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ORDmANCE 1462-23
<br />AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS,
<br />FLORIDA CREATING A NEW SECTION TO CHAPTER 93 OF THE CITY OF
<br />ZEPHYRHULLS CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 93.03 ESTABLISHING
<br />REGULATIONS FOR THE KEEPING, HARBORING AND MAINTENANCE OF
<br />BACKYARD CHICKENS; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY, REPEALER,
<br />SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND PROVTOING AN
<br />EFFECTIVE DATE.
<br />WHEREAS, pursuant to Article VIII, Florida Constitution and Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, the City of
<br />Zephyrhills has broad home mle powers to carry out city government, including the power to adopt
<br />ordinances to provide for the public health, safety and welfare; and
<br />WHEREAS, an interest in local food sources, food resilience and desire for fresher, more nutritious foods
<br />is being embraced by residents throughout the country; and
<br />WHEREAS, the City of Zephyrhills intends to integrate sustainability and resilience strategies that foster
<br />healthy communities, educate and empower residents to lead healthy, sustainable lifestyles, and invest in
<br />the wellbeing and success of our children; and
<br />WHEREAS, many communities in Florida and throughout the United States have found in adopting
<br />ordinances to integrate the keeping of chickens in residential areas that up to four (4) chickens are sufficient
<br />to meet the needs of the average family's egg consumption; and
<br />WHEREAS, pursuant to law, notice has been given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation
<br />in the City, notifying the public of the proposed ordinance and of a public hearing; and
<br />WHEREAS, the City Council has conducted duly noticed public hearings as required by law, at which
<br />hearings all parties in interest and citizens were afforded notice and the opportunity to be heard; and
<br />WHEREAS, the City Council hereby finds and declares that this Ordinance is in the best interest of the
<br />public health, safety and welfare, and that it advances a valid and important public purpose.
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Zephyrhills, Florida, that
<br />the following addition to the City of Zephyrhills Code of Ordinances shall be referred to as the "Backyard
<br />Chickens Ordinances," as follows:
<br />SECTION 1. Authority
<br />This ordinance is enacted pursuant to Chapter 166, Florida Statutes (2022), and under the home mle powers
<br />of the City.
<br />SECTION 2. Legislative Findings of Fact
<br />The foregoing Whereas clauses are hereby adopted as legislative finds of the City Council of the City of
<br />Zephyrhills and are ratified and confinned as being tme and correct and are hereby made a specific part of
<br />the Ordinance upon adoption.
<br />SECTION 3. Purpose and Intent
<br />This Ordinance establishes standards and regulations for the keeping, harboring and maintenance of
<br />backyard chickens in the City of Zephyrhills, Florida, to protect public health, safety and welfare.
<br />SECTION 4. Establishment of Section 93.03 Standards and Conditions for the Keeping of
<br />Backyard Chickens
<br />93.03 Standards and Conditions for the Kee in of Back ard Chickens
<br />Backyard Chickens shall be permitted to be raised, kept, maintained, harbored and/or allowed as an
<br />accessory use to owner-occupied single-family detached residential dwelling units in the following
<br />zonmg districts: Estate Residential (ER), Low Density Residential (Rl), Single-Family Residential
<br />(R2), and Medium Density Residential (R3). The keeping of live domesticated chickens shall be
<br />prohibited m all other zoning districts and on all duplex and multi-family residential lots.
<br />(A) A maximum of four (4) chickens, whether hens or pullets or a combination thereof, shall
<br />be kept on a property at any one given time. The keeping of roosters, capons or cockerels
<br />shall be prohibited.
<br />(B) All chickens shall be protected from the elements and kept in a secure enclosure at all
<br />times; except that chickens may be allowed outside the enclosure periodically between
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