Titusville OKs backyard chickens, but you have to take a class first

TITUSVILLE, Fla. – It took weeks of debate among the City Council and even a visit from a woman dressed in a chicken suit, but Titusville residents now have the go-ahead to own backyard chickens. 

That is, if they take a class, pay a fee and submit an application, the updated ordinance states. 

In August, Titusville City Council members approved changes to the city's code of ordinances to allow up to four backyard chickens, but concerned members urged that the new law include some stipulations, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.

"I think we are doing the neighbors and the person (applying) a disservice" if there aren't regulations, said Mayor Walt Johnson, who was the sole vote against the allowance of chickens. "... People don’t want to call (code enforcement) on their neighbors, and I don’t think we should put them in that position."

The approved ordinance requires that residents must first provide proof that they have completed a backyard chicken training class hosted by the University of Florida Brevard County Extension Service or an equivalent program. The first of those classes will take place Saturday at 9 a.m. at the extension service's office at 3695 Lake Drive in Cocoa. The cost of the class is $10. 

Once that is completed, residents must apply for a permit with the city and pay a $10 fee. Permit applications must include a sketch that illustrates how the chicken coops will meet city regulations. 

The ordinance states that chickens must be kept in an enclosure or coop, and the coop must be at least 10 feet from the rear or side property line of any residential lot. Coops also must be screened from neighbors, either with a fence or landscaping, and cannot exceed 120 square feet. Only hens are allowed — no roosters — and ducks, geese and other fowl are still off-limits. 

Eddy Galindo, natural resources planner for the city of Titusville, said only one permit has been approved since the August approval, but he expects a flurry of applications to come next week following Saturday's class. 

Katrina Foster-Fernandez was one of several residents to speak out at the meeting discussing the chicken ordinance. Fernandez said she had to give up her pet chickens when she learned that it was against city rules to keep them in her backyard. She already is registered for the class, and looks forward to getting back her pets.

"We are very fortunate to be getting three of them back, and I will be attending the chicken class this Saturday, and applying for my permit on Monday," she said. "We visit our chickens weekly and were able to evacuate with them for the hurricane. I love them so much and am so excited that they will be coming home soon."

They are members of the family, she said, and her family even makes them matching costumes for Halloween. Having chickens has a number of benefits, she told the council, not only are they a source of eggs, but they are a learning tool for children. 

Titusville now joins other municipalities that allow chickens. In February, the city of Cocoa voted to adopt a two-year pilot program for chickens. Up to 15 backyard chickens are allowed in rural-zoned areas, and four chickens are allowed in other residential zones. Homeowners' associations can trump this rule.

Satellite Beach also passed a chicken pilot program following a countywide allowance for unincorporated areas. The Brevard County Commission voted in 2012 to allow up to four hens per half acre.

Other cities that allow chickens include Rockledge, Melbourne, Malabar and Sebastian, with restrictions.