PLDRC recommends loosening backyard-chicken rules, forwards ordinance to County Council

The Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission unanimously voted May 21 to find Ordinance 2026‑O5 consistent with the county comprehensive plan and to forward the measure to the Volusia County Council with a recommendation of approval.

Planner Sam West told the commission the ordinance would amend Chapter 72 of the Code of Ordinances to change backyard‑chicken rules. The proposed revisions remove the cap of three chickens for lots under 5,000 square feet and allow four chickens on those small lots, add a 50‑chicken maximum for lots 2.5 acres or larger, reduce the required setback for fly‑tight storage bins from 20 feet to 10 feet from property lines, and retain a one‑coop‑per‑parcel limit while allowing larger coops on properties of one acre or more.

West said the county council directed staff in May 2025 to review urban backyard‑chicken regulations and that staff incorporated recommendations made at a March PLDRC hearing. He noted only three conditional‑use permits for backyard chickens have ever been issued countywide.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify existing density language for certain zoning classifications; Scott Ashley, zoning manager, explained that existing density references under R‑6 permit application for a multifamily special exception and fit with the urban medium‑density land use designation, and said no change to that density language was proposed.

Commissioner Shelley moved to find Ordinance 2026‑O5 consistent with the comprehensive plan and forward it to County Council with a recommendation of approval; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The ordinance will next appear on the County Council agenda, where new evidence may be introduced and a final decision will be made.