Wording of Proposed Residential Urban Chicken Keeping City Code Amendment

CITY CODE, CHAPTER 8 - ANIMALS

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. “chicken

tractor”) and must be kept in the covered enclosure or a fenced enclosure at all

times. No covered enclosure or fenced enclosure shall be located in the front

yard nor shall it be closer than ten (10) feet to any property line of an adjacent

property,

d. 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 and to protect the chickens from

predators. Enclosures shall be kept in neat condition, including provision of

clean, dry bedding materials and regular removal of waste materials,

e. 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;

(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 cars;

b. In an outside enclosure, coop or pen, up to a maximum of two 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.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, private restrictions on the use of

property and keeping of animals shall remain enforceable and take precedence over the standards

herein. Private restrictions include but are not limited to deed restrictions, condominium master

deed restrictions, neighborhood association by-laws, and covenant deeds. The interpretation and

enforcement of the private restriction is the sole responsibility of the private parties involved.