{"id":16948,"date":"2021-08-18T15:00:28","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T19:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=16948"},"modified":"2023-07-11T15:20:59","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T19:20:59","slug":"backyard-chicken-keeping-ordinance-what-orange-county-residents-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2021\/08\/backyard-chicken-keeping-ordinance-what-orange-county-residents-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Backyard Chicken Keeping Permits: What Orange County Residents Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

On August 10, 2021 the Board of County Commissioners passed a Residential Backyard Chicken Keeping Ordinance to make a permit available to residents who are interested in egg production for home consumption. The Ordinance goes into effect on November 1, 2021, and applies to select single-family and mobile home residential zoning districts \u2013 detached, owner-occupied units. Participation in the program requires a $57 permit, site plan requirements and proof of training. There are only a total of 130 permits available for unincorporated Orange County, which will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions last updated on 8\/19\/2021.<\/em><\/span>
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Here are helpful answers to some other frequently asked questions:<\/p>\n

Q: Based on the Ordinance, what are the basic criteria for having residential backyard chickens?<\/strong>
\nA: The basic criteria laid out in the Ordinance include: permit required; up to four (4) chickens for personal egg consumption; no sales of any kind allowed; no roosters or other poultry allowed; no onsite breeding, slaughtering or consumption of chickens; proof of training required from UF\/IFAS Extension Orange County; coop and pen standards required; and care and keeping standards required.<\/p>\n

Q: What are some other Ordinance standards and requirements?<\/strong>
\nA: Other standards and requirements include: access to food and water at all times; feed kept in rodent- and wildlife-proof feeder and container when stored; composting allowed with 20 ft. setback; chickens kept under custody and control of resident if outside pen area; unwanted chickens must go to a farm or agribusiness accepting chickens; follow FL Statute 823.041 and Florida Administrative Code Section 62-701.520(<\/strong>5)(a) and (c), for deceased chickens; and, if Ordinance repealed, 10-year allowance for permittees to remove chickens, coop and pen area.<\/p>\n

Q: Where are permits allowed?<\/strong>
\nA: The Ordinance allows for chickens in owner-occupied detached Single-Family Residential and Mobile Home districts, including R-1AAAA, R-1AAA, R-1AA, R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3, RT-1, RT-2, R-L-D, NR, NAC and NC. You can go to the Property Appraiser\u2019s Website<\/a> to see the zoning for your parcel.<\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 Does the Ordinance override private covenants and restrictions, such as within HOA\u2019s or PD\u2019s?<\/strong>
\nA: No. You must comply with the private covenants and restrictions of HOAs and Planned Developments.<\/p>\n

Q: What if I am a renter?<\/strong>
\nA: At this time, the permit is available to owner-occupied residences on properly zoned properties only. No renters are permitted to have backyard chickens.<\/p>\n

Q: What is<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>UF\/IFAS Extension training and how do I enroll in the training class?<\/strong>
\nA: The training class is an overview of the basics of keeping backyard chickens. It is offered online as a virtual session. UF\/IFAS is the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which offers this class, as well as many others. You can register at Urban Backyard Chicken Class Pre-Test<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Q: Do I need to complete the training in order to get my permit?<\/strong>
\nA: Yes. A certificate will be required as proof of completed training to be uploaded as part of the application for the permit.<\/p>\n

For up-to-date information regarding the ordinance, keep checking back to these Frequently Asked Questions.<\/p>\n