Gainesville, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

39 lets residents in the SF, RC, U1, and U2 zoning districts keep fowl or livestock as an accessory use, but sets a strict permitted-species table. Only Gallus Domesticus hens are allowed, capped at 10 per single-family residence, with no other fowl types permitted at all. Every other listed animal is flatly prohibited as a residential accessory use: horses and other equine animals, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and rabbits. Birds and any permitted livestock must be kept strictly for personal use, with an exception for youth projects like 4-H or FFA; on-premise sales of animals or their byproducts such as eggs or milk are barred, as is commercial raising or keeping.

Roosters, defined as any male chicken generally able to crow regardless of age, are banned outright in these districts, along with slaughtering hens on site. The whole activity must avoid creating a public nuisance under chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances. Hens must be contained in a covered coop or fenced pen located in the rear half of the lot behind the principal structure, and it is unlawful to let hens run loose on streets, alleys, public places, or a neighbor's property. The coop and pen must meet the same setback requirements that apply to any accessory structure in that zoning district, must be kept clean and sanitary, free of insects, rodents, and detectable odor at the property line, and stored feed must sit in rodent- and raccoon-proof containers.

A building permit is not required for a coop that is movable or prefabricated and 12 square feet or smaller; larger or fixed coops need a permit and full accessory-structure compliance.