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Commission tables proposed change to Volusia backyard‑chicken rules for more analysis
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Summary
The commission debated eliminating minimum lot sizes and allowing backyard chickens by right in urban zones, but tabled Ordinance 2026‑05 to May for staff to refine coop sizes, sliding scales and enforceability measures.
After a detailed staff presentation, the commission on March 19 sent a proposed amendment to backyard‑chicken rules back to staff for further work.
Staff said the draft ordinance (Ordinance 2026‑05) would eliminate the minimum lot‑size requirement and the conditional‑use permit for backyard chickens in specified urban zones, adopt a sliding scale for maximum birds by lot size and remove a University of Florida extension course requirement. Staff noted that in a survey of jurisdictions, most neighboring counties do not impose a minimum lot size.
Commissioners raised practical concerns: enforcement of manure‑bin setbacks on small lots, whether to limit one coop per parcel on smaller lots, how many birds are appropriate for a 5,000‑square‑foot parcel, and whether owner‑occupancy restrictions would run afoul of state law (SB 180). Member Bush said she favored retaining one coop limit for smaller parcels or otherwise creating a size‑based limit; staff agreed to return with a refined scale. After extended discussion, Member Bush moved to table the ordinance and have staff return with revisions for the May meeting; the motion passed.
Public commenters with backyard‑chicken experience urged the commission to consider practical practices (mobile coops, rotation to reduce odor). Staff was tasked to provide mapping of lot sizes and to refine coop/number scales and enforcement language before the ordinance returns.
Next steps: staff will revise the draft ordinance per the commission’s direction and present it at the May 21 PLDRC meeting for further consideration.
