Land Development Regulations 

Chapter 3-9. Zoning 

Article III. Special Regulations

Sec. 3-9-69. - Conditional uses and structures. 

(g) Residential uses.
(14) Accessory Chicken Keeping (RSF) 

​

*Will  be addressed to the board. Rear yard should not have to be fenced in if  hens are within a fenced enclosure if outside when outside of "hen  house/coop". 

​

Sec. 3-9-69 

(a)  This use must be accessory to a properly permitted residential use and structure. 

(b)  No  more than four hens (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) on a lot no smaller than  10,000 sq. ft. (or any lot legally created prior to October 22, 1992),  or six hens on lots 20,000 sq. ft. or greater, may be kept in the rear  yard. *The rear yard of the lot must be fully fenced or otherwise enclosed.

(c)  Roosters are prohibited. 

(d)  The killing and dressing of chickens is prohibited. 

(e)  The  hens shall be provided with a covered enclosure (i.e. "hen house/coop")  and must always be kept in the covered enclosure or within a fenced  enclosure if outside for exercise. If the  enclosure is not readily movable for a storm event, it must be properly  permitted and secured. Hens must be secured within the henhouse/coop  during non- daylight hours. All areas including the coop must be  shielded on all sides by a fully opaque fence or wall six feet in  height. 

(f)  The space per hen in the henhouse/coop shall not be less than four square feet per hen. 

(g)  No  covered enclosure or fenced enclosure shall be located in the front  yard, nor shall the henhouse/coop be closer than the required accessory  structure yard setbacks to any property line of an adjacent property.  Odors from hens, hen manure, or other hen related substances shall not  be detectable at the property boundaries. 

(h)  All enclosures for the keeping of hens shall be so constructed and  maintained as to prevent rodents or other pests from being harbored  underneath, within, or within the walls of, the enclosure. The  henhouse/coop must contain a barrier or barriers to prevent entry of  rodents, wild birds, and predators, including coyotes, bobcats, dogs and  cats. Enclosures shall be kept in neat condition, including provision  of clean, dry bedding materials and regular removal of waste materials.  All manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed  promptly. 

(i)  All  feed and other items associated with the keeping of hens that are  likely to attract, or to become infested with, or infected by rodents or  other pests shall be kept in a secure location, container, or otherwise  protected to prevent rodents and other pests from gaining access to or  coming into contact with them. 

(j)  The  sale of eggs or any other hen products generated in a residential  single-family district must be sold in a zoning district which permits  the retail sale of such items. 

(k)  No animal that kills a hen will, for that reason alone, be considered a dangerous or aggressive animal. 

(l)  Chickens that are no longer wanted by their owners shall not be taken to Animal Control, nor shall they be released. 

(m)   The owners of the chicken(s) must register their location with the  department responsible with enforcement of the Land Development  Regulations. 

(n)  The owners of the chicken(s) and any person living in the household  who will be responsible for caring for the chicken(s) must take the  “Chickens In Your Backyard” course provided by the UF IFAS Extension  Office. 

(o)  County staff shall have the right to conduct an inspection to ensure compliance with these regulations.