News

County seeks to regulate chickens

By Michael D. Bates | Hernando Today
Published: November 21, 2012

BROOKSVILLE - There was much fowl talk at Tuesday's county commission meeting as board members discussed tweaking the current ordinance on allowing chickens in residential areas.

Everything from the smell (or lack of) associated with chickens to their daily habits was hashed out for at least 30 minutes.

At the end, commissioners voted 5-0 to direct staff to draft an ordinance for an upcoming public hearing that would set parameters on the number of chickens allowed on a residential property and the banning of roosters.

Staffers will return with an ordinance with restrictions on the number of chickens, including a provision prohibiting roosters and possibly a setback requirement for chicken coops.

Zoning Supervisor Chris Linsbeck said he checked with other municipalities to see how they handle their poultry. Many, including Pasco and Hillsborough counties, prohibit them in residential zoning districts.

Citrus County allows them, but restricts the number. The city of Tampa allows them.

Commission Chairman Wayne Dukes said the economy has forced people to be more self-sufficient and to seek cost-saving options, such as raising chickens for the eggs.

"We're a changing society," he said. "People are getting nervous about their future."

Other commissioners said they see nothing wrong with people raising chickens as long as they adhere to prescribed guidelines. Neighbors, they said, should not have to be subjected to noise from too many chickens in a coop.

"One strike and you're out," Commissioner Nick Nicholson said.

Carol Aquilante, of 5505 Piedmont Drive in Spring Hill, said she intends to keep her chicken coops clean and abide by the rules.

She enjoys eating the eggs laid from her chickens because they taste much better than store-bought and are better for you.

The current ordinance allows chickens only in agriculturally zoned districts.

County Commissioner Jim Adkins, who is familiar with chickens from having them on his farm, told his colleagues the birds are quiet and neighbors would never know they are there.

Roosters are another matter, he said.

"I can go along with this (ordinance) with zero tolerance," Adkins said for those people who run "a-fowl" of the rules.

mbates@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5290