Okaloosa County BOCC — August 19, 2014 — City of Sarasota Chicken Regulations — reading text

City of Sarasota Chicken Regulations Sec. 8-2. Keeping livestock and certain animals prohibited. (a) Except for a retail establishment engaging in the lawful sale of animals and Sarasota Jungle Gardens, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, raise or maintain the following: (1) Any livestock; (2) Any poultry, except chickens being kept, harbored, raised, or maintained as accessory to a residential single-family structure, subject to the following restrictions: a. No more than four (4) chickens may be kept, with roosters prohibited; b. No person shall slaughter any chickens; c. The chickens shall be provided with a movable covered enclosure (i.e. "hen house/coop") and must be kept in the covered enclosure or a fenced enclosure at all times. Chickens must be secured within the movable henhouse/coop during non-daylight hours; d. The space per bird in the henhouse/coop shall not be less than four (4) square feet per bird; e. No covered enclosure or fenced enclosure shall be located in the front yard, nor shall the henhouse/coop be closer than ten (10) feet to any property line of an adjacent property, nor within twenty-five (25) feet of any adjacent residential structure. Odors from chickens, chicken manure, or other chicken related substances shall not be detectable at the property boundaries; f. All enclosures for the keeping of chickens shall be so constructed and maintained as to prevent rodents or other pests from being harbored underneath, within, or within the walls of the enclosure. The henhouse/coop must be impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats. Enclosures shall be kept in neat condition, including provision of clean, dry bedding materials and regular removal of waste materials. All manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed promptly; g. All feed and other items associated with the keeping of chickens that are likely to attract or to become infested with or infected by rodents or other pests shall be kept in secure containers or otherwise protected so as to prevent rodents and other pests from gaining access to or coming into contact with them; h. The sale of eggs or any other chicken products generated in the City of Sarasota is prohibited; i. No dog or cat that kills a chicken will, for that reason alone, be considered a dangerous or aggressive animal. (3) Any rabbits, except those being kept, harbored, raised or maintained: a. As pets within a completely enclosed dwelling or detached garage capable of housing at least two (2) cars; b. In an outside enclosure, coop or pen, up to a maximum of two (2) rabbits. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, the city manager or his designee may, by special permit, authorize the keeping harboring, raising or maintaining of livestock, poultry or rabbits (not within a dwelling) within the city limits. A special permit may only be issued for a specified limited period of time and shall set forth such conditions or requirements as shall be deemed necessary to mitigate the potential adverse effects upon neighboring properties. In determining whether a special permit shall be issued, the city manager or his designee shall consider the nature of the request, the potential benefit to the city or the general public which may result if the special permit is granted, and any adverse effects which neighboring properties may experience if the special permit is granted.