If lot size is 1/4 acre or less, a maximum of 8 chickens are allowed.
Roosters Allowed
Yes, must be kept 100 yards from another dwelling, unless the other dwelling also has roosters.
Permit Required
None
Coop Restrictions
None
City/Organization Contact name
Escambia County Backyard Chicken Owners
Additional Information
The City of Pensacola has allowed chickens to be kept in the city for around 150 years. On July 16, 2012 the Pensacola City Council amended Ordinances sections 4-2-1, 4-2-3, 4-2-4, 4-2-5 and repealed section 4-2-6(b). This changed the Poultry and Fowl Ordinances to allow:
Allows up to 8 chickens on your property
Prohibits roosters
Allows free ranging on your property
Changed the setback from 50 feet to 30 feet of adjacent dwellings, churches, hospitals, schools, public buildings or parks.
Prohibits keeping poultry for sale, unless allowed by zoning.
Prohibits slaughtering of poultry
While chickens were legal in the city, they have been prohibited in Escambia County residentially zoned areas since 1987. On August 20, 2013 the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to amend Part III of the Escambia County Code of Ordinances (1999), the Land Development Code of Escambia County, Florida, Article 6, Section 6.03.01 by adding the possession of live chickens as a permitted accessory use for single-family residential dwellings. Raising of chickens is allowed in all zoning districts except Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key where single-family residential dwellings are permitted primary uses, provided the following standards must be met:
The owner or occupant of a lot that is ¼ acre or less in size may not possess more than eight (8) chickens.
Roosters are only permitted if kept no less than one-hundred (100) yards from any inhabited residential dwelling other than the dwelling of the owner thereof or the person keeping the same.
Between sunrise and sunset, chickens may roam freely in the fenced rear yard of a single lot. During all other times, chickens must be kept in secure coops, pens or enclosures that prevent access from predators.
All pens, coops, or enclosures must be a minimum of 10 feet from rear and side property line of a single lot and 20 feet from any residential dwelling located on an adjacent lot.
Chickens may not be kept for commercial purposes unless otherwise allowed by zoning.
NOTE: This information was submitted by a member of our chicken forum. Please make sure to double check that this information is accurate before you proceed with raising chickens. Learn more about local chicken laws and ordinances.
