Manatee Planning Commission to vote on amending code to allow chickens

The Manatee County Planning Commission will vote today on whether to modify a land-development code amendment that will remove “chickens/poultry” from the definition of farm animals.

The move would be the first step toward allowing chickens in residential areas in Manatee County.

Under the county’s current land development code, it’s illegal to keep chickens in residential areas.

The Holmes Beach City Commission recently approved residential chickens in certain circumstances, while the cities of Sarasota and Palmetto both allow it, also under certain circumstances.

After the Planning Commission issues their recommendation, the item will be brought to the county commission for a vote May 2.

A follow-up vote on an ordinance to allow chickens would follow in late May or early June.

See a in-depth story on chickens here.