Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animals Poultry topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends approval of ordinance allowing backyard hens with limits and setbacks
Summary
On June 12 the City of Brooksville Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend City Council approve Ordinance 977, which would allow up to five hens (no roosters) in single- and two-family zones with 3-foot setbacks and minimum coop/run size standards; City Council will hear the item July 1.
The City of Brooksville Planning & Zoning Commission on June 12 voted to recommend that City Council approve Ordinance 977, a staff-initiated amendment to the land development code that would permit backyard chickens in single-family and two-family residential zones under specified conditions.
Staff told commissioners the draft ordinance removes an effective 10-acre prohibition in the current code and places limits on poultry kept on residential parcels. "We got rid of the 10 acre requirement," the planner said, and the proposed rules would "limit it to 5 hens, no roosters, no sale of eggs," with coops sited as accessory structures at a minimum of 3 feet from side and rear property lines. Staff also said the ordinance includes minimum coop and run area standards intended to exceed the commonly used 3 square feet per bird.
The draft would adopt the ordinance exhibits as attachments rather than reprinting all rules in the ordinance text. Staff explained that the conditional-use process applies (site plan and permit required) and that code enforcement is unlikely to proactively seek out existing backyard chickens; complaints would trigger enforcement.
Commissioners asked about locating coops on parcels, whether surveys and permits are required, and whether roosters are explicitly banned in the exhibit language. Staff pointed to the exhibit (number 2.b) for the rooster prohibition and confirmed that a conditional-use site plan and a building permit will be required where applicable. The planner also noted beehives are governed by state law and require state permits and inspections.
After questions, a commissioner moved and a second was recorded to recommend approval of Ordinance 977. The commission answered ‘‘aye’’ with no recorded opposition and the motion carried. Staff said City Council will hear Ordinance 977 at its July 1 meeting in the council chambers at 7:00 p.m.
The commission’s recommendation does not itself change the code; final action would occur at City Council.
