Urban chicken keeping is becoming more and more popular in the United States. Many families keep small flocks of chickens as pets, for eggs, meat, or for eating pests. However, not every U.S. city allows the keeping of backyard chickens. In Florida, some cities allow backyard chickens, but many do not. Even in cities where the keeping of chickens is permitted, many HOAs may prohibit it.
Therefore, prior to getting a flock of backyard chickens, make sure you check your city's code of ordinances. You may also need to check with your landlord if chickens are allowed to be kept on the property. Meanwhile, I've compiled a list of ten Florida cities that allow the keeping of backyard chickens.
1. Orlando, FL
If you reside in the City of Orlando, FL, you can keep a small number of chickens in your backyard. However, in order to do so, you must first apply for a Backyard Chicken Permit. In addition, you must reside in a single-family home, as chickens are not permitted on duplex, triplex, townhome, or multifamily properties within the city limits. What's more, only female chickens (hens) are allowed, and you can have no more than 4. The keeping of male chickens (roosters), as well as ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, pigeons, or other birds, are not allowed in Orlando, FL. Further, chickens must be kept for personal use and not be allowed to run free. Your chicken coop must be located behind the house in the backyard and at least 20 feet away from neighboring homes.
2. Deltona, FL
In the City of Deltona, FL, a Backyard Chicken Permit is required to keep chickens. The fee for the permit is $25 and to obtain it, the property must be owner-occupied. Under the permit, a maximum of 10 chickens is allowed to be kept on parcels that are half-acre or greater. On parcels less than half-acre, no more than 5 chickens are permitted to be kept. The keeping of roosters is not allowed and if have any questions, please visit the city's website.
3. Tampa, FL
In the City of Tampa, FL you can keep up to 10 female chickens in your backyard, per the city's municipal code. One chicken is allowed per 1,000 SF of land, so the number of chickens you can have depends on the size of your property. But the maximum you can have is ten. Chickens must be kept as an accessory use and in an enclosed area (fenced or walled) at all times. Your hen house is required to be situated at least 15 feet from any residential building.
4. Miami, FL
The City of Miami's municipal code allows residents to keep no more than 15 female chickens, subject to certain restrictions. In addition to the restriction on the number and type of chickens you can keep, your hen house must not be situated less than 100 feet from any human dwelling. Further, you must not permit your hens to run at large and your henhouse must be free from odors and fly breeding. The city code further requires that chickens droppings be removed from the henhouses at least twice weekly.
5. Jacksonville, FL
With a $25 permit, you can keep chickens in your backyard in Jacksonville, FL. Up to 5 backyard hens are allowed to be kept on lots larger than 1 acre. Then, an additional 5 hens are allowed per every additional half-acre. The maximum number of hens allowed on lots more than 2.0 Acres is 15. To obtain the BACKYARD HEN PROGRAM PERMIT, you are required to take a chicken-keeping seminar from the county's extension office. Roosters as well as the on-site slaughtering of chickens are prohibited within the city limits of Jacksonville.
6. St. Petersburg, FL
In St. Petersburg, FL, a maximum of 10 chickens is allowed per property, regardless of the size of the property. Aside from chickens, the keeping of turkeys, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl is also allowed in St. Petersburg. Chickens are to be kept in a securely fenced area and confined to your premises. According to the City Code, you may keep your chicken coop in the side or rear yard. There must be at least 4 square feet of space within the coop for each chicken. Within the fenced area, there must be at least 10 square feet of open area for each chicken. Both the coop and fenced area must be kept clean and free from any offensive odors. Further, you must not keep your coop within 50 feet of any residence except yours. The only exception to this rule is if you obtain the written consent of your neighbors.
7. Tallahassee, FL
In the City of Tallahassee, FL, the keeping of female chickens for non-commercial purposes is permitted. Per the city's municipal code, you must confine your hens in a securely enclosed yard or pen at all times. In addition, the enclosed yard or pen must be kept no closer than 20 feet to neighboring dwellings. For the purpose of flock sustainability, the city code allows for 1 male chicken to be kept in conjunction with said hens.
8. Pembroke Pines, FL
Subject to certain standards and regulations, the keeping of backyard chickens is allowed in Pembroke Pines, FL. No more than 25 chickens are allowed to be kept in a backyard, according to the city's municipal code. The chickens are to be kept in a coop, which must located at least 50 feet from any plot line.
9. Gainesville, FL
Subject to certain standards, the city of Gainesville allows for the keeping of chickens in the RSF-1 through 4, RC, U1, and U2 districts. A maximum of 10 female chickens, for personal use only, is allowed per single-family residence. The slaughtering of hens in the aforementioned districts is prohibited. Hens must be contained within a coop or fenced pen area, which must be located in the rear half of the residential lot. For the coop, a building permit isn't required if it is movable or prefabricated. Or, if it is 12 square feet or less in size, according to the City Code. The coop and pen area must be kept in such a manner so as not to create a public nuisance.
10. Palm Bay, FL
In Palm Bay, FL, the keeping of backyard chickens is permitted on single-family lots in the RE, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, SF-1, SF-2, and SRE Zoning Districts. A maximum of 4 chickens (no roosters) is allowed per single-family lot. According to the city's municipal code, hens must at all times be caged and the breeding of chickens is prohibited. Furthermore, your hen cage/coop and surrounding areas must be clean and properly maintained. Lastly, your hen cage or coop must not be located within 10 feet of any rear property line.
Other Florida Municipalities that Allow Backyard Chickens
- St. Cloud, FL - a permit is required to keep up to 6 hens
- Titusville, FL - attendance at a class on the care for backyard hens is required
- St. Lucie County, FL - up to five backyard hens are allowed
- Seminole County, FL - participation in the backyard chicken program is required
- Fort Myers, FL - a backyard hen permit is required
- Winter Park, FL - A backyard chicken permit is required
- Longwood, FL - up to 4 backyard hens per residence with a permit
- Winter Garden, FL - a permit is required to keep chickens
- Sumter County, FL - chickens are allowed in the Rural Residential zoning districts
- Fort Pierce, FL - chickens are allowed to be kept in single-family residences
This list is not exhaustive, meaning many more Florida municipalities allow backyard chickens. If you are considering keeping backyard chickens, make sure it is permitted where you live. To determine whether or not Backyard Chickens are allowed in your area, you may reach out to your city clerk's or local animal control's office. Alternatively, you can search for your municipality's animal code of ordinances online.
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