AUGUST 21st is the BIG DAY for Brevard County Florida with backyard chicken code change!!! AVID HOMESTEAD is on the agenda for the Brevard County Board of Commissioners meeting which will be at the Viera government center (2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way - downstairs boardroom ) beginning at 9:00 a.m. PLEASE make plans to attend this meeting if you are able!!! We have had LOTS of positive feedback, but the number of supporters who attend in person always makes a difference!!
Well, there is MUCH to update for Brevard County Chicken change!!!
WHAT WE ARE DOING: Asking Brevard County to make significant changes to county level code that will allow a minimum of 4-6 chickens (hens only, no roosters) per RESIDENTIALLY ZONED household beginning with a .2 acre lot.
WHO WE ARE: our site is called AVID HOMESTEAD
www.avidhomestead.com We are two individuals who wish to see significant code change to allow for backyard chickens, backyard gardening and homesteading. Our names are Margaret Goudelock and Toby Napier. We are ONE VERY BUSY FAMILY with two beautiful girls, three large dogs, quite a few rabbits and a chicken named SOLO (we are only permitted ONE chicken on TWO ACRES).
HOW WE GOT HERE: In discussions with code enforcement, we determined to change Brevard County code to be more transparent and less OBFUSCATED so that the general lay person can understand what is permitted on their property. We started with an online and paper petitions that as of July 2012 have garnered over 1,500 signatures.
WHAT WILL THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DO TO PASS THIS? Discussion will be held at the Aug. 21st meeting and Robin Sobrino and Cindy Fox of the Brevard County Planning and Zoning Board will present their report regarding backyard chickens and make their recommendations to the five commissioners. In order for this to be approved, there must be THREE OUT OF FIVE commissioners supporting code change.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME if I do not live in the county? For example, if you live in the CITY OF PALM BAY or the CITY OF ROCKLEDGE (or anywhere in city limits), once county code is changed, you as a city resident can contact your City Council and ask that the city adopt the new county code. Please contact Avid Homestead and we will always be happy to help you.
WHAT IS GOING ON NOW: We are planning and getting ready for the Aug. 21st meeting. Toby and I made face to face or phone appointments with four out of the five commissioners. We have asked our commissioner, Robin Fisher to come by our house which is called The Farmhouse in Cocoa to see what backyard chickens are really like. We have had so many positive comments from all the board members, but we would really like to share OUR homesteading experience with our very own elected representative.
HOW CAN CODE IN BREVARD COUNTY BE SIMPLE? SIMPLE!!! We have asked that families be allowed TWO HENS for every .1 acres of their property. Beginning with a .2 acre lot, this would allow FOUR HENS which could provide enough eggs for a family of four. Florida law limits produce sales on or from private property, so we are requesting this increase strictly for homesteading purposes. Agriculturally zoned property in Brevard County has no limit on the number of chickens (hens or roosters) that an individual may have.
We are working with individuals in the Planning and Zoning Department to develop a clear, concise code that will be as open as possible ie: no large setbacks, building codes applying to coops, permits, etc. We have not set A MAXIMUM BIRD LIMIT based on property size, but realistically, we should expect one.
WILL ROOSTERS BE ALLOWED? No. At .2 acres, a rooster can be a nuisance. We are not asking for code change to allow roosters.
DOES COUNTY CODE CHANGE OVERRIDE the bylaws of my HOA or city rules? NO.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Come to the meeting on Aug. 21st, sign up to be a writer or homesteading contributor at AVID HOMESTEAD, call your commissioner, TALK to your friends and neighbors about backyard chickens, RECYCLE!!!
Thanks so much for reading and please feel free to contact us at any time!!! Best, Margaret and Toby
