Dog Licenses

Orchid is a dog-friendly community and canine companions are welcome to enjoy the beach with their caretakers daily from sunrise to sunset. Following is information about the local laws to be aware of, as you and your furry friend visit the beach together for fun in sun. Please read all the information carefully.

In Brief

• Leashed dogs are permitted on the beach from sunrise to sunset provided the leash is commercially manufactured to restrain a dog of the relevant size or weight and it is not extended more than 8 feet in length. No license is required for dogs on the beach kept on a leash not extended more than 8 feet in length.
• Off-leash dogs (or dogs on a leash extended more than 8 feet) are permitted on the beach during the daily hours of sunrise to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to sunset if they are licensed with the Town. See below for more information and how to apply.

More Details

All caretakers must:

• have no more than 2 dogs in their care on the beach at any time; and,
• carry appropriate bags or “pooper scooper” or other such device for the purpose of picking up their dog’s fecal matter, which must be disposed of at their property. Fecal matter may not be disposed of in trash receptacles provided on the beach by private entities. The leaving of fecal matter on the beach, even if covered over by sand, is a violation; and,
• keep their dog(s) off the dunes, to include the dune slope; and,
• keep their dog(s) from disturbing sea turtle nests; and,
• carry a valid form of identification with them; and,
• ensure that their dogs are not a public nuisance or a danger to persons, dogs or wildlife. Examples include:
  • The dog has bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a human being.
  • The dog has severely injured or killed another animal.
  • The dog has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by 1 or more persons.
  • The dog barked in an excessive or continuous manner, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by 1 or more persons.
  • The caretaker has failed to pick up and dispose of a dog’s fecal matter from the beach or public right of way.
  • The dog has walked or climbed on the beach dunes, including the slope, or has disturbed a sea turtle nest.

Caretakers of licensed dogs that are off-leash or on a leash extended beyond 8 feet from sunrise to 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. to sunset, must:

• maintain constant visual contact with the dogs; and,
• keep the dogs within 60 feet; and,
• have in possession a leash commercially manufactured to restrain each dog that enables the dog to be restrained within not more than 8 feet; and,
• have attached a corresponding dog tag issued by the Town to the dog’s collar or harness.

Penalties

Penalties have been established for violations of the Town’s regulations pertaining to dogs on the beach. See Section 8-3 (f) of the Town Code for details.

Who Can Apply?

The application for a dog license is available to anyone with interest in having their dog off-leash during designated hours on the beach in Orchid. As long as the dog is up-to-date on its rabies vaccination (proof required) and the owner attests that the dog has not been the unprovoked aggressor in a fighting or biting incident, and past violations do not preclude it, a dog license will be made available.

It’s important to be aware that the beach in Orchid does not have direct public access from Route A1A. For persons, who do not have access to the Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club community, the only way onto the beach in Orchid (to which the application applies) is starting on the beach itself, north and south of the Town’s boundaries.

Click on the map to get a larger view in a new window: the orange area is the beach within the Town of Orchid, which can also be described as follows:

• Approximately 1,730 feet south of Golden Sands Beach Park
• Starting on the southern end of the Sanderling Community, recognizable on the beach by its seawall
• Orchid’s beach is approximately 3,400 feet long
• There is no seawall in Orchid
• It ends on the south end before the Summerplace community
• The beach is about 2,340 feet north of Wabasso Beach Park

Please be aware that Indian River County does not allow dogs in its beach parks, even leashed. 

Application Requirements

The application form is available below; please follow the steps carefully!

If you need assistance or would prefer a paper copy of the application, please visit or email Town Hall, or call (772) 581-2770 (extension 2). Your signature on the form can be notarized by Town staff – remember to bring a valid form of identification, as well as proof of your dog’s current rabies vaccination (a veterinarian’s certificate or valid Indian River County animal license).

• Each license is valid from issuance to the end of the Town’s fiscal year, September 30.
• Each license is specific to a particular dog and is not transferable.
• Multiple licenses can be obtained by an owner of multiple dogs – simply complete the application process for each dog.
• If a dog’s rabies vaccination expires during the license period, the owner must supply the Town with up-to-date documentation to keep the license valid.
• Renewals require the same application process to recertify the dog has not been involved in a fighting or biting incident.

Important: a license is not required for dogs that will be kept on a leash not extended more than 8 feet on the beach at all times.

Application Form

Step 1

Complete the Online Application

Fill out all required owner, dog and veterinarian information.

Step 2

Receive Your Completed PDF

After submitting the form, you'll receive a PDF copy of your application to the email you provide.

Step 3

Print the Application

Print the PDF you receive.

Do Not Sign the Dog Owner's Affidavit yet.

Step 4

Have it Notarized

Take the printed application to a notary and sign the Dog Owner's Affidavit in accordance with the notary's instructions. Town staff can also assist with notarization at Town Hall.

Step 5

Return to the Town

Submit the signed and notarized application with a copy of proof of current rabies vaccination to the Town for final processing.

Owner Information

Owner Name(Required)

Cell phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Email(Required)

Under Florida law, email addresses may be subject to disclosure in response to a public records request.

Enter Email Confirm Email

Dog Information

Name(Required)

Breed(Required)

Age(Required)

Weight(Required)

Primary Color(s)(Required)

Was this dog ever the unprovoked aggressor in a biting or fighting incident?(Required)

Yes

No

Veterinarian(Required)

May the Town contact this veterinarian for updated vaccination records when the current document expires?(Required)

Yes

No

Submit

Application Fees

A first-time application fee is $50, which applies per dog. If a license for a dog is applied for every year, then the annual renewal cost is just $20. Keep in mind that you must renew your application every year to enjoy this lower fee; following a lapse, a first-time application fee will apply. A replacement tag for a lost or damaged tag is also $20.

Fees can be paid by cash or check at Town Hall. Access our payment portal to pay online:

Paw-Parazzi: Send Us Your Snaps!

Send us a fun picture of your Happy Orchid Dog by emailing the Town of Orchid to be featured on the Town’s website. All dogs welcome! “Bonus points” if your furry friend is sporting an Orchid-issued dog tag or is enjoying the beautiful beach!