In Suffolk, chickens and other agricultural animals are allowed only in the A, RR, and RE zoning districts and are prohibited in all other residential zones. Livestock must be fenced at least 20 feet from a neighbor's dwelling. UDO Sec. 31-702.
Suffolk is an independent city with large rural areas, and its animal rules are zoning-district-specific. Under Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 31-702(b), agricultural animals and livestock, which the animal code defines to include all poultry and fowl, are permitted only in the A (Agricultural), RR (Rural Residential), and RE (Rural Estate) districts and are prohibited in every other district. So backyard hens are not allowed on a typical residential-zoned lot. Where permitted, livestock must be fenced no closer than 20 feet from a dwelling on adjoining property. Horses require a minimum of two acres. Intensive poultry and livestock facilities carry separate acreage and setback standards.
Keeping chickens or livestock in a prohibited residential district is a zoning violation; Neighborhood Development Services can issue a notice, assess daily civil penalties, and order removal of the animals.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Suffolk does not regulate holiday decorations or lights, and no permit is required. The UDO's sign rules reach a display only if it carries a message and cou...
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Suffolk treats garage-sale signs as temporary yard signs: no permit needed, up to 8 square feet and 4 feet tall on residential property. Signs may not be pla...
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Suffolk regulates political signs as content-neutral temporary yard signs with no permit. In residential districts a yard sign may be up to 8 square feet and...
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Suffolk runs a rental inspection district program. In about 30 named neighborhoods, every residential rental unit needs a city certificate of occupancy after...
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Suffolk has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Under the VRLTA a landlord may end a month-to-month tenancy without giving a reason on 30 days' written notice....
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Suffolk has no rent control, and it cannot adopt one. Virginia is a Dillon's Rule state that grants no locality power to cap rent, so landlords set market ra...
See how Suffolk's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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