Woodstock, GA

[b_26]

Anyone live in Woodstock, GA and have backyard chickens? We are new to the area. We do not have and HOA. We will have 2 acres and I'm having difficulty finding how many hens we can have? It appears as though we can have 2-8 hens? Any direction is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you link or type out the ordinance in question?

 

[b_26]

Can you link or type out the ordinance in question?

7.7-24 Animal Production (LBCS 9300)
a. The raising and keeping of livestock for non-commercial purposes (i.e. personal pleasure) shall be allowed in all residential districts on tracts of two (2) acres or more, but limited to one animal per acre except as otherwise allowed herein.
May 21, 2019
7-49
(1)
Backyard chickens: The keeping of hens supports a local, sustainable food system by providing an affordable, nutritious food source of fresh eggs. The keeping of hens also provides free nitrogen-rich fertilizer; chemical-free pest control; animal companionship and pleasure; and weed control, among other notable benefits.
This regulation is intended to make provision for the limited keeping of female chickens (Gallus domesticus), referred to as hens, for the health, convenience and personal enjoyment benefits afforded by such use within single family residential districts provided that:
i. No more than 8 hens are kept on a residential lot as a non-commercial accessory use
(i) Said residential lot must be 20,000 sf or greater
(ii) Residential lots greater than 8 acres may keep one additional hen per every whole acre over 8 acres
ii. No rooster shall be kept upon the property
iii. The slaughter of any hen on site is strictly prohibited.
iv. Hens shall be confined to a fenced enclosure located in backyard only. The enclosure shall be at least twenty five (25) feet from any property lines and
Cherokee County Zoning Ordinance Article 7 – District Uses and Regulations
fifty (50) feet from residential structures on adjacent properties, and shall enclose an area of not less than 10 sf per hen.
v. Within the fenced enclosure, a well-maintained structure (henceforth referred to as a coop) shall be required for the hens. The coop must be less than 15 feet in height and impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats, and must contain 2 sf per hen.
vi. The coop and area within the fenced enclosure must be clean and odor- free, kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all times, in a manner that will not disturb the use or enjoyment of neighboring lots due to noise, odor or other adverse impact.
vii. Odors from hens, hen waste, or other hen-related substances shall not be perceptible at the property boundaries.
viii. Provision must be made for the storage and removal of hen droppings and any dead birds. All stored droppings shall be covered by a fully enclosed structure with a roof or lid over the entire structure. All other droppings not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed. In addition, the coop, enclosure and surrounding area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings. Dead hens must be disposed of in a sanitary manner.
ix. Perceptible noise from hens shall not be loud enough at the property boundaries to disturb persons of reasonable sensitivity (2010-Z-002, 10/05/10).
b. Animal quarters may be located no closer than seventy-five (75) feet to any property line when used in the care and breeding of livestock such as cattle, hogs, sheep, horses, i.e. farm animals.
c. Commercial stables and riding academies are permitted in R-80, R-60 & R-40 districts provided that:
(1) The parcel is a minimum of 5 acres.
(2) The quantity of livestock on the parcel does not exceed 1 animal per acre.
d. The raising and keeping of wild animals is permitted provided that the owner or custodian of such wild animals has received an appropriate permit and meets all the requirements of the State of Georgia and further provided that no animal quarters are located closer than two hundred (200) feet to any property line.

https://www.cherokeega.com/Planning...cle-7-District-UsesandRegulations20190521.pdf

 

[rosemarythyme]

According to what you posted, you can have up to 8 hens.

The "livestock on the parcel does not exceed 1 animal per acre" appears to only apply to larger livestock such as horses or maybe goats (they'd probably specify what exactly "livestock" entails in another section, but for the purposes of your post, it sounds like they're categorizing chickens as poultry and not as livestock).

 

[b_26]

Thank you! That helps!