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HomeMy WebLinkAbout063-25 (OrdAmendmentChapter165Zoning(BackyardChickens)) ORDINANCE Action: PLANNING COMMISSION April 16, 2025 Recommended Approval BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: May 14, 2025 Adopted TO AMEND CHAPTER 165 ARTICLE I General Provisions; Amendments; and Conditional Use Permits Part 101—General Provisions §165-101.02 Definitions and Word Usage ARTICLE I1 Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific Uses Part 204—Additional Regulations for Specific Uses ARTICLE V Planned Development Districts Part 501 —R4 Residential Planned Community District §165-501.03 Permitted Uses Part 502—R5 Residential Recreational Community District §165-502.04 Permitted Uses WHEREAS,a proposal was presented to amend Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance to add a definition for chicken coops and permit backyard chickens and chicken coops subject to additional regulations in the R4 (Residential Planned Community) and R5 (Residential Recreational Community) Zoning Districts; and WHEREAS,the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment on April 16, 2025, and recommended approval of the ordinance amendment with changes; and WHEREAS, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on this proposed ordinance amendment on May 14, 2025; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Frederick County Board of Supervisors, that in the interest of public health, safety, general welfare, and good zoning practice, the amendment to Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance to add a definition for chicken coops and permit backyard chickens and chicken coops subject to additional regulations in the R4 (Residential Planned Community) and R5 (Residential Recreational Community) Zoning Districts with an implementation date of September 1, 2025 is adopted. Passed this 14a'day of May, 2025 by the following recorded vote: Josh E. Ludwig, Chairman Aye John F. Jewell Aye Heather H. Lockridge Aye Robert W. Wells No Blaine P. Dunn Absent Judith McCann-Slaughter Aye Robert T. Liero Aye A COPY ATTEST Michael L. Bollhoefer Frederick County Ad �inistrator No. 063-25 Chapter 165 -Zoning Ordinance ARTICLE I General Provisions; Amendments; And Conditional Use Permits Part 101 General Provisions §165-101.02. Definitions and Word Usage Chicken Coop A fully enclosed and covered structure, permanent or transportable, that provides a livinz area for chickens with adequate protection from the elements and predators. Chicken coops may include an outdoor running space (pen). ARTICLE II Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific Uses Part 204 Additional Regulations for Specific Uses $165-204.42 Backyard Chickens and Chicken Coops. Backyard chickens and coops located in the R4 (Residential Planned Community) and R5 (Residential Recreational Community)Zonin,-Districts shall meet the followinz requirements: A. Roosters and other species of fowl are prohibited. B. Chickens shall be permitted accessory to sin-le-family detached residences only. A maximum of 6 chickens (hens only) shall be permitted with one single-family detached residence. C. Chicken coops and pens shall meet the setbacks for accessory structures in the RP (Residential Performance)Zonin,-District contained in 065-402.09(M) and shall not be placed in the front setback yard required for the primary use per$165-201.02(E). D. Chickens shall not run at lame in accordance with 08-26(Animals and Fowl Runnin,-at Lame). E. Chicken waste shall be stored in an enclosed container and properly disposed of by compostinz or other means to not create a nuisance. F. Chicken feed shall be stored in an enclosed, vermin proof container. ARTICLE V Planned Development Districts Part 501 R4 Residential Planned Community District §165-501.03 Permitted uses All uses are allowed in the R4 Residential Planned Community District that are allowed in the following zoning districts: RP Residential Performance District B 1 Neighborhood Business District B2 Business General District B3 Industrial Transition District TM Technology-Manufacturing District MI Light Industrial District The followinz uses are allowed in the R4 Residential Planned Community District. A. Backyard chickens and chicken coops. Part 502 R5 Residential Recreational Community District §165-502.04 Permitted uses. The following uses are allowed in the R5 Residential Recreational Community District: A. All uses allowed in the RP Residential Performance District. B. Age-restricted communities. C. All uses allowed in the B-1 Neighborhood Business District except for the following: (1) Car washes. (2)Funeral homes and crematories. D. Indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. E. Preserves and conservation areas. F. Restaurants. G. Hotels and lodges. H. Boat clubs and service areas. L Service stations. J. Private campgrounds. K. Heliports or air strips. L. Recreational vehicle storage. M. General business offices. N. General merchandise store. O. Home furnishing store. P. Public utilities excluding energy-generating facilities. Q. Waste recovery and recycling facility. R. Movie theater. S. Backyard chickens and chicken coops. Q) 4 ' COUNTY of FREDERICK w ® � `Y ® � Department of Planning and Development 540/665-5651 1758 Fax: 540/665-6395 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Supervisors FROM: Kayla Peloquin, AICP, Planner 11 RE: Ordinance Amendment— Backyard Chickens DATE: April 30, 2025 Proposal: Ordinance amendments to allow backyard chickens in residential districts have been considered and denied by the Board of Supervisors in 2018, 2020, and 2022. This ordinance amendment as originally proposed would allow backyard chickens accessory to any single-family detached residence in the RP (Residential Performance), R4 (Residential Planned Community), and R5 (Residential Recreational Community) Zoning Districts. This amendment was initiated at the request of a Board member. Should the County adopt an ordinance on backyard chickens, all properties would still be subject to private covenants and deed restrictions, including HOA regulations, which are not enforced by the County. Staff researched backyard chicken ordinances in other localities in the valley and throughout Virginia. Roughly half of the localities researched required a permit and half did not. Jurisdictions that adopted a chicken ordinance typically experienced high interest initially that decreased over time. Counties that staff contacted have not had significant issues with enforcement of chicken ordinances. Current Standard: Backyard chickens are not permitted in any suburban residential zoning districts. Chickens are permitted in the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District (§165-401.02) under "Agriculture, farming, dairies, animal husbandry, and forestry" and are not subject to additional zoning regulations other than setbacks for accessory structures. Summary& Requested Action: The Board of Supervisors discussed this item on February 26,2025, and sent it to the Development Review and Regulations Committee (DRRC) and authorized subsequent public hearings at the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. The Board suggested adding clarification to the regulation stating chicken waste must be properly disposed of. The DRRC discussed the item on March 27, 2025, and was supportive of the proposed amendment and added clarification to the regulation regarding chicken waste disposal. The DRRC asked staff to consider a delay in enacting the ordinance should the amendment be approved as many HOAs may not address chickens 107 North Kent Street, Suite 202 • Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000 Page 2 of 2 because chickens have always been a County Zoning Violation in the RP, R4, and R5 Zoning Districts. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 16, 2025. Staff confirmed that private covenants, deed restrictions, and HOA regulations would apply but would not be enforced by the County. When asked approximately how many homes are in RP/R4/R5, staff stated that the overwhelming majority of suburban housing developments are in those zoning districts. A public hearing was held, and two residents spoke in favor of the amendment citing environmental and educational benefits of backyard chickens. Mr. Thomas mentioned concerns about the spread of bird flu and without permits required, the County would not know where the chickens are located. Mr. Thomas stated the proposal is not worth the risk and it is not appropriate to have chickens on small lots.Mr.Markert spoke in favor of adding a minimum lot size or another zoning district a community could apply to be in that would allow chickens. Should a chicken ordinance be adopted, Mr. Pearson stated planning staff could notify the known HOAs that the ordinance will take effect in the future and allow them time to adopt regulations prohibiting chickens should they choose to. Mr. Pearson stated that permits were not included with this draft because the additional regulations would apply to all properties. If there were a minimum lot size or a sliding scale based on lot size, then a permit may be more warranted as the resident should speak with a planner to verify their lot size. Furthermore, if a permit were required, the property owner would give permission for the Zoning Inspector to go on the property to verify conditions, which could make enforcement easier from that perspective. Motions to add a minimum lot size of 3 acres and then 3/4 acres failed. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance amendment excluding the RP Zoning District, requiring an administrative permit, and delaying implementation of the ordinance for 6 months. Staff are seeking a decision on the proposed amendment from the Board of Supervisors. Attachments: 1. Draft Ordinance 2. Code Comparison Research 3. 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