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Resident presents petitions to allow backyard chickens; commission asks staff to research ordinance options
Summary
A DeLand resident presented petitions supporting limited backyard chickens; commissioners expressed interest in drafting a local ordinance modeled on other municipal codes and directed staff to research options and return with a draft or agenda item for discussion.
Aaron Preston, a DeLand resident, told the commission on Feb. 17 he delivered a paper petition with 106 signatures and a change.org petition with 533 signatures in favor of allowing backyard chickens within city limits. Preston requested the commission consider revising Section 4‑6 of the city code, which currently prohibits keeping chickens in residential areas.
Preston cited a 2019 state law championed by then‑representative Elizabeth Fetterhoff that encourages edible front‑yard landscaping; he argued a blank ban on chickens unfairly restricts residents who want to raise a small number for personal food use. He asked the city to consider a permit or licensing approach similar to neighboring municipalities.
Commissioners expressed interest in pursuing the matter. Commissioner Dan Reed said Deltona’s model (a permit plus an initial inspection, with renewals or enforcement on complaint) provides a useful template and said he would support moving forward with a similar approach. Vice Mayor Jessica Davis and other commissioners said they were open‑minded but wanted public notice and an opportunity to hear both proponents and opponents. Commissioners noted homeowners-association rules would still apply and could prohibit chickens in subdivisions.
Next steps: commissioners indicated they want staff to draft an ordinance or report back with recommended language and regulatory options (lot-size thresholds, limits on roosters, inspection/permit procedures and complaint-based enforcement). No formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff will prepare materials for a future agenda if the commission directs.
Clarifying details from the presentation: the paper petition contained 106 signatures (the presenter said many were collected at a single event) and the online petition had 533 signatures at the time of the meeting. Preston suggested eligibility tied to lot size (for example, quarter‑acre minimum) and proposed a complaint-driven inspection regime after an initial permit or inspection.
