Can you bring your dog into a Florida grocery store? What the law says

• The U.S. Food & Drug Administration's Food Code prohibits live animals in food establishments to prevent contamination.
• Trained service animals are an exception and are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and pets are not considered service animals and are not allowed in grocery stores.

It's fairly common and seems to be getting more so. You're cruising the aisles at Publix, grabbing some cereal and garbage bags, when another shopper passes by with a little dog in the basket. Or possibly in a carrier, or walking alongside on a leash.

Depending on your feelings about dogs, that encounter can be a pleasant little break in your errands or it can annoying or even a little scary. Or you may be the person with the pooch, bringing them along for friendly and harmless companionship.

Is it legal?

Is it legal to bring a dog into a Florida grocery store?

There is no specific law banning dogs from grocery stores in Florida, but there doesn't need to be. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration's Food Code is pretty clear: "Live animals may not be allowed on the PREMISES of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT."

The prohibition applies to any animals or birds, not just dogs, and is intended to protect food from contamination from drool, urine, feces and other material that pets carry on their coats and paws and might leave behind on store shelves or counters or exposed foods like produce. It also protects other shoppers and employees from unruly animals.

Exceptions are made for service animals and law enforcement patrol dogs. The law also allows customers to bring animals into outside common areas of restaurants or stores or inside common dining areas of institutional care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, or residential care as long as food is not prepared there and the business permits it.

In 2023, Publix made news when its stores began displaying a prominent sign notifying shoppers of the chain's long-standing policy prohibiting animals unless they were service animals.

"Under federal law, service animals are dogs or miniature horses trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities," the sign read. "Non-service animals are not allowed in grocery stores by the FDA. Dogs, pets, and other animals whose sole function is to provide comfort, companionship, or emotional support do not qualify as service animals and are not permitted in Publix, even with a doctor's note."

Publix's policy also prohibits service dogs from "being carried in a Publix shopping cart (even on a mat) or in Publix wheelchair basket attachments."

Winn-Dixie also bans non-service animals. "Friendly reminder that we do not allow pets of any kind inside the store," an employee posted on Facebook in 2024. Aldi has a similar message to Publix' posted on its website.

Are service animals allowed in Florida grocery stores?

Trained service animals are allowed everywhere the public is allowed to go, a right protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, with a few exceptions for sensitive religious areas.

Service animals are those that have been trained to serve specific tasks to help people with disabilities. They have also been trained to remain calm in crowds and not react to other people, dogs, or other potentially disruptive situations. Service animals are not considered pets.

Business employees are not permitted under the ADA to ask what a person's disability is. They may ask only if the service animal is required because of a disability, and what work or task has the dog been trained to perform, according to DisabilityRightsFlorida.org.

However, under Florida law even people with service animals may be asked to leave the premises "if the animal is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control it, the animal is not housebroken, or the animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others." Allergies and fear of animals are not considered valid reasons.

The animal must also be on a leash or harness, unless that would interfere with their specific tasks, in which case it must still be under the control of its owner. The owner is also responsible for feeding and caring for the animal and cleaning up any waste products.

Can I say my dog is a service animal?

Not if it isn't. Florida law specifically comes down on people for doing that.

Knowingly misrepresenting your pet as a service animal is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500, along with 30 hours of community service for an organization that serves individuals with disabilities, or for another entity or organization at the discretion of the court, to be completed within 6 months.

Do any Florida stores allow dogs?

Quite a few, actually, but it's usually a store-by-store decision so check with your local locations before you let Fido in the car. Some popular chains that have welcomed dogs in the past are:

• Ace Hardware
• Barnes & Noble
• Bass Pro Shops
• DICK’S Sporting Goods
• Foot Locker
• Harbor Freight
• Home Depot
• Homegoods
• Kirklands
• Lowe’s
• Lush
• Macy’s
• Marshalls
• Michaels
• Nordstrom
• Petco
• PetSmart
• Ross
• TJ Maxx
• Tractor Supply Co.

Again, check your local stores' policies first. Several malls allow dogs in common areas but non-service dogs are prohibited from entering food areas and each mall may have different restrictions on where and when they're allowed.

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.