RODENTS AND INSECTS

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. XIII, ch. 472

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 472.101 Definitions.

Sec. 472.101. - Definitions. As used in this Chapter: (a) Director means the Director of the Duval County Health Department. (b) Eradication means the elimination of rodents or insects from a premises through the use of traps, poison, fumigation or any other method of extermination. (c) Harborage means any condition which provides shelter or protection for rodents or insects. (d) Insects include the members of the class Insecta and members of the phylum Arthropoda, such as spiders, mites, ticks, centipedes and wood lice. (e) Person in control means the owner, occupant and any other person who has an ownership interest in or a right of use or possession to real property. (Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 2008-513-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 472.102 Rodent and insect eradication.

Sec. 472.102. - Rodent and insect eradication. (a) All structures and premises shall be kept free from rodents and insects and from all conditions conducive to rodent or insect life. The person in control thereof shall take adequate measures to eliminate the accumulation of water, garbage or any other waste material in any part of the structure or premises. (b) When any structure or premises is infested by rodents or insects, the person in control shall apply such eradication measures as are generally recognized to be effective in the circumstances. The Director may order reasonable eradication measures to be taken by the person in control of any structure or premises upon his finding that the structure or premises is infested by rodents or insects. (c) Whenever the Director finds and declares an area to be a rodent-infested area, all persons in control of buildings within the area which contain dwelling units shall cause the buildings to be treated with a rodenticide at least once each calendar quarter; provided, that an interval of at least two months shall transpire between treatment in one calendar quarter and treatment in the succeeding quarter. Each person in control shall maintain records as required by the Department to evidence the rodenticide treatments required herein. Upon application of the person in control of a particular building in the area, the Director may exempt the building from the provisions of this subsection if, on the basis of the structural, physical and sanitary conditions and the adequacy of maintenance and repair thereof, the Director finds that the building is free from rodents and is of the opinion that it will so remain. The Director shall give notice to each premises within the area designated as a rodent-infested area by delivery of his order making such findings to each premises within the area. (Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 472.103 Elimination of harborages.

Sec. 472.103. - Elimination of harborages. All building material, lumber, boxes, cartons, containers, machinery, raw material, fabricated goods, junk, food, animal feed and other substances which may afford harborage or provide food for rodents or insects shall be stored and handled in such a manner as to minimize its condition as a harborage or source of food. Structural harborages which cannot be eliminated shall be periodically uncovered and inspected. (Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 472.104 Food establishments.

Sec. 472.104. - Food establishments. Every food establishment shall be constructed and maintained in a rat-proof condition, in order to prevent the entry of rats into the premises. (Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 472.105 Garbage containers.

Sec. 472.105. - Garbage containers. All garbage containers shall be kept tightly covered at all times, except when momentarily opened to receive or remove the contents thereof. (Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIIIHECO_CH472ROINFetched: 10/27/2026