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Resident asks county to relax backyard-chicken limit in ordinance 134‑290; seeks change to three hens per 5,000 sq. ft.
Summary
A District 3 resident asked the Board to amend Cobb County ordinance section 134‑290 to allow up to three chickens per 5,000 square feet on properties under two acres, arguing current limits hurt flock health and citing neighboring counties’ rules.
Brian Luffman, a District 3 resident, asked the board to “review and revise section 134‑290, backyard chickens for properties under 2 acres,” an ordinance the speaker said the Board adopted on Feb. 8, 2022.
“Currently, the ordinance states a maximum of 1 backyard chicken per 5,000 square feet,” Luffman said. He argued that chickens are social animals and that single birds suffer stress and reduced egg production. “My recommended amendment to the ordinance will align with other counties that neighbor Cobb,” Luffman added, requesting an increase to three chickens per 5,000 square feet.
Luffman offered comparative examples attributed to neighboring jurisdictions: Fulton County (up to 75 chickens on property under 2 acres), “Hall” County (up to 5 chickens), and the Atlanta city limits (one chicken per 25 square feet with a 25‑chicken maximum). He also cited industry and USDA statistics to argue backyard production is a small component of the national egg supply.
No action was taken during the meeting; the speaker requested a board review and indicated willingness to work with county staff on ordinance language.
