DRRC 09-24-20 Meeting Agenda1.Update on Previous Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments
2.Backyard Chickens in RP Zoning District
2.A.Backyard Chickens in RP Zoning District
Discussion of a request from a citizen through their Board of Supervisor representative
to allow backyard chickens and chicken coops in the RP (Residential Performance)
Zoning District.
3.Other
AGENDA
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND REGULATIONS COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
7:00 PM
FIRST-FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
FREDERICK COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
DRRC09-24-20ProposedChangesBackyardChickens.pdf
DRRC09-24-20ZoningOrdinanceAmendmentCoverLetter.pdf
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Development Review and Regulations Committee
Agenda Item Detail
Meeting Date: September 24, 2020
Agenda Section: Backyard Chickens in RP Zoning District
Title: Backyard Chickens in RP Zoning District
Attachments:
DRRC09-24-20ProposedChangesBackyardChickens.pdf
DRRC09-24-20ZoningOrdinanceAmendmentCoverLetter.pdf
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Draft Revised 9/17/2020
ARTICLE II
Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific Uses
Part 204
Additional Regulations for Specific Uses
§165-204.33. Backyard Chickens; Chicken Coops in RP Zoning District
Backyard chickens and chicken coops located in the RP Residential Performance District shall meet
the following requirements:
A. The keeping of chickens (hens) shall be permitted as an accessory to single-family detached
residential uses and shall be permitted for personal use only. The commercial sale of meat or
eggs is prohibited.
B. The minimum lot size required for single-family detached residential lots to allow chickens
shall be 0.26-acres or greater. The total number of chickens allowed shall be determined by lot
acreage corresponding to Frederick County Tax Records:
1) For properties greater than 0.26-acres and less than 0.50-acres in size – a maximum of
up to five (5) chickens shall be permitted;
2) For properties 0.51-acres in size or greater – a maximum of up to ten (10) chickens are
permitted; and
3) Townhomes, duplexes, multifamily buildings, garden apartments, and single-family
detached lots less than 0.26-acres shall be prohibited from keeping backyard chickens
and chicken coops.
C. The keeping of roosters, turkeys, and guinea fowl is prohibited.
D. Chicken coops shall be located to the rear of the residential dwelling and shall meet the
setbacks and building permit requirements for accessory structures in the RP zoning district
contained in §165-402.09(M). Where a residential lot is adjacent to common areas (open
space), stormwater management facilities, drainage easements, or streams, chicken coops shall
be setback at least 15-feet off the edge of the property lines and in no cases shall be located
within the limits of any easement.
E. Chicken coops are prohibited to-be-located in the front yard setback. Chickens and coops shall
not be visible from any public or private road right-of-way.
F. Areas designated for chickens (i.e. coops and pens) shall be completely enclosed to provide
protection from predators. No free-range chickens are allowed.
G. All pens and coops shall be kept clean and sanitary at all times. Pens and coops shall be
cleaned on a regular basis to prevent offensive odor. Chicken waste shall be stored in an
enclosed container and properly disposed of by the owner.
H. Chicken feed shall be stored in an enclosed container in a garage, shed, or residence to
discourage pests and predators.
I. An application, including a sketch of the property and approximate location of the pen or coop,
shall be submitted to and reviewed by the Department of Planning & Development prior to the
keeping of chickens. An application fee of $25 is required for processing.
*Note: Private covenants and/or homeowner associations may further restrict the keeping of backyard chickens/chicken
coops and should be carefully reviewed by the property owner before making an application to the County.
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July 24, 2020
County of Frederick
Department of Planning and Development
107 North Kent Street
Suite 202
Winchester, VA 22601
Dear Mr. Cheran:
It has been several years since my initial request to have the ordinance changed in Frederick County RP to
allow backyard chickens. Since then both Berryville and Boyce have adopted new changes to their
ordinances to allow back yard chickens in residential properties and within city limits.
I would like to formally present to the board of supervisors a request to change the current ordinance to
allow backyard chickens in the Frederick County area that is currently zoned residential.
In the early twentieth century backyard chickens were common across America. They were not just
permitted they were encouraged. By the middle of the twentieth century food production had become
industrialized. At the same time following WWII, the modern American suburb was born and backyard
chickens became less and less.
Today, with growing interest in the local food movement and adopting a simpler more sustainable way of
life, backyard chickens are back in fashion.
The current pandemic situation which has limited access to food and some necessities makes it is even
more evident that having our own food available is critical.
The benefits of having backyard chickens include but are not limited to:
Healthy fresh eggs
Great fertilizer for gardening and new plant growth
Insect control
Educational value
Minimize waste by feeding chickens table scraps, avoiding excess waste in our landfills
Local self-sustainability food system
Revenue to the county
Save Heritage breeds
Cheap and easy to care for
Source of therapy for Autism and elderly with dementia
Feeding the hungry
Some negative thoughts on backyard chickens include:
Purchase of coop can be expensive
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Smell
Noise
Daily maintenance
I would like to purpose that the ordinance be changed to allow backyard chickens in Frederick County
residential areas with the following guidelines:
No Roosters (limits noise issue)
No free-range chickens allowed
Clean well-maintained coop (it takes 6 hens to produce the same amount of waste as one domestic dog)
Coop and run must be kept at least 15 feet from other properties
Fresh water and food available to the chickens always
Initial inspection of coop and living conditions for the chickens (Must provide a fenced in run)
Chicken owners would take a one-hour class on how to properly care for chickens (Virginia Tech
Agriculture program offers classes)
No slaughtering of chickens on property
Application for a permit with an annual fee of $40 (revenue for the county)
If the Board of Supervisors are reluctant to make a final decision regarding this request I would ask for a
consideration to approve a PILOT program. A one-year pilot to see if the change would be a positive
decision. I request to be the recipient of the pilot. It would allow me to keep my chickens and work with
implementing the permit and guidelines outlined in my proposal. I am interested in working with
government officials to assist in any way I can so they are not burdened with more work.
Please let me know what the next step is in addressing this issue and presenting my case to the board.
My contact information: Phone: (540)336-7106 Email: slrr@comcast.net
I truly appreciate your attention regarding this matter.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sherry Riley
Resident of Frederick County, VA
Opequon District
207 Montgomery Circle
Stephens City, VA 22655
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