Chickens & Livestock: Indiantown vs Stuart
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Indiantown, FL and Stuart, FL?
Indiantown and Stuart have similar restriction levels.
Indiantown, FL
Martin County
Martin County prohibits keeping chickens and other barnyard animals in most residential zoning districts. Under Land Development Regulations Section 3.206, household pets exclude pigs, goats, sheep, horses, cows, and poultry. In June 2022, county commissioners declined to amend the ordinance to permit backyard chickens in residential zones.
View full Indiantown rules →Stuart, FL
Martin County
Stuart, FL currently prohibits backyard chickens citywide under Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 (Animals). On May 7, 2026, the Community Redevelopment Board voted 5-2 to recommend allowing up to 4 hens (no roosters) on R1A, R1, R2, urban-neighborhood and single-family-detached lots — pending Stuart City Commission approval.
View full Stuart rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Indiantown | Stuart |
|---|---|---|
| Code Reference | LDR Sec. 3.206 | - |
| Residential Districts | Chickens prohibited | - |
| Permitted Zone | RE-2A only (non-commercial) | - |
| Latest Vote | June 2022 — kept ban | - |
| Current Status | - | Backyard chickens prohibited (May 2026) |
| Code Section | - | Stuart Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 (Animals) |
| Pending Change | - | 4-hen limit, no roosters (CRB 5-2 vote May 7, 2026) |
| Proposed Coop Height | - | Up to 7 feet |
| Proposed Fee | - | $65 annual inspection fee |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Indiantown FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in Martin County, FL?
Not in most residential zones. Martin County Land Development Regulations Section 3.206 excludes poultry from the household-pet definition, and chickens are permitted only in the RE-2A rural estate district.
Did Martin County change the chicken ordinance?
No. In June 2022, the Martin County Board of Commissioners declined to amend the regulations to permit residential backyard chickens.
Stuart FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in Stuart, FL right now?
No. Stuart Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 currently prohibits keeping chickens in residential zones. A May 7, 2026 Community Redevelopment Board recommendation to allow 4 hens still requires Stuart City Commission approval before it takes effect.
Will Stuart allow roosters under the new ordinance?
No. The May 2026 proposal is explicitly limited to hens — up to 4 per property. Roosters are not included in the recommendation, which is consistent with most Florida cities that ban roosters in residential zones due to noise.
Which Stuart zoning districts would be eligible for backyard hens?
Per the May 7, 2026 board recommendation: R1A, R1, R2, urban neighborhood, and single-family detached zones, on occupied single-family or duplex properties.
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