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Residents push back as Newton County reviews UDO livestock rules; petition surpasses 500 signatures
Summary
A wide public-comment turnout on June 2 pressed the Newton County Board of Commissioners to preserve backyard chickens and oppose restrictive changes in the county's Unified Development Ordinance; speakers cited food security, tradition and a 562-signature petition.
A packed public‑comment session at the Newton County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 2 focused on proposed updates to the county's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), with dozens of residents urging the board not to restrict backyard chickens and roosters.
Multiple residents said they learned about the proposed changes via social media and a rapidly circulated petition. “This petition has been pushed out of the country at this point. As of right now, we have 562 signatures in less than a week,” a petitioner told the board. Speakers described backyard poultry as a food‑security and self‑reliance measure, citing rising grocery prices and reliance on local food production.
Many speakers asked the board to preserve existing allowances for livestock on larger lots and to consider tiered rules that reflect differences between farms and small residential lots. Rain Boyd, a land steward who operates Victory Gardens by Rain, said land stewardship and local food production are common across Newton County and urged the commissioners to avoid blanket prohibitions.
Commissioners responded that the county is reviewing existing livestock and chicken ordinances as part of a comprehensive UDO revision and that the intent is not to take animals away from farmers or large‑acreage landowners. Commissioner Edwards, who said he farms and keeps livestock, asked residents to participate in the ordinance review and emphasized existing livestock rules. “We're reviewing those. I don't see us changing. I won't vote to change the chicken ordinances,” he said.
Commissioner Henderson urged residents to engage directly with ordinance advisory committees to craft compromises for small‑lot neighborhoods while preserving agricultural uses outside denser areas. The county attorney and staff said advisory committees and public review will be part of the UDO update process.
While poultry dominated comments, speakers also raised related concerns about data centers, county taxes and law‑enforcement resource use; commissioners encouraged continued public input as UDO revisions proceed.
