Other Proposed Changes for Nonnative Species
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering changes to rule 68-5, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) that will address Grandfathered Prohibited Species for Personal Use Permit renewals, caging requirements for juvenile tegus and green iguanas, FWC law enforcement options for placement of Prohibited species, and clarification regarding importation of Conditional or Prohibited species kept as pets.
One of the goals is to identify reasonable ways to ensure accountability and compliance for permitted individuals keeping Prohibited species as pets. The proposed changes will also seek to provide FWC Law Enforcement with additional options on where to place Prohibited species and maintain protections for Florida’s native wildlife resources.
Proposed Changes to Chapter 68-5, F.A.C.
Additional details below highlight information for each of the topics to be covered at the virtual public meetings. Draft rule language pertaining to these concepts will become available at a later date.
Updates in BOLD below!
Currently, anyone who had a Prohibited species as a pet prior to its regulation as a Prohibited species can keep their pet(s) for its lifetime with a no-cost permit from the FWC. This permit requires annual renewal and does not allow the permittee to acquire new Prohibited species as pets.
The proposed changes would remove the annual renewal application requirement for these pet owners. Pet owners who are in legal possession of Prohibited species would only need to apply for the no-cost permit one time (e.g., within the grace period of 90-days allotted in rule after a species is designated as Prohibited). The pet owner would need to inform the FWC when a Prohibited species kept as a pet dies, is rehomed through the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, leaves the facility/state, or if the owner’s address changes.
NEW! Staff are now proposing to remove the annual renewal application requirements for pet owners who have Prohibited species as a pet prior to its regulation as such. The grace period associated with this permit type would be removed, but pet owners would need to show the FWC proof that they had the animal(s) prior to its listing as Prohibited.
Prohibited species pet permits would be valid for the life of the pet, without annual renewal requirements. The pet owners would need to inform the FWC via email or in writing when a pet dies, is rehomed through the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, leaves the facility/state, or if the owner’s address changes within 90 days of these changes.
Additionally, people moving into Florida could apply for their Prohibited species pet permit if they can provide the documentation of pet ownership prior to the species designation in Florida as Prohibited and they would need to meet biosecurity, PIT tagging, and caging requirements in rule.
Pet owners would still not be allowed to acquire additional Prohibited species as pets with this type of permit.
NEW! Staff are also now proposing to allow Prohibited species exhibition permit holders operating at residential properties to retire any Prohibited tegus or green iguanas previously authorized for use in educational exhibition by transferring them to a Prohibited species pet permit.
- This transfer would be authorized once per animal and the newly permitted pet could no longer be used for exhibition purposes or transferred to another permit.
Currently, male and female green iguanas and tegus cannot be housed in the same cage or enclosure to prevent breeding of the species. The proposed changes would allow people in legal possession of green iguanas or tegus under 9” snout-vent length (SVL) to keep their animals in the same enclosure. Animals under this size should not be reproductively active. Any individual over 9” SVL would still need to be kept in its own enclosure to prevent breeding.
Any eggs laid by green iguanas or tegus must be destroyed immediately.
*Note: Rule 68A-6.01214(1,b) also identifies caging requirements for reptiles and amphibians and would still apply.
Updates in BOLD below!
Currently, facilities with authorization to exhibit Prohibited species at residential properties are not able to acquire additional Prohibited species beyond what is in their current inventory.
The proposed changes would allow facilities with authorization to exhibit Prohibited species at residential properties the ability to acquire additional Prohibited species through FWC action and permit amendment.
The proposed changes would allow FWC Law Enforcement (LE) to temporarily or permanently place Prohibited species with Prohibited species exhibition facilities operating at residential properties. FWC and the facility must first complete appropriate documentation of transfer of additional Prohibited species to the facility. The facility must then immediately request an amendment to their existing permit on the specific animal(s) accepted.
The proposed changes would also allow FWC to provide authorization to house Prohibited species at permitted Prohibited species exhibition facilities when FWC LE needs to place Prohibited species temporarily (less than 72 hours). Temporary placement paperwork would be completed by FWC LE in coordination with the temporary holding facility. In these situations, the permit holder does not need to request permit amendments but must meet caging requirements for Prohibited species prior to acquisition of these animals and must maintain a copy of the temporary acquisition paperwork at the facility.
NEW! Staff are now proposing changes that would allow facilities with authorization to exhibit Prohibited species at a residential property to acquire additional Prohibited species through FWC action and permit amendment.
- FWC Law Enforcement (LE) could temporarily or permanently place Prohibited species at permitted exhibition facilities operating at residential properties.
- Temporary placement paperwork would be completed by FWC LE in coordination with the temporary holding facility. The permit holder must meet caging requirements for Prohibited species prior to acquisition and must maintain a copy of the temporary acquisition paperwork at the facility.
- If the animal becomes available and the permit holder in temporary possession has interest in keeping it, they may request an amendment to their existing permit to keep the Prohibited animal(s).
Updates in BOLD below!
Currently, pet owners cannot import into Florida any Conditional or Prohibited species kept as pets; however, this rule language could be stated more clearly. The proposed changes would clarify existing rule language to state Conditional and Prohibited species cannot be imported into Florida for the purposes of personal possession.
NEW! This concept is no longer being proposed by staff. See above information regarding Prohibited species pet permit changes.
Transshipment is currently not defined in rule. Some business models require export of Prohibited species out of country via certain ports, such as the Miami airport, and these shipments are commonly referred to as transshipments. These shipments do not leave a bonded facility, port or airport, and do not legally enter the State of Florida in some cases. Current practice is that Prohibited species exports that are transshipments are not subject to Florida rule.
Staff are now proposing to define the term “transshipment.” This term refers to a shipment of wildlife that stops temporarily at an intermediate destination prior to arriving at its final destination, typically at an intermediate bonded facility, port or airport. The temporary destination would need to be bonded to be exempt from Florida rules pertaining to the importation or transport of Prohibited species. A bonded facility, port or airport is a secure storage location under customs supervision, where businesses can store imported or exported wildlife without having to clear customs.
Virtual Public Meetings
To obtain feedback on these concepts from the public, the FWC hosted six virtual public meetings. The virtual public meetings covered the following topics and took place during the below dates and times. Recordings of the meetings and more details on each topic can be found below.
Series 1 Topics:
- Sales of Wild-Caught Green Iguanas in Florida
- Qualifications for sales of green iguanas
- When qualifying entities can apply for a permit
- Transfer of Sales Permits to Spouse, Beneficiary, or New Business Owner
- Transfer Allowances for Eradication/Control Permit Holders to Prohibited Species Sales Permit Holders
- Batch Marking Wild-Caught Green Iguanas
Power Point Presentation for Series 1 Presentation
Series 2 Topics:
- Prohibited Species Pet Permit Renewals
- Caging Requirements for Juvenile Tegus or Green Iguanas
- Options for FWC Law Enforcement Placement of Prohibited Species
- Conditional or Prohibited Species Cannot be Imported into Florida for Personal Use
Power Point Presentation for Series 2 Presentation
Series 1 Meeting Chat Transcripts
Series 2 Meeting Chat Transcripts
*Note: Meetings of the same series number covers the same content. For example, if you attend a meeting listed in Series 1 you do not need to attend another meeting in that series.
Please note, the last available opportunity to comment on these proposed rule changes via webform and have your comments quantified for the May Commission meeting was May 5, 2025.
The public is welcome to continue to submit comments on these proposed rule changes by emailing NonnativeSpeciesRules@MyFWC.com. All comments received after 12:00 p.m. on May 5, 2025, will be reviewed by staff as we continue through the rule making process. Commissioners will consider the proposed rule changes at the upcoming May 21-22, 2025, meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the proposed changes would require Grandfathered Prohibited Species for Personal Use permit holders to report if a Prohibited species kept as a pet dies, is rehomed through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, leaves the state, or is housed in a new location in Florida. Pet owners could submit this information to the FWC by emailing NonnativePermitApps@MyFWC.com.
Juvenile green iguanas or tegus under 9” snout-vent length (SVL) could be kept in the same cage or enclosure. Any individual animal over 9” SVL must be kept in its own enclosure to prevent breeding. Any eggs of green iguanas or tegus must be destroyed immediately.
Rule 68A-6.01214(1,b) also identifies caging requirements for reptiles and amphibians and would still apply.
Yes, once an individual green iguana or tegu grows larger than 9” snout-vent length, it would need to be housed in its own enclosure to prevent breeding.
Generally, no – permit holders with authorization from the FWC to exhibit Prohibited species at residential properties are not able to acquire new Prohibited species.
However, these proposed changes would allow the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement to place Prohibited species with permittees authorized to exhibit Prohibited species at a residential property. This activity would occur through the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement only after completing appropriate documentation of transfer of additional Prohibited species to the facility and would require the permit holder to request an amendment to their existing permit immediately upon acceptance of newly acquired Prohibited species.
No, Conditional and Prohibited nonnative species cannot be acquired as new pets in the state of Florida, nor can they be imported into Florida.
No, the importation of Conditional and Prohibited species for personal use is not allowed in Florida.
We have additional information and FAQ pages set up for the following topics:
