Santa Rosa County, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Whether you may keep chickens or livestock turns on your zoning under the county Land Development Code, not the animal ordinance. Poultry and livestock are classified as agricultural uses and are permitted in agriculturally zoned districts; the Estate Residential district expressly forbids keeping livestock or fowl, and residential districts generally do not allow poultry farms. The animal ordinance's nuisance section notes that 'animal' includes fowl 'except in agriculturally zoned districts.' A bona fide farm operation of a year or more that follows generally accepted practices is protected from nuisance claims by the Florida Right to Farm Act (FS 823.14). Check your parcel's zoning with the Property Appraiser or Development Services before adding animals.