Subject:
Title
Legislative Intent and Permission to Advertise Amendments to Chapter 62, Article VI, “Zoning Regulations” RE: Farm Animals and Fowl
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Fiscal Impact:
None
Dept/Office:
District 1 Commission Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board approve Legislative Intent and Permission to Advertise Amendments to Chapter 62, Article VI, “Zoning Regulations,” Brevard County Code, and to direct staff to bring forward an ordinance that addresses the issues detailed in the Summary Explanation and Background section below.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
A proposal to revise the noted zoning regulations was initially presented at the July 8, 2025 commission meeting. This agenda item has been revised to include commissioner feedback and clarification, with a chart listing specific proposed policy changes and an additional requirement for storage of feed to prevent the attraction of nuisance pests.
The County Commission has received complaints from local residents regarding the requirement that they can generally only have one chicken under the current Code. Specifically, Section 62-2108, Brevard County Code of Ordinances, provides, in pertinent part, that “[i]t shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor, breed, or maintain upon any premises not zoned for agricultural use . . . more than one of the following: pigeons, chickens, ducks, or other fowl. . .”
Due to chickens being a flock animal, residents have complained that they are unable to purchase a single chicken from local suppliers who do not sell single chickens. In order to address these complaints, it is requested that the Board approve legislative intent and permission to advertise an ordinance amending the Brevard County Code of Ordinances, as necessary, to allow for up to six (6) chickens as a permitted use with conditions, bringing the County more in line with other jurisdictions.
This request will require staff to make changes to Chapter 62, Article VI, Division 4, Subdivision II, “Unimproved, Agricultural, and Residential,” in order to allow chickens as a permitted use with conditions for the corresponding zoning classifications found within that Subdivision. Additionally, changes may be needed to Section 62-1102, “Definitions”; Section 62-1927, “Farm animals and fowl” (Conditional Uses); and, Section 62-2108, “Farm animals and fowl” (Supplemental Regulations - General Provisions).
Clerk to the Board Instructions: