ZEPHYRHILLS – The Zephyrhills City Council has added regulations for harboring backyard chickens.
The regulations allow for residential units in single-family, estate, low density and medium density residential zoning districts to have up to five hens or pullets at a time. Roosters, capons or cockerels are not allowed.
No chickens are allowed in other zoning districts, including duplex and multi-family lots.
The intent of the ordinance is more about egg consumption than having pets.
“An interest in local food sources, food resilience and desire for fresher, more nutritious foods is being embraced by residents throughout the country,” according to the ordinance. “The City of Zephyrhills intends to integrate sustainability and resilience strategies that foster healthy communities, educate and empower residents to lead healthy, sustainable lifestyles, and invest in the wellbeing and success of our children.
“Many communities in Florida and throughout the United States have found in adopting ordinances to integrate the keeping of chickens in residential areas that up to four chickens are sufficient to meet the needs of the average family’s egg consumption.”
The ordinance does not allow breeding, slaughtering or the onsite sale of eggs, poultry or manure.
Neighbor Brad Bush told the council that he supported the ordinance.
“I think it’s about as bulletproof as anything can get,” Bush said. “Obviously, at the end of the day, someone’s always going to try to take advantage of it, but it takes both the welfare of the chicken plus the individual freedoms of everyone into full account, along with holding up accountability for people to properly take care of said chickens.
Residents interested in having backyard chickens have to fill out an application from the city.
Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson felt like the application needed more work. She wanted to see more specific language about what zoning districts the hens are allowed in. Staff assured Wilkeson that the districts would be added.
The ordinance has 16 bullet points to follow. Violators will be fined $500 per day. Residents can lose their ability to harbor chickens after three separate code enforcement violations.
