Pasco County, FL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- LDC Sec. 530.25 (Ord. 25-44)
- Effective date
- November 12, 2025
- Hen limit
- Up to 4 hens; roosters prohibited
- Coop standards
- 4 sq ft/hen; max 100 sq ft; max 8 ft tall; side/rear yard
- Permit
- No registration or permit required
Summary
Pasco County Ordinance 25-44 created Land Development Code Section 530.25, effective November 12, 2025, allowing residents to keep backyard chickens (hens only, for egg production) in most residential districts, with no permit required; the detailed limits in Chapter 14 cap most households at four hens, prohibit roosters, and set coop standards.
530.25 Backyard Chickens. Intent and Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow the keeping of backyard chickens (exclusively hens) for the purposes of egg production within residential districts, excluding MF-1, MF-2 and MF-3. The E-R Estate-Residential District and the ER-2 Estate-Residential District are not subject to the requirements of Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances as the keeping of chickens is permitted by right in those Districts pursuant to Sections 509 and 510 of this Code. Where a nonconforming use for a dwelling unit on a commercially zoned parcel has been established in accordance with LDC Section 1200 Nonconformities, the parcel shall be considered a residential district for the purpose of this Section. The setbacks shall be in accordance with the required setbacks of the nearest zoning district where minimum lot area, width, depth, or setback regulations can be met. The conditions and regulations for the keeping of chickens within these zoning districts are contained within Chapter 14 of the Pasco County Code of Ordinances, incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, individual restrictive covenants may prohibit the keeping of chickens. The provisions of this Section do not supersede any covenant or restriction of record.
Full Breakdown
25 of the Land Development Code, adopted by Board of County Commissioners Ordinance No. 25-44 (filed with the State November 13, 2025; effective November 12, 2025), authorizes the keeping of backyard chickens 'exclusively hens' for egg production within residential districts, excluding the multifamily MF-1, MF-2, and MF-3 districts. The Estate-Residential (E-R) and ER-2 districts already permit chickens by right under LDC Sections 509 and 510 and are not subject to Chapter 14's added conditions. The operational rules are incorporated by reference into Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances and, per Pasco County Code Compliance, allow up to four hens per household, prohibit roosters (a chick that matures into a rooster must be removed before it begins crowing), require a minimum of 4 square feet of coop space per hen with a maximum coop size of 100 square feet and maximum height of 8 feet, and require coops/runs to be located in side or rear yards only.
No registration or permit is required. 25 expressly does not supersede any covenant or restriction of record. Larger livestock (cattle, horses, goats, swine) are limited to agricultural and large-lot residential zoning under LDC Sections 504-506, where livestock for the occupant's use is generally capped at roughly three grazing animals per acre and one swine per acre.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a rooster, exceeding the hen limit, or violating coop/setback standards is a Land Development Code violation enforced by Pasco County Code Compliance and may also be addressed under Chapter 14; Chapter 14 violations are civil infractions carrying penalties of up to $500.00 per offense under Sec. 14-33, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Pasco County?
Are roosters allowed?
What are the coop rules?
Can I keep goats, horses, or cattle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco County
How Pasco County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pasco County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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