Davie permits up to three poultry or fowl as pets in any residential district. Larger flocks - up to 25 poultry (RR/AG/A-1) or 5 poultry (R-1) - are allowed only on lots of 35,000 square feet or more in agricultural and estate districts, and must be kept in a completely penned area under Town Code Sec. 12-34(B).
Davie is one of South Florida's last true 'horse country' towns, and its land development code (Chapter 12, Sec. 12-34(B), implementing Ord. 2003-044) reflects that rural character. Up to three (3) poultry or fowl may be kept as pets in any residential zoning designation. Beyond that hobby level, keeping poultry is treated as a livestock/agricultural use and is tied to zoning district and lot size. In the RR (Rural Ranches), AG, A-1, RO, O, CC, B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2, and M-3 districts, up to 25 poultry and 10 rabbits are allowed on a lot of 35,000 square feet or greater, provided they are kept in a completely penned area. In the R-1 district, the allowance is 5 poultry and 10 rabbits on a 35,000-square-foot lot. 'Poultry' is defined in Sec. 12-503 as any chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, peafowl, guinea fowl, or pigeons. Critically, Sec. 12-34(B)(6) states that raising of horses, cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and rabbits 'is not permitted in any residential zoning district, except for RR, AG, A-1, and R-1' (plus legal nonconforming farm uses). On bona fide farms classified agricultural under Section 193.461, F.S., the number and types of animals are not restricted (Sec. 12-34(B)(2)(a)), subject to the swine restriction. Aviaries, roofed hutches, and similar structures must sit at least 40 feet from all property lines in the RR, AG, A-1, R-1, R-2 and several other districts. The Town's Farm Guide compiles these rules and notes that the Florida Right to Farm Act (Sec. 823.14, F.S.) protects bona fide farm operations on agriculturally classified land.
Keeping poultry beyond the three-pet limit in a residential district that is not RR, AG, A-1, or R-1, exceeding the per-district numeric caps, or failing to keep poultry in a completely penned area violates the land development code (Chapter 12) and is enforceable by Town code compliance through the code enforcement special magistrate under Chapter 162, F.S. Setback violations for aviaries, hutches, or coops (minimum 40 feet from property lines in covered districts) are likewise citable. Penalties are set by the special magistrate; agricultural uses on land classified under Section 193.461, F.S. that follow adopted best-management practices are protected from nuisance claims under the Florida Right to Farm Act.
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