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Boone County considers expanding backyard chicken allowances through potential zoning updates

 
Boone County considers expanding backyard chicken allowances through potential zoning updates
Gary W. Moore Judge/Executive | Boone County - KY

Backyard chickens are currently allowed only in certain neighborhoods of Boone County, depending on the zoning of the area. The Boone County Fiscal Court is reviewing these zoning requirements to consider expanding permission for residents in more districts to keep chickens, bees, and rabbits.

Under current regulations, chickens, bees, and rabbits are generally permitted in Agricultural (A1-A2) zones. These areas have the most relaxed rules regarding livestock and allow additional structures like chicken coops or barns. Rural Suburban Estates (RSE) and Rural Suburban (RS) zones also permit household agriculture if homes are on at least one acre of land. In these zones, animals must be kept for personal or hobby use rather than commercial purposes.

Residents whose zoning allows backyard animals must still follow certain regulations. They need approval before building a chicken coop by contacting the Boone County Planning Commission and completing a zoning permit application for accessory structures. A separate permit from the Boone County Building Department is also required. Roosters are typically only allowed in agricultural zones. There is no limit on the number of chickens as long as they are not used commercially. However, Homeowner Association (HOA) rules override county zoning; if an HOA prohibits backyard chickens, residents cannot keep them even if their zone allows it.

In contrast, suburban residential zones (SR-1, SR-2, SR-3), urban residential zones (UR-1, UR-2, UR-3), and all neighborhoods within the City of Florence prohibit backyard chickens regardless of other factors due to their own local regulations.

The initial reason for restricting household agriculture in suburban and urban areas was to reduce potential impacts on neighbors.

The Fiscal Court encourages residents to share their feedback about possible changes to these ordinances with court members Gary W. Moore (Judge/Executive), Cathy Flaig (Commissioner – District 1), Chet Hand (Commissioner – District 2), and Jesse Brewer (Commissioner – District 3).

An upcoming caucus meeting will take place Thursday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m., at the Boone County Administration Building in Burlington. Michael Schwartz from the Boone County Planning Commission will present findings and recommendations regarding technical aspects of household agriculture regulation changes. Residents can attend this meeting to provide input; however, no votes or official decisions will be made during this session.