Pet Deposit Rules in Florida (FL)
Florida is classified as Landlord-Friendly for tenants with pets. Florida has no statutory limit on pet deposits or security deposits. Landlords can charge any amount for pet deposits, non-refundable pet fees, and monthly pet rent. Monthly pet rent is allowed. Non-refundable pet fees are permitted.
Detailed Pet Deposit Rules in Florida
Pet Deposit and Security Deposit Limits
Florida has no statutory cap on security deposits or pet deposits. However, Florida banned breed-specific legislation statewide (Fla. Stat. § 767.14), so landlords cannot restrict specific dog breeds. Common practice is $200-$500 pet deposit plus $10-$35/month pet rent.
Breed and Weight Restrictions
Florida has banned breed-specific legislation, meaning landlords cannot restrict or prohibit specific dog breeds. Landlords may still impose reasonable size or weight restrictions, and they can address individual animals that pose a documented safety threat. However, blanket breed bans (such as "no pit bulls") are not permitted.
Weight restrictions are allowed in Florida. Many landlords set weight limits (commonly 25-75 pounds) as part of their pet policy. These restrictions do not apply to service animals.
Service Animal Protections
Under federal law (ADA and FHA), landlords in Florida cannot charge pet deposits, pet fees, or pet rent for service animals. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities and are not considered pets under the law. Landlords may ask only two questions: (1) Is the animal required because of a disability? (2) What task has the animal been trained to perform? They cannot require documentation, certification, or registration for service animals. Breed and weight restrictions also do not apply to service animals.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Rules
Florida enacted HB 1411 (2020) with specific ESA fraud penalties. Landlords may request ESA documentation but cannot charge pet deposits for verified ESAs.
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not require specific training — they provide therapeutic benefit through companionship. Landlords may request documentation from a licensed healthcare provider (physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, etc.) confirming that the tenant has a disability-related need for the animal. Online ESA "registrations" or "certifications" are not sufficient documentation under current HUD guidance (2020).
Applicable Law
The primary statute governing pet deposits and security deposits in Florida is Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Federal laws that also apply include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for service animals and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) for emotional support animals. Tenants who believe their rights have been violated can file complaints with HUD (1-800-669-9777), their state attorney general, or a local tenant rights organization.
Tenant Rights Checklist for Florida
- Non-refundable deposits may be allowed. Check your lease for whether your pet deposit is labeled as refundable or non-refundable.
- Your landlord cannot charge a pet deposit, fee, or rent for a service animal (federal law).
- Your landlord must make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals with proper documentation (federal law).
- Monthly pet rent is allowed in your state. Typical amounts range from $25 to $75 per pet.
- Non-refundable pet fees are allowed in your state. Make sure your lease clearly states whether your pet charge is a refundable deposit or a non-refundable fee.
- Your state has banned breed-specific restrictions. Landlords cannot reject your pet based solely on breed.
Landlord Obligations in Florida
- Must comply with federal ADA and FHA requirements for service animals and ESAs.
- Must clearly disclose all pet-related charges (deposits, fees, rent) in the lease agreement.
- Cannot impose breed-specific restrictions on pets under state law.
- Cannot retaliate against tenants who assert their rights regarding service animals or ESAs.
- Must maintain the property in habitable condition regardless of pet-related deposits collected.
States with Similar Pet Deposit Rules
These states have the same type of pet deposit regulation as Florida (No Statutory Limit):
| State | Pet Deposit Rule | Pet Rent? | Non-Refundable? | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (FL) | No statutory limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Alabama (AL) | No statutory limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Colorado (CO) | No statutory limit on pet deposit specifically | Yes | Yes | |
| Georgia (GA) | No statutory limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Idaho (ID) | No statutory limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Indiana (IN) | No statutory limit | Yes | Yes |
Need More Information?
Use our pet deposit lookup tool to quickly check any state's rules, or browse all 50 states + DC to compare pet deposit laws across the country. Remember: this information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, contact a local attorney or your state's tenant rights organization.