Hmm then I either got mine under the legal limit or it hasn't grown at all....but it has so it was sold under the legal limit. I got it in FL. along with another one but the other diedThere was a 4" rule that was applied to the shell, but (at least on the federal level), I think that it has been scrapped. If memory serves, the shell had to measure at least 4" in width (>4" from any angle, edge to edge of carapace).