OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) – Pet owners in Marion County are now being asked to share their thoughts about a potential pet limit.
A suggested Marion County Land Development Code amendment would limit the number of dogs and cats allowed in unincorporated parts of the county. It has not been approved by county commissioners.
However, if approved, non-agriculturally zoned properties would be limited to four dogs and eight cats per residence. Agriculturally-zoned properties less than 10 acres cannot exceed six dogs and 10 cats, and properties more than 10 acres are limited to 10 dogs and 15 cats.
The amendment says service animals are exempt and high-volume owners could apply for a Special Use Permit.
This proposal is separate from Animal Services ordinances updated earlier this week.
Florence Sanstrom, who lives on 60 acres in Citra, would be affected. She owns 17 dogs.
“When I heard about what’s going on, my daughter told me about it and I said we got to stop this, this is ridiculous,” she said.
County leaders say they approach each investigation or complaint with an education-first approach. Although the proposed amendment falls under Land Development, any citations would be handled by Animal Control officers on a case-by-case basis.
“People love their animals,” said Julie Karson. “If they’ve had something as a puppy and it is now 15 or 16-years-old, they’re not going to discard it like garbage.”
Karson, who owns eight dogs and two cats in McIntosh, says she would also be affected.
“We pay taxes on this land, we own this land, we keep this land up,” she said. “How are eight to ten dogs going to disrupt that land?”
The pet limit hasn’t reached county commissioners yet because a series of public hearings still need to take place, which leaders encourage concerned pet owners to attend.
“The community can come and understand more of what the suggested changes are, then speak into those changes on the numbers, or if they agree or disagree,” said Marion County Director of Growth Services, Chuck Varadin. “The board works very hard to take into consideration what the community is needing and trying to balance property rights with safe dog and pet ownership.”
The first public hearing is scheduled on March 5 during the Land Development Regulation Commission meeting at the McPherson Governmental Campus auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. in Ocala, starting at 5:30 p.m.
If you are unable to attend, public feedback can be submitted via email to Planning@MarionFL.org or by calling 352-438-2675.
County staff say comments received will be included in the official records of these discussions.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2025 WCJB. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
