§ 138-3351. Backyard chickens.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section to is allow chickens within some urban residential neighborhoods while limiting the intensity and potential impact on neighboring properties.

(b)

Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to the keeping of chickens on properties in the R-1 through R-5 and RPD zoning districts.

(c)

Standards.

(1)

General conditions for the keeping of chickens in the R-1 through R-5 and RPD zoning districts.

a.

For the purposes of this section of the Code, the term "chicken" refers to female chickens only (i.e., hens).

b.

Up to four chickens may be kept within an occupied single-family property located in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RPD zoning districts. Chickens may be kept within manufactured home subdivisions, but not on duplex, triplex or multifamily properties, or within mobile home/manufactured home parks.

c.

Chickens must be kept within a coop or fence enclosure.

d.

Ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, adult male chickens/roosters, or any other poultry or fowl are not allowed under the provisions of this section of the Code.

e.

Chickens shall be kept for personal use only. Selling chickens, eggs, or chicken manure, or the breeding of chickens for commercial purposes is prohibited.

f.

Chickens shall not be slaughtered on premises.

g.

The coop and enclosure must be screened from the neighbor's view, using an opaque fence and/or a landscape screen.

(2)

Location and requirements for chicken coops and enclosures in the R-1 through R-5 and RPD zoning districts.

a.

Any chicken coop and fenced enclosure must be located in the rear yard. No coop or enclosure shall be allowed in any front or side yard. (Corner lots shall be excluded from the side setback restriction.)

b.

The coop and enclosure comply with the district setback standards.

c.

If the coop structure exceeds 100 square feet in size (ten-foot by ten-foot), a building permit is required under the Florida Building Code.

d.

The coop shall be covered and ventilated, and a fenced enclosure/run is required. The coop and enclosure must be completely secured from predators, including all openings, ventilation holes, doors and gates (fencing or roofing is required over the enclosure in addition to the coop, in order to protect the chickens from predators).

f.

All stored feed must be kept in a rodent and predator-proof container.

g.

The coop shall provide a minimum of three square feet per chicken and be of sufficient size to permit free movement of the chickens. The coop may not be taller than six feet, measured from the natural grade, and must be easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance.

(3)

Health, sanitation and nuisance as applied to the keeping of chickens in the R-1 through R-5 and RPD zoning districts.

a.

Chickens shall be kept within a coop and enclosure. No person shall release or set any chicken free from such coop or enclosure.

b.

Chicken coops and enclosures shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. Chickens shall not be permitted to create a nuisance consisting of odor, noise or pests, or contribute to any other nuisance condition.

(4)

Enforcement.

a.

In a public health emergency declared by the Director of the Pinellas County Health Department, including but not limited to an outbreak of Avian Flu or West Nile virus, the county may require immediate corrective action in accordance with applicable public health regulations and procedures.

b.

No person convicted as a repeat violator of section may be permitted to, or continue to, keep chickens on their premises.

(5)

This section applies no restriction on chickens in the A/E, E-1, and R-R zoning districts.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)