WANT CHICKENS IN VENICE FL

[RIVERA69R]

I WOULD LOVE TO GET A FEW CHICKENS FOR EGG PURPOSES AND I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY SPECIFIC LAWS SAYING I CANNOT HAVE THEM BUT STILL NOT SURE I LIVE IN VENICE FLORIDA ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT THANKS

 

[Karlachix]

http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=11650&sid=9

Section 10-4 states you can't let them roam free in the city. The only animal it seems to specifically outlaw is pigs.

 

[RIVERA69R]

THANKS FOR THE FOLLOW UP THATS WHAT I SAW ON MUNICODE SO I GUESS ME AND MY SON WILL GET STARTED ON THE COOP HES REAL EXCITED THANKS

 

[chickenlickin8]

I having trouble doing a search for my city or town....I don't see anything under municode for Valrico, FL unless I am doing the search wrong. I noticed that two other homes in my neighborhood have chickens and we have farms with cows scattered around right down from our neighborhood...we are also NOT deed restricted. Can anyone find anything for Valrico? THANKS!

 

[wohneli]

I live in Gainesville and chickens for agriculture are illegal where my house is. I get around it by naming my chickens, thus making them pets, ie. no law against pet chickens.

 

[SarasotaClucker]

Please consider joining Sarasota CLUCK. You can join our Facebook Group Sarasota CLUCK. Also check our blog http://sarasotacluck.blogspot.com/

and website

http://www.sarasotacluck.com/

I just checked Municode for Venice and the word 'agriculture' does not come up. 'Agricultural' shows up four times but I don't see how any of those can be connected to two hens in a yard. Consequently, I don't really see how Mr. Slaughter (Venice Planning and Zoning Director) can argue this constitutes 'agricultural use'.

The Noise Control section refers only to " excessive and unnecessary noise caused by animals". (4) Animals. Owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which create unusually loud, excessive and unnecessary noise across a residential or commercial real property line or within a noise-sensitive zone. So if the hens are not being excessive and only making necessary noises, that shouldn't be an issue.

The nuisance sections only refer to animals 'at large'. Dogs are allowed at large on the owners property, which suggests 'at large' means 'loose' in Venice. Sec. 10-2. Dogs running at large.It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, harbors, keeps or maintains any dog to allow or permit the dog to roam, wander or run at large within the city, except that any person who owns, harbors, keeps or maintains a dog may allow the dog to run at large solely upon the property owned or leased by such person. So that might be interpreted to mean chickens have to be cooped at all times, even on one's property.

SOME ARGUMENTS:

1) If two hens are agricultural, then shouldn't growing tomatoes, basil, mangos, or oranges also be deemed 'agricultural' in Venice?

2) It seems like agriculture is a form of commerce -- you grow plants or animals and sell them or their products for food or fiber. In fact we have ag. zoning. I would argue (as the Property appraiser probably does): No commerce, no agriculture.

3) Every farm I've ever been to has dogs and cats. Aren't these therefore agricultural?

Livestock connotes a utilitarian role for the animals... You should emphasize you are talking about pets, not some agricultural operation.

 

[Sandydandy]

Can I have hens in south Venice Florida as long as my yard is fenced?

 

[Kelsbug7]

Can I have hens in south Venice Florida as long as my yard is fenced?

Answer is yes. Four hens max, no roosters, and your coop has to be I think 10’ from your property line. Sorry this is such a late reply! Do you still have chickens? I’m in Venice as well and I just got some

 

[khaleesimotherofchickens]

I know I'm late to the party on this thread but we should start a chicken club for all us Venetians!