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Regulations for Nonnative, Conditional, and Prohibited Species

FWC Commissioners approved rule changes to Chapter 68-5, F.A.C. on February 25, 2021.  Possession of these species by eligible entities is now limited to the purposes of research, educational exhibition, control or eradication, and for qualifying commercial sales (green iguanas and tegus only) and pet owners (green iguanas and tegus only).

Important Dates For New Rules

Effective date for new rules: April 29, 2021

90-day grace period to apply for a permit, upgrade indoor caging, and have any qualifying animals PIT tagged ends: July 28, 2021

180-day grace period to upgrade outdoor caging requirements for Prohibited reptile species ends: October 26, 2021

Persons or businesses in possession of the newly listed Prohibited reptiles for commercial sale use have until July 28, 2021 to liquidate their inventory in Florida. These species may not be possessed for commercial sale purposes in Florida after July 28, 2021, except green iguanas or tegus possessed by qualifying entities under a limited exception commercial use permit.

Apply for a permit

You can apply for a permit today.

The Florida Administrative Code and the Florida Statutes govern the importation and introduction of nonnative fish and wildlife:

  • It is unlawful for any person to possess, transport or otherwise bring into the state or to release or introduce in the state any freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrate, marine plant, marine animal, or wild animal life that is not native to the state without a permit from the Commission, except fathead minnow, variable platy, coturnix quail, and ring-necked pheasant. (68-5.001, F.A.C.)
  • It is unlawful to import into the state or place in any of the fresh waters of the state any freshwater fish of any species without having first obtained a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (379.28, F.S.)
  • It is unlawful to import for sale or use, or to release within this state, any species of the animal kingdom not indigenous to Florida without having first obtained a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (379.231, F.S.)
  • It is unlawful to import or possess any marine plant or marine animal, not indigenous to the state, which, due to the stimulating effect of the waters of the state on procreation, may endanger or infect the marine resources of the state or pose a human health hazard, except as provided in this section. (379.26, F.S.)

Rules concerning Conditional and Prohibited nonnative species are found in Chapter 68-5, F.A.C. More information is available in Florida Administrative Code and Florida Statutes.