Sarasota, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max flock
- 4 hens, roosters prohibited
- Coop setback
- 10 ft from property line
- House setback
- 25 ft from neighboring homes
- Selling eggs
- prohibited citywide
Summary
Single-family homes in the City of Sarasota can keep up to four hens, no roosters, no egg sales, in a secure coop set back from the front yard and neighboring homes.
(2)Any poultry, except chickens being kept, harbored, raised, or maintained as accessory to a residential single-family structure, subject to the following restrictions: a.No more than four (4) chickens may be kept, with roosters prohibited; b.No person shall slaughter any chickens; ... e. ...nor shall the henhouse/coop be closer than ten (10) feet to any property line of an adjacent property, nor within twenty-five (25) feet of any adjacent residential structure. ... h.The sale of eggs or any other chicken products generated in the City of Sarasota is prohibited;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Zoning: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
City of Sarasota Code § 8-2(a)(2) exempts backyard chickens from the general poultry ban: single-family properties can keep up to four hens, with roosters prohibited and slaughtering banned. Chickens must live in a movable, rodent-proof coop or fenced run, never in the front yard, and no closer than ten feet to a property line or twenty-five feet to a neighboring residence, with at least four square feet per bird and no detectable odor at the property boundary. Selling eggs or other chicken products raised in the city is also prohibited. Violations carry the citywide general penalty of up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding four hens, keeping a rooster, or violating coop setback and sanitation rules is punishable under Sec. 1-11: up to a $500 fine, 60 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Sarasota?
Can I sell eggs from my backyard flock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota
How Sarasota compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sarasota County handle chickens & livestock.