Tampa Florida Chicken Ordinance

City of Tampa, Department of Code Enforcement: 813-274-8211

Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Dept: 813-274-6600

According to Tampa Florida Code of Ordinances (Ch 19, Div 4, Sec 76):

It is unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or maintain any
farm animal, except under the following conditions:

(1) Animals must be kept within an enclosed area which is a
    minimum of two hundred (200) feet from any dwelling on an
    adjoining parcel of land in separate ownership. 

(2) Land requirements for fowl is five thousand (5,000) square
    feet of land for each five (5) fowl or fraction thereof;

Note:  Sec 19-76 doesn't specifically forbid roosters, however, Sec 19-77 states:

No person, being the owner of or having charge of any animal,
shall permit it to unreasonably annoy humans...The term
'public nuisance animal' shall mean and include, but is not
limited to, any animal that:

(5) Excessively makes disturbing noises...

As many varieties of roosters tend to crow intermittently throughout the day and night, this is why Tampa Code Enforcement officials considers all roosters "public nuisance animals".  If you believe these blanket ordinances are too restrictive, especially with hard times approaching, by all means contact your Mayor and City Council to demand that changes be made.

[UPDATE]:  In April 2012, the Tampa City Council voted in favor of amending city code to relax restrictions thus allowing citizens to keep backyard chickens. A study will be conducted until late 2012 to determine how best to change the code for least number of chickens, coop requirements, etc.  The Council will meet again (most likely in early 2013) to pass vote on the amendments.

http://www.tampagov.net/msg?ID=246

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