Help understanding my local laws (Orlando, FL)

[Giraffemsw]

Hi all! I live just on the outskirts of Orlando, FL. Last night, Orlando passed a pilot program that would allow a limited number of families to have up to 3 hens. Unfortunately, since I am just outside of the city limits, I don't think I can participate in this program. So in researching my county ordinances, I found:

Poultry raising or keeping shall be a permitted use, provided that it is limited to one hundred (100) birds or less, and the lot is located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from all residential zoned districts. All pens, enclosures, or waste disposal activities shall not be located any closer than fifty (50) feet from the property line or one hundred (100) feet from a residential dwelling unit and shall not be located any closer than fifty (50) feet from the normal high water elevation of any natural water body. ("Poultry" shall mean domestic fowl such as chickens, roosters, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, hens, quails, pheasants and squabs.)

And:

The raising or keeping of poultry for domestic purposes shall be a permitted use, provided that it is limited to thirty (30) birds or less, and the lot is located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from all residential zoned districts. All pens, enclosures, or waste disposal activities shall not be located any closer than fifty (50) feet from the property line or one hundred (100) feet from a residential dwelling unit and shall not be located any closer than fifty (50) feet from the normal high water elevation of any natural water body. ("Poultry" shall mean domestic fowl such as chickens, roosters, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, hens, quails, pheasants and squabs.)



It appears that I have to first live in a location that is not zoned residential? And then, I still have to keep the coop 50-100feet away from all structures and property lines. So if I'm in a traditional neighborhood, this means I can't have chickens at all right? I just want to make sure I am understanding the ordinances. If so, my next step is to schedule a meeting with my county commissioner to ask them to consider expanding the pilot program to the county residences.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That is not a bad approach, but what I would suggest is first find out who the animal enforcement officer is in your area and talk to them. Since you are outside the city limits, I'd suggest calling the county sheriff's office or whoever is you law enforcement agency and see who would respond to an animal complaint. Find out how those rules would be interpretted for you. It would be embarassing to show up with a request when you are already OK.

It is possible you are in some type of homeowner's association or a subdivision that has specific rules. The county rules may not be all that apply to you, even if you are out of the ciity limits.

Those codes are hard to interpret. Whe it says a "permitted" use, that may mean it is allowed or it may mean you need a permit. There could easily be other paragraphs in the codes that would affect you. I'd talk to the person in charge of enforcing the rules and find out where I stand before I asked to be included in a pilot program.