Florida made a sweeping change to dog ownership law in 2023, and if you own an American Bully — or plan to — that change directly affects you. The state eliminated the last remaining breed-specific bans in Florida, meaning your dog can no longer be targeted simply because of how it looks or how much it weighs.
That said, the legal picture is not entirely simple. Private landlords, homeowners associations, and insurance companies still operate under their own rules, and Florida’s dangerous dog statute can still reach any individual dog that has demonstrated aggressive behavior. Understanding exactly where you stand — and what rights you have — is the difference between confidently owning your Bully and getting caught off guard.
This guide walks through Florida’s current laws on breed recognition, BSL, dangerous dog classifications, local ordinances, and what to do if your dog is ever targeted.
Is the American Bully Recognized as a Separate Breed Under Florida Law?
Florida law does not name or define the American Bully as a distinct breed within its statutes. The state’s dog-related laws, primarily found in Florida Statute Chapter 767, use behavioral criteria and general definitions rather than a registry of recognized breeds. This means there is no Florida-specific legal status attached to the “American Bully” name itself.
The American Bully (Canis lupus familiaris) was developed in the United States during the 1990s by crossing the American Pit Bull Terrier with other breeds including the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bulldogs, and similar lines. The American Bully is a breed developed in the 1990s by crossing the American Pit Bull Terrier with other breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier and Bulldogs, and the XL Bully is a specific variant characterized by a large size, muscular build, and confident, affectionate demeanor. Because of this lineage, American Bullies are frequently grouped with “pit bull-type dogs” in legal and housing contexts, even though the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) registers them as a separate breed.
This lack of formal breed recognition in Florida law cuts both ways. Your Bully cannot be targeted by name under state statute, but it may still be assessed under any policy that uses the phrase “pit bull-type dog” or references physical characteristics. Knowing how your dog is likely to be categorized — especially by animal control officers, insurers, or landlords — is worth understanding before any dispute arises. You can learn more about the breed’s genetic background in this overview of what breeds make an American Bully.
Pro Tip: Keep your dog’s ABKC registration paperwork and any DNA test results on hand. These documents can help distinguish your American Bully from pit bull-type classifications in housing disputes or animal control encounters.
Does Florida Have Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)?
Florida does not have breed-specific legislation at the state level, and as of October 2023, no local government in the state is permitted to enact it either. Effective October 1, 2023, Florida Senate Bill 942 prohibits public housing authorities or local governments from adopting policies that ban dogs based on breed, size, or weight.
This was a significant shift from decades of prior law. The Florida legislature had previously enacted Florida Statute Section 767.14, which prohibited local governments from adopting breed-specific dog laws, but that law specifically grandfathered in any local ordinance enacted prior to October 1, 1990. That grandfather clause kept Miami-Dade County’s 1989 pit bull ban alive for over 30 years.
On June 16, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that abolishes the remaining municipal and public housing breed-specific restrictions, largely impacting pit bulls. The bill (SB 942) was almost unanimously supported in both chambers, recording only one dissenting vote.
Florida SB 942 amends the earlier 1990 law and removes exemptions for previously enacted breed bans, nullifying those bans entirely. The result is that Florida now stands among the states where no government entity — city, county, or public housing authority — can single out your American Bully by breed. If you’re comparing this framework to how other states handle the issue, see how American Bully laws work in Texas and American Bully laws in Michigan.
Local and County-Level Bully Breed Restrictions in Florida
Because SB 942 removed the grandfather clause, no Florida county or municipality can maintain or create a breed-specific ordinance targeting American Bullies, pit bulls, or any other breed. Beginning on October 1, 2023, no local government — nor any public housing authority — can adopt any regulation or policy to address safety concerns caused by dog attacks if the regulation is specific to a particular dog breed, weight, or size.
Before this change, Miami-Dade County and the City of Sunrise had both operated under grandfathered pit bull bans dating to 1989. The bill removes the grandfather provision in the statute that allowed local governments to enforce breed-specific regulations if the ordinance was adopted before October 1, 1990, effectively nullifying Miami-Dade County’s and the City of Sunrise’s existing regulations and restrictions on owners of pit bull dogs.
What local governments can still do is enforce behavior-based animal control rules that apply to all dogs equally. Local governments cannot label a dog as dangerous based on breed, weight, or size. Leash requirements, noise ordinances, licensing rules, and confinement standards all remain in effect statewide. For specifics on leash rules where you live, check the dog leash laws in Florida and, if you’re in the Tampa Bay area, the leash laws in Pinellas County.
Key Insight: Even though no Florida county can ban your American Bully by breed, local animal control agencies can still enforce behavior-based rules. A dog with a documented bite history may face restrictions regardless of breed.
Insurance, Housing, and Landlord Restrictions on Bully Breeds in Florida
This is where many American Bully owners run into real-world friction. Florida’s SB 942 governs government entities and public housing — it does not reach private landlords, private homeowners associations, or insurance companies.
Private landlords, homeowners’ associations, and insurance companies can still ban dangerous dog breeds in Florida. That means your lease agreement or HOA governing documents may contain breed or weight restrictions that are entirely legal under state law, even if the same restriction would be unlawful if imposed by a city or county government.
This change does not prevent any condominium, cooperative, or homeowners’ association from voting to include breed-specific restrictions in its governing documents. If your HOA or condo association adopts such a rule by a proper vote, it can legally restrict American Bully ownership on that property.
On the insurance side, many homeowners and renters insurance carriers maintain internal lists of restricted breeds. American Bullies, due to their physical similarity to pit bull-type dogs, are frequently included. Before signing a lease or closing on a home, it is worth confirming with your insurer whether your dog affects your coverage or premiums. Some carriers will insure bully breeds with a rider or at a higher rate; others will exclude coverage for dog-bite incidents involving listed breeds entirely.
For broader context on how Florida’s pet-ownership rules intersect with housing, the pet laws in Florida overview covers additional considerations for dog owners across the state.
“Dangerous Dog” Classification and What It Means in Florida
Florida’s dangerous dog framework, codified in Florida Statute Chapter 767, is the mechanism that can still affect your American Bully — not because of its breed, but because of its behavior. Florida SB 942 prohibits public housing authorities or local governments from adopting policies that ban dogs based on breed, size, or weight; however, dogs deemed dangerous may still be restricted, and this determination must be based on an individual dog’s behavior, not their breed or physical characteristics.
Under Chapter 767, a dog can be classified as dangerous if it has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered a person, or if it has severely injured or killed another domestic animal while off the owner’s property. A dog would be deemed dangerous after an investigation. That investigation is typically conducted by local animal control, and the process involves a formal hearing at which you, as the owner, have the right to present evidence.
Once a dog is officially classified as dangerous in Florida, owners typically face a set of requirements that may include:
- Keeping the dog in a securely fenced enclosure
- Displaying “Dangerous Dog” warning signs on the property
- Muzzling the dog when off the property
- Maintaining liability insurance or a surety bond
- Microchipping the dog for identification purposes
- Notifying animal control if the dog is sold, transferred, or moves to a new address
A Florida House proposal would require owners of dangerous dogs to carry liability insurance and implant microchips in the animals, stemming from the 2022 death of a 61-year-old mail carrier mauled by five dogs in Putnam County. Under that proposal, owners of dangerous dogs would be required to maintain liability insurance of $100,000. While this bill (HB 593) was still moving through the legislative process as of the research for this article, it reflects the direction Florida lawmakers are considering for dangerous dog accountability. Always verify the current status of pending legislation with the Florida Senate.
It is also worth noting what the research says about breed identification accuracy. A study conducted by the University of Florida found that one in two dogs labeled as a pit bull by shelter staff — including veterinarians — lacked any DNA signatures consistent with pit bull-type dogs. This matters because misidentification can lead to your American Bully being incorrectly flagged during an animal control investigation.
Requirements for Owning a Bully Breed Under Local Ordinances in Florida
Because Florida prohibits breed-specific ordinances, your local government cannot impose requirements on you specifically because you own an American Bully. The requirements that apply to you are the same ones that apply to every dog owner in your county or city.
Standard requirements across most Florida jurisdictions include:
- Licensing and registration: Most Florida counties require annual dog licenses, typically obtained through your local animal services department. Proof of rabies vaccination is almost always required.
- Leash and confinement rules: Dogs must generally be leashed in public spaces and securely contained on private property. See the leash laws in Florida for a full breakdown.
- Vaccination requirements: Rabies vaccination is required by Florida law for all dogs. Some counties also require proof of other vaccinations for licensing.
- Microchipping: Not universally required for all dogs in Florida, but increasingly common for dogs that have been involved in bite incidents or classified as dangerous.
- Nuisance and noise rules: Excessive barking or aggressive behavior that disturbs neighbors can result in complaints and animal control visits regardless of breed.
If you live in a community governed by an HOA or condo association, read your governing documents carefully. No local government can adopt any regulation specific to a particular dog breed, weight, or size — but this change does not prevent any condominium, cooperative, or homeowners’ association from voting to include such restrictions in its governing documents. Private community rules and government ordinances operate on separate legal tracks in Florida.
Important Note: If you move to a new Florida county or city, check local animal services requirements before you arrive. Licensing fees, vaccination documentation requirements, and confinement standards vary by jurisdiction even though breed-based rules are banned statewide.
For a broader picture of how Florida regulates animals and pets at the local level, the neighbor’s dog on your property laws in Florida and dog chaining laws in Florida pages cover additional rules that affect Bully owners in particular.
What to Do If Your Bully Breed Is Targeted Under a Local Ordinance in Florida
If you receive a notice from animal control, a housing authority, or a local government that targets your American Bully based on breed, size, or weight, you have legal grounds to challenge it. Since October 1, 2023, any such government action violates Florida Statute Section 767.14 as amended by SB 942.
Here are the steps to take if your dog is targeted:
- Request the written ordinance or policy in full. Ask the agency or housing authority to provide the specific rule they are enforcing. If it names a breed, references size or weight as the sole basis for restriction, or was enacted after October 1, 1990 without being a behavior-based rule, it is likely unenforceable under current Florida law.
- Document everything. Keep records of all communications — notices, emails, letters, and phone call logs. Note dates, names of officials, and what was said. This documentation becomes your evidence if the matter escalates.
- Gather proof of your dog’s breed and behavior. ABKC registration papers, DNA test results, training certifications, and veterinary records all help establish that your dog is a registered American Bully with no documented history of aggression.
- Contact a Florida attorney who handles animal law. The Animal Law Section of The Florida Bar maintains resources for owners navigating dog-related legal disputes. An attorney can send a formal letter citing SB 942 and Florida Statute 767.14, which often resolves the matter quickly.
- File a complaint with the appropriate oversight body. If a public housing authority is violating SB 942, you can file a complaint with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation or contact your state legislator’s office for assistance.
- Reach out to advocacy organizations. Groups like Best Friends Animal Society actively supported SB 942 and have experience helping owners navigate post-BSL enforcement issues.
If the situation involves a dangerous dog classification rather than a breed-specific ban, the process is different. Regardless of how well trained or how nice your dog might be, if you live or travel to an area with a bully breed ban, your dog could be impacted — and in some cases even seized. Acting quickly, requesting a formal hearing, and having legal representation are all important steps. Florida’s dangerous dog statute gives owners the right to contest a classification before it becomes final.
It is also worth noting that private landlord and HOA restrictions are not governed by SB 942. If your apartment complex or HOA is enforcing a breed restriction, your recourse lies in reviewing your lease or governing documents, negotiating with management, or seeking housing that does not carry such restrictions. The pit bull laws in Florida page covers the overlapping legal landscape for related bully-type breeds in more detail.
Professional organizations such as the AVMA and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB) have provided statements regarding BSL and its ineffectiveness in decreasing dog bite incidents or severity. Citing these positions — and the science behind them — can be useful when engaging with landlords, HOA boards, or insurance representatives who are relying on outdated assumptions about bully breeds.
Florida’s legal framework now gives American Bully owners more protection than at any previous point in the state’s history. Knowing those protections, and knowing where they end, puts you in the strongest possible position as a responsible owner. For a full picture of how Florida regulates animal ownership across the board, the pet laws in Florida guide is a useful companion resource. You can also compare Florida’s approach with American Bully laws in California to see how different states handle the same issues.