Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animals In Residential Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves reasonable accommodation for two goats on 2.5-acre residential lot with screening condition
Summary
The commissioners voted 4-1 to grant a reasonable-accommodation request allowing an Ocala homeowner to keep two goats as emotional-support animals in an R-1 neighborhood, subject to an opaque fence that runs 10 feet past the goat pen to buffer an adjacent neighbor who raised concerns.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on June 17 approved a reasonable-accommodation request allowing two goats to remain on a 2.5-acre R-1 lot in southeast Ocala, contingent on a neighborhood-mitigation measure.
The applicant, Cheryl O'Connell of Southeast 40 First Place, told the board the goats provide emotional support following family trauma; the applicant provided a physician's letter describing the need. Growth Services staff reported a site inspection found the animals healthy and kept in an enclosure but noted the chicken coop needed to be moved to meet setback requirements. The department recommended approval with conditions (waste removal, maintained fencing, and that any replacement animals require a future application).
One adjacent property owner, Michael Bigelow, testified in opposition, citing noise and proximity of the goat pen to his property line. Commissioners asked staff and code officers to confirm setbacks and whether the pen could be relocated. As a compromise, commissioners approved the accommodation with the additional condition that the owner install a six-foot opaque fence running along the property line and extend approximately 10 feet beyond the front of the pen toward the driveway (the board's practical description: an opaque buffer to reduce sound and view). The board also required the chicken coop be moved 20 feet from the property line to meet code.
The motion to grant the reasonable accommodation with those conditions passed 4-1; Commissioner Curry cast the dissenting vote. Staff will monitor compliance; the accommodation was granted to the owner and not the parcel (if the animals die or ownership changes, a new application is required).
