerous or aggressive, or used for breeding.
Miami-Dade County requires every dog over 4 months old to be licensed and to wear its tag at all times; you have 30 days from the dog entering the county to register.
Miami-Dade does not require an intact permit or mandatory spay/neuter for pet dogs, but intact dogs pay a higher county license fee, an intact female in heat must be confined, and breeding females must be microchipped.
Miami-Dade requires dogs to be restrained — it is unlawful to let a dog be at large on public property, the shared areas of private buildings, or someone else's property; off-leash is allowed only in designated areas.
In Miami-Dade single-family (RU-1) zoning only "customary pets" are allowed; county Animal Services guidance applies this as roughly 4 dogs on under 1 acre, 6 on 1–2 acres, and 8 on more than 2 acres, and keeping more needs a kennel license.
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This page is general information, not legal advice. Pet laws change and vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm current requirements with your local animal-services agency in Miami and your veterinarian before acting.