OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A standing-room-only crowd filled the McPherson Government Campus Auditorium on March 5, 2025, for the Marion County Land Development Regulation Commission meeting and public hearing.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously, 5-0, to recommend modifying the definition of a kennel to include four dogs and/or cats in aggregate. However, it did not recommend advancing amendment 4.3.28, which addressed limitations on ownership and possession of dogs and cats.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has scheduled meetings to discuss land development code updates on March 25 at 9 a.m. and April 8 at 6 p.m.
Clarifications were provided regarding the number of animals allowed under different circumstances, such as special use permits, kennel permits, hobby breeders, high-volume owners, and nonprofit rescues. Additionally, regulations requiring registration with animal services when ownership exceeds 15 but remains under 30 were explained.
Throughout the evening, both citizens and commission members frequently sought clarification on definitions and their implications for specific situations. These discussions followed three prior workshops that reviewed definitions and proposed a new section regarding ownership limitations, allowing any category to apply for a special use permit to exceed permitted numbers.
Following public comments and considerable feedback, county staff revisited their approach, focusing on refining definitions rather than imposing numerical restrictions.
Changes from the New Animal Ordinance
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners adopted a new animal ordinance in February 2025, significantly altering permit requirements. The ordinance redefined the former “animal kennel license” issued by animal services and adjusted definitions for animal-related businesses, including dog daycares, boarding facilities, and grooming services. It also established classifications for 501(c)(3) rescues, sanctuaries, hobby breeders, and commercial breeders. What was previously labeled as a “large kennel” was renamed “high-volume owner,” though no substantive changes were made beyond the name.
|RELATED: Marion County Commission reviews key changes to animal control ordinance
A 2019 regulation required owners of more than 15 dogs or cats in aggregate to obtain a kennel license from animal services. That requirement remains unchanged under the new ordinance, except for the name change to “high-volume owner.” However, new permit requirements now mandate additional inspection information, proof of a veterinary relationship, and other regulatory measures for those with more than 15 animals.
These definitions have now been incorporated into the land development code. Some confusion arose due to the term “kennel license” used by animal services and the separate “kennel special use permit.” The county aimed to clarify these distinctions, initially workshopping definitions for animal-related businesses, animal-related organizations, commercial breeders, and high-volume owners.
Definition of Kennel
A key change discussed at the meeting was the redefinition of “kennel.” Under current regulations, a kennel is any location where four or more dogs or cats over four months old are groomed, bred, raised, boarded, or trained for competition or income. The new proposal defines a kennel as a high-volume owner with more than 30 dogs and/or cats.
Under the proposed land development code, individuals classified as kennels can apply for a special use permit in any zoning category. In B-4 zoning, an outdoor kennel is permitted by right, while in B-5 zoning, a kennel is allowed outright. This modification ensures that any zoning category can apply for a special use permit regarding personal animals. Regardless of whether a property is residential or agricultural, exceeding 30 dogs and/or cats in aggregate would necessitate a special use permit.
Previously, the threshold for requiring a permit was eight or ten animals; the new limit of 30 represents a significant shift, noted David Tillman, LDRC chair.
Clarity on Compliance
Ensuring clarity in regulations, particularly regarding the number of animals allowed in residential neighborhoods for nonprofit rescues, proved challenging. Many attendees appeared uncertain about compliance requirements and proper permitting.
Dana Olesky, Marion County chief assistant attorney, explained that under the definition of an “animal-related organization,” rescues are considered businesses engaged in rehoming animals and therefore require a special use permit to operate in residential neighborhoods.
There are some 501s operating with large numbers of animals on properties as small as .3 acres, Olesky mentioned.
While the county values its partnerships with animal rescues, regulation remains necessary.
“In the 15 years I’ve been at the county, we’ve had to take animals from rescues, the rescues who are not good neighbors, who’ve had those special use permits and had been back in front of the county on complaints from neighbors,” said Olesky. “We probably have a lot of rescues that are out of compliance right now and don’t have those special use permits. I think some of them will go through and have no issues. From staff’s perspective, that’s a regulation that’s already in place, much like the commercial breeders. I’m not putting any new regulations on either of those two entities.”
One concern raised by David Tillman, LDRC chair, was the $1,000 fee for special use permits, particularly for rescues that provide a service to the county by reducing costs.
“Staff is going to spend the same amount of time on those applications as they would on any other special use permit applications, and that fee is based on staff time,” said Olesky.
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