Acreage Class I and II

Land-Area Requirements for Class I and II Wildlife

In order to enhance public safety, the facilities for the housing of Class I and Class II wildlife shall meet the requirements of 68A-6.003, Florida Administrative Code. Compliance with these requirements is a necessary condition for licensure. For the purpose of this rule, "facility" shall mean the site at which Class I or Class II wildlife are kept or exhibited. Applicants must submit a completed "Facility Location Information" form with their application. This form is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) web site.

After January 1, 2008, those licensees who desire to expand their inventory to include a family of Class I or Class II animals not previously authorized at their facility location shall comply with the requirements here in. Requests to upgrade wildlife classification authorizations are considered new applications for license purposes.

ALL NEW APPLICANTS FOR CLASS I AND CLASS II WILDLIFE AND REQUESTS FOR UPGRADES TO EXISTING LICENSES, TO INCLUDE A FAMILY NOT PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED AT A FACILITY LOCATION SHALL COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING:

1) Class I wildlife: The facility shall not be constructed on less than five (5) acres.

2) Class II wildlife: The facility shall not be constructed on less than two and one-half acres.

3) The property must be owned or leased by the applicant. If leased, the lease shall be for a term of not less than one year from the date of application and such lease is subject to initial and annual review and approval by the FWC as a condition of granting said license. The total facility shall not be comprised of more than two (2) parcels of land whether leased, owned or a combination of leased or owned parcels. If more than one parcel, the adjacent parcels must have a minimum of 100 feet common linear boundary.

4) The facility shall contain a "buffer zone" of not less than 35 feet between the caged wildlife and the facility property line.

5) For Class I wildlife, the cages of the facility shall be bounded by a fence not less than eight feet in height, constructed of not less than 11 1/2-gauge chain link or strength equivalent. For Class II wildlife, the facility shall be bounded by a fence not less than 8 feet high, or as an alternative, a fence of not less than six feet in height, with a two foot, 45-degree inward angle overhang. The inward angle fencing and vertical fencing shall be constructed of 11 1/2-gauge chain link or strength equivalent. This fencing is to prevent the escape from the property of any wildlife that may escape from primary caging.

6) The following Class I and Class II wildlife are exempt from the requirements as listed above:

a) Permits authorizing possession of infants only including:

1. Class I or Class II carnivores until they reach 25 pounds or six (6) months of age, whichever comes first, provided written documentation is available to verify the age of the animal, the animal is marked or otherwise identifiable, and the animal is provided space for exercise on a daily basis.

2. Class I and Class II primates until they reach the age of twelve (12) months, provided written documentation is available to verify the age of the animal, the animal is marked or otherwise identifiable, and the animal is provided space for exercise on a daily basis.

b) Crocodilians four (4) feet in length or less.

c) Cats: Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), Servais (Leptailurus serval), Caracals (Caracal caracal), Bobcats (Lynx rufus), African golden cats (Profelis aurata), Temminck's golden cats (Profelis temmincki), and Fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrina).

d) Non-human primates: Uakaris (genus Cacajao), Sakis (genus Chiropotes and Pithecea), and Guenons (genus Ceropithecus) not including Patas money, De Brazza's monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus), Blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis), Preuss's monkey (Cercopithecus preussi) or any other non-human primate of the genus Cercopithecus which does not exceed the normal adult weight of fourteen (14) pounds.

e) Any Class I or Class II wildlife exempt from meeting the facility requirements of this rule must meet the following:

1. Class I wildlife shall not be possessed in any multi-unit dwellings or on any premises consisting of less than one quarter acre of land area.

2. Class II wildlife shall not be possessed in multi-unit dwellings unless the dwelling in which they are housed is equipped with private entrance, exit and yard area.

3. A fence sufficient to deter entry by the public, which shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in height, shall be present around the premises wherein Class I or Class II animals are housed or exercised outdoors.

No person may possess Class I wildlife for personal use.

For more information regarding land-area requirements for Class I and II wildlife, view Rule 68A-6.003, Florida Administrative Code. Once at this web site, enter 68A-6 in the "By Chapter Number" box under "Search for Rules in the Florida Administrative Code," then click on the "GO" button. When the list of rules appears, click on the link to rule number 68A-6.003.

We appreciate your interest in the land-area requirements. If you have any questions, please visit Ask FWC, write to FWC, Division of Law Enforcement, Captive Wildlife Office, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, or call (850) 488-6253.