The City of Sarasota authorizes up to 4 hens per single-family housing unit under Chapter 8 (Animals). No roosters are permitted outside agricultural zones. Enclosures must be at least 10 feet from any property line, predator-proof, and rodent-resistant. Owners must complete a chicken-keeping class.
Sarasota's urban-chicken ordinance was adopted unanimously after the 'CLUCK' (Citizens Lobby for Urban Chicken Keeping) effort. Ch. 8 sets the framework: 4 hens maximum per single-family housing unit, no roosters except in agricultural zones, enclosures at least 10 feet from any adjacent property line, all coops kept in neat condition with regular waste removal, all feed secured against rodents and pests, and predator protection required. Owners must complete an approved chicken-keeping class before acquiring birds. The Sarasota CLUCK / Community Harvest SRQ provides the training. The ordinance also required a 3-year staff report to the City Commission on practical operation.
Ch. 8 violations carry civil penalties up to $500 per offense under Sec. 1-11. Repeated noise complaints (roosters in non-agricultural zones, sustained crowing) trigger Sec. 20-4(a)(2)(e) noise violations as well. Code Compliance can require removal of birds for repeat enclosure or sanitation failures.
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