Board grants after-the-fact permit for 18 chickens in Saint Leonard with conditions

The Calvert County Board of Appeals on June 24 granted an after-the-fact special exception permitting Heather Noriega to keep 18 chickens and a coop at 1000 Laurel Court in Saint Leonard.

Noriega, who was sworn and testified, told the board she would move the coop to a zoning-approved location and that the health department had conditionally approved the coop’s review. She said the birds are contained and primarily pets: "They're my feather babies," she said. The coordinator listed neighbor support letters and a single written opposition from Stephanie Clark raising concerns about predators, disease and noise.

In finding the criteria met, the board attached conditions: the permit applies only to the current owner and does not transfer with the property; the coop must meet all Calvert County permitting and health-department requirements; roosters are prohibited; and no retail sales of poultry or eggs are allowed from the site. The chair closed the record, the motion to grant carried, and the board noted it will issue a written order within the 45-day period provided by county rules.

The coordinator had marked applicant exhibits, staff reports and neighbor letters into the record; the public exhibit of opposition asked, in part, "Where does it stop?" citing disease and noise worries. The board said enforcement and any future complaints will be handled through standard permitting and health-department processes.