Sarasota County's Unified Development Code allows up to four chickens (no roosters) on many residential lots, with coop setbacks and enclosure rules. Larger livestock is limited to agricultural and rural zoning districts.
Under the county's Unified Development Code, hens are permitted in certain residential districts, capped at four chickens per property and no roosters. Chickens must be kept in a movable covered coop or a fenced enclosure and secured in the coop during non-daylight hours. The coop cannot sit in the front or side yard, must be at least 10 feet from any adjacent property line and 25 feet from any adjacent residential structure, and odors must not be detectable at property boundaries. Farm animals and larger livestock (horses, cattle) are permitted only in agricultural/rural zoning per the UDC use table, subject to lot-size and setback standards. Rules apply to the unincorporated county.
Keeping roosters, exceeding four hens, or violating setback/enclosure standards is a code-enforcement violation subject to notice, abatement, and daily fines.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sarasota County, FL
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in Sarasota County. County code prohibits letting grass clippings, vegetative material, or debris wash, sweep, ...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County has no outright ban on residential artificial turf, but it does not count toward required landscape, open-space, or stormwater-pervious area....
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County promotes Florida-Friendly, drought-tolerant landscaping and requires water-efficient landscape design for new development. State law also pro...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County encourages rain barrels and cisterns as a conservation practice, and Florida law protects residential rainwater collection. There is no count...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County follows Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) rules. The standard year-round schedule allows watering twice per week by addres...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County treats excessive weeds and overgrown vegetation on developed lots as a code nuisance. Enforcement is complaint-based, beginning with a Notice...
See how Sarasota County's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.