Animal Regulations

The narrowing of Wilton Drive will create a better environment where restaurants and other businesses on The Drive can thrive. With this narrowing also come opportunities for restaurant establishments to be able to expand and have additional seating by creating outdoor cafes which their patrons can enjoy. The creation of these new or existing outdoor areas, also allow individuals with dogs to dine at their favorite spot. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulations which prohibit animals in restaurants, but several states, including Florida, have created an exemption where Cities such as ours, can allow dogs in food establishments, as long as a permit is obtained from the City, and it is done in an outdoor seating area. 

We would like to take this opportunity of narrowing The Drive to remind restaurants of our City Code which allow dogs in their business, as long as they have an outdoor seating area, and conform with City regulations to include obtaining a permit from the Community Development Services Department. 

Additional regulations for dogs in restaurants include: 

  • A sign or signs notifying the public that the designated outdoor area is available for use of patrons and patrons’ dogs shall be posted in a conspicuous manner.
  • Patrons shall keep their dogs on a leash at all times and shall keep their dogs under reasonable control.
  • Employees and patrons shall not allow any part of a dog to be on chairs, tables or furnishings. Dogs must remain on the floor and not permitted in the lap of patrons.
  • Employees must wash hands after touching any dog.
  • Waterless hand sanitizers must be provided at all tables in designated outdoor areas.

Click here to view a complete list of the regulations outlined in the City Code Section 050-090.

For any questions or to obtain permits for outdoor cafes as well as dogs in outdoor areas, please contact our Community Development Services Department at (954) 390-2180. 

In order to file any complaints for actions which are in contrast to these regulations, please contact our Code Compliance Unit at (954) 390-2151.

While people mean well when feeding ducks, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife, the consequences can actually cause more harm than good.  Feeding wild animals makes them dependent on humans for food and can disrupt their ability to gather food naturally. In addition, human food is not healthy and can cause malnourishment, injury, or even death if fed the wrong foods.  Providing food also aids in increasing the population of animals that are not native, which exaggerates the likelihood of nuisances throughout a community.  Muscovy ducks, for example, are non-native and often cause property damage when defecating on driveways or decks.  Large concentrations of ducks or geese can pollute nearby waterways and increases the chance of disease transmission to people or other wildlife.   As a result of being fed by humans, some birds gather near roads, increasing the likelihood of vehicle-animal accidents.   

Living in South Florida, we encounter wildlife quite often, and while there are several things we can do to promote their wellbeing and coexist, feeding them is not one of them. In some cases, feeding wildlife is illegal, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Click here for regulations and tips on how to have a positive impact on our wildlife.

Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report potential illegal feeding of wildlife.