CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: September 1, 2021
Agenda Date: September 14, 2021
Prepared By: Charlene Neuterman, Interim Community Services Director
Through: Stockton Whitten, City Manager
Requested Action:
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Proposed Backyard Chicken Ordinance to be presented at a later meeting for adoption by Council.
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BACKGROUND:
Councilman Dyal requested Staff create a permanent Ordinance allowing chickens on occupied single-family properties in the City of Cocoa. Below, is some background on the temporary Backyard Chicken Pilot Program the City adopted previously.
City Council adopted Ordinance 15-2014 on April 22, 2014, which provided for a non-binding referendum question regarding whether City Council should amend the City Code to allow the raising and keeping of chickens on residential property for domestic (non-commercial) purposes. The question was on the November 4, 2014, election ballot. Voters approved the non-binding referendum question with more than 54 percent of electors voting in favor of the amending the City Code.
January 11, 2017 - Planning and Zoning Board recommended and approved the Backyard Chicken Pilot Program.
January 24, 2017 - Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 01-2017 with an application fee of $50.
February 14, 2017 - Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 01-2017 to have a two-year expiration date of February 14, 2019.
Backyard Chicken Pilot Program Guidelines
* Persons desiring to participate in the Backyard Chicken Pilot Program must apply for and obtain a permit ($50.00 fee) prior to the keeping of chickens.
* Persons applying for a permit must provide evidence of successful completion of a University of Florida Agricultural Extension Service class, or equivalent, on the care and raising of chickens.
* Up to 4 chickens may be kept on an occupied single-family property within the proper zoning district as noted above.
* The term "chicken" for this program refers to female chicke...
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