Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CARE; AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 4 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”); AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
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Why Action is Necessary
Applicable law requires the publication of notice and a public hearing for enactment of amendments to the Broward County Code of Ordinances (“Code”).
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) may consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Chapter 4 of the Code is being updated to better protect the health, safety, and welfare of animals and the public, to streamline operational processes within the Animal Care Division (“Division”), and to reflect best practices in the animal welfare community. The amendments also improve readability, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen the division’s ability to enforce the chapter.
The Ordinance proposes amendments to the Code to:
• Revise definitions.
• Repeal the impoundment requirement for nuisance dogs and cats.
• Implement procedures for transferring ownership of found stray animals.
• Revise standards for the manner of keeping animals.
• Implement new regulations for pet traders to obtain an annual permit from the Division, which will result in increased revenue.
• Revise regulations for breeders and guard dog services.
• Require animals to be microchipped and vaccinated before being redeemed by their owners.
• Expand the types of programs that can be implemented by the Director to support and increase donations to the Animal Care Trust Fund and Animal Care Sterilization Trust Fund.
• Update procedures for registering an animal with the Division, including permitting a waiver of the registration fee for service animals.
• Revise procedures relating to aggressive dogs.
• Revise the requirements for reporting animal bites and complying with quarantine requirements.
• Establish an appeals process for muzzle orders.
• Repeal the prohibition of animals in parks and on beaches.
• Revise civil penalties and fees for violations and authorize liens for unpaid penalties.
• Modify procedures for various trust funds to support animal care.
• Enhance community cat management programs and trap-neuter-return initiatives.
Source of Additional Information
Maite Azcoita, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.