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Livingston resident tells supervisors county limits livestock on smaller agricultural lots; urges code change
Summary
A Livingston District resident told the board Spotsylvania’s ordinance prohibits livestock on parcels under five acres even when the county has zoned the land agricultural, and he urged the board to remove the acreage restriction as inconsistent with state law.
Justin, who identified himself as a Livingston District resident, used his public‑comment time to urge the Board of Supervisors to remove a county restriction that bars most livestock on parcels smaller than five acres — a rule he said contradicts Virginia law and the county’s own agricultural zoning.
He said he owns 4.34 acres zoned Ag‑3 but cannot legally keep meat chickens; the county currently permits egg‑laying chickens with a coop permit but prohibits meat birds on parcels smaller than five acres. Justin told the board the restriction treats land zoned agricultural as if it were not agricultural for livestock purposes and asserted that Virginia’s right‑to‑farm protections and state statutes do not impose minimum acreage requirements for common farm practices.
Justin asked the board to remove the five‑acre minimum on agriculturally zoned property and said the county bears the burden of proving any restriction is necessary for public health, safety or welfare. He told supervisors there is “zero evidence” that responsibly raising poultry or small livestock on less than five acres poses a public health or safety hazard and called the rule “restrictive” and unjustified. The chair noted Justin’s three‑minute time expired and thanked him for his comments.
Board action: this item was presented as public comment; the transcript records no formal board directive or vote in response to the speaker’s request during this meeting.
