Residential Poultry and Agricultural Regulations in the City of Orlando
Residential lots within the City of Orlando are permitted to maintain backyard chickens, provided the property owner obtains a permit and places the coop exclusively in the rear yard. All chicken coops in the City of Orlando must be located at least 20 feet from any neighboring residential home and at least 5 feet from the property line. While the City of Orlando Code of Ordinances identifies various plant species that are attractive to or serve as pollen sources for bees, these specific code sections do not provide explicit permissions or standards for the keeping of bees or larger livestock on standard residential parcels.
Backyard Chickens in the City of Orlando
The City of Orlando allows for the keeping of chickens on residential lots as an accessory use, governed by specific structural and locational standards to ensure neighborhood compatibility.
Permit Requirements
Before establishing a coop, a property owner must obtain a planning official determination from the City of Orlando. The applicant must provide a survey or site plan showing the proposed location, photos of the area, and proof of successful completion of a University of Florida Agricultural Extension Service class regarding backyard chickens [Section 58.901(i)(4-5)].
Placement and Setback Standards
Backyard chicken coops are strictly prohibited in any front or side yard within the City of Orlando and must be situated in the rear yard [Section 58.901(i)(1)]. The structure must maintain a significant distance from neighboring dwellings to mitigate potential nuisances.
| Feature | City of Orlando Requirement |
|---|---|
| Permitted Location | Rear Yard Only [Section 58.901(i)(1)] |
| Minimum Distance from Neighboring Homes | 20 feet [Section 58.901(i)(2)] |
| Minimum Setback from Property Line | 5 feet [Section 58.901(i)(2)] |
| Minimum Setback from Principal Structure | 5 feet [Section 58.901(i)(2)] |
| Maximum Structure Size | 50 square feet [Section 58.901(i)(3)] |
| Setback from other Accessory Structures | 0 feet [Section 58.901(i)(2)] |
Structural Requirements
The City of Orlando requires that all coops and pens be designed for safety and durability. The structure must be less than 50 square feet in total area and must include an attached run [Section 58.901(i)(3)]. To account for local weather conditions, the coop must be tied down to ensure wind resistance [Section 58.901(i)(3)].
Bees and Livestock
The provided sections of the City of Orlando Code of Ordinances do not explicitly detail regulations for the keeping of bees or general livestock (such as goats, pigs, or cows) on residential lots.
- Bees: The City of Orlando "Approved Plant List" identifies several species, such as the Gordonia lasianthus (Loblolly Bay) and Ilex x 'Mary Nell', as being attractive to or important pollen sources for bees, but it does not list standards for apiaries [Section 60.223; Figure 12].
- Livestock: The City of Orlando prohibits "stables" from being located within required bufferyards [Section 60.222(a)]. Additionally, the -H- Holding District is intended to preserve land for "agricultural or open space use" pending future development, though specific livestock permissions for standard residential districts (R-1, R-2, etc.) are not enumerated in these documents [Section 58.332].
Residential Gardens and Cultivation
While not strictly livestock, the City of Orlando encourages the use of residential lots for food production through vegetable gardens. These are permitted in front or street side yards provided they are not fallow for more than three months and utilize specific edge treatments [Section 60.223(j)(5-6)].
| Edge Treatment for Front Yard Gardens | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Fencing | 3 to 4 feet in height [Section 60.223(j)(6)(a)] |
| Planter Boxes | Enclosed on all sides; 18-inch setback from rights-of-way [Section 60.223(j)(6)(b)] |
| Buffer | 3-foot permanently planted buffer [Section 60.223(j)(6)(c)] |
Sections Cited
- Section 58.332 Rezones and Zoning Map Applications
- Section 58.901 Accessory Structure Location and Zoning Standards
- Section 60.222 Use of Bufferyards
- Section 60.223 One-Family and Two-Family Residential Development Standards
- Figure 12 Approved Plant List