New Castle County Delaware laws

[Lukettner]

My family and I really would like to have chickens. The information I have found, it appears you are not allowed to have chickens in our county. Can anyone help me navigate and figure this out? Is there any hope for us? Thank you in advance!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Post an image or link to specific ordinances in question for your county.

 

[ReluctantMANGO]

I have been keeping an eye on this too... very difficult to have backyard chickens in New Castle County, DE. See details below.

NCCo Municipal Code

• Sec. 4.02.004. - Prohibited animals in certain residential areas.
  
  A.
  It shall be unlawful for any owner, tenant or other person in control of a property to raise, breed, keep, shelter or harbor any cattle, poultry, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, geese, waterfowl, guinea hens, chickens, turkeys, donkeys, quail, doves, llamas, raccoons, muskrats, nondomesticated mammals, game fowl, pigeons, pheasants, peacocks, foxes, minks, exotic animals, wild animals, game animals and other like animals on a parcel of land which is less than one (1) acre in total area and located in any residentially zoned district, a diversified planned unit development or an MM zoned district.
  B.
  This Section shall not apply to the keeping, sheltering or harboring of animals in connection with bona fide educational programs run or overseen by a public or private elementary, middle or secondary school or a college or university or the Delaware Cooperative Extension Education Program, the 4-H or the Newark Pigeon Club, Wilmington Homing Club or Delmarva Pigeon Club. Participation in the educational programs or pigeon clubs listed shall constitute an affirmative defense.
  C.
  This Section shall not apply to the keeping, sheltering or harboring of horses.
  D.
  Any person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be subject to punishment as provided in Section 1.01.009.
  E.
  The County Complaints Department is charged with the responsibility of enforcing this Section.
  (Code 1983, § 3A-6; Code 1995, § 4-29; Ord. No. 97-038, § 2, 7-22-1997; Ord. No. 10-113, § 1(Exh. A), 1-18-2011)