St. Lucie's Chicken Conundrum: Why The Restriction?

St. Lucie County, Florida, has approved the Backyard Chicken program, allowing residents to raise chickens in their backyards in certain neighbourhoods. However, the River Park district and Port St. Lucie are notable exclusions from this rule, sparking controversy among residents, especially those who moved from states where chicken ownership was permitted. While some residents are pushing for a change, citing the inconsistency in allowing certain animals but not chickens, the City Council maintains its stance on several grounds, including cleanliness and potential disturbances.

Residents of Indian River Estates, White City, and Lakewood Park can keep chickens

In St. Lucie County, Florida, residents of Indian River Estates, White City, and Lakewood Park are allowed to keep chickens in their backyards. This decision was made by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, who approved the Backyard Chicken program for all occupied single-family residential properties in the Unincorporated St. Lucie County, excluding the River Park Subdivision. This program allows residents to raise up to five chickens (but not roosters) in their backyards, with certain restrictions in place.

The Backyard Chicken program was implemented after St. Lucie County won a code-enforcement case against residents Eric and Elizabeth Martin, who were raising 40 chickens in a backyard coop. The Martins used some chickens and their eggs for food, and also showed some chickens at the county fair. As a result of the case, they were forced to find a new home for their chickens.

The decision to allow backyard chickens in St. Lucie County is in contrast to the neighbouring Port St. Lucie, which bans backyard chickens. This ban has been a source of contention for some residents, who have pleaded with the City Council to reconsider its opposition to legalizing backyard chickens. Sisters Eloise and Elsie Craven, who recently moved to Port St. Lucie from Kansas, where they had previously raised chickens, were among those who spoke to the Council in favour of legalizing backyard chickens. They argued that chickens are easy to care for and can provide breakfast. Their mother, Jill Craven, also advocated for the change, pointing out the inconsistency in allowing residents to keep pot-bellied pigs as pets but not chickens.

While the City Council in Port St. Lucie has defended its stance on backyard chickens, citing concerns about cleanliness, some council members have expressed a willingness to reconsider the issue and engage in further discussion. Vice-Mayor Jolien Caraballo, in particular, commended the Craven sisters for their courage in speaking up for what they believe in and expressed a desire to meet with them to understand their perspective better.

Port St. Lucie bans backyard chickens

While the City Council has defended its stance on backyard chickens, citing concerns about noise, odour, and the potential for free-roaming chickens, Vice-Mayor Jolien Caraballo has expressed a willingness to engage in further discussion and collaboration with residents on the topic. The council has also acknowledged the courage of the Craven sisters in speaking up for what they believe in.

The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners has approved the Backyard Chicken program for occupied single-family residential properties in unincorporated areas of the county, excluding the River Park Subdivision due to its proximity to Port St. Lucie. Residents of Indian River Estates, White City, and Lakewood Park can participate in the program, keeping up to five chickens with certain restrictions, such as coop size, chicken feed storage, and disposal of manure and deceased chickens.

Port St. Lucie residents in favour of lifting the ban argue that chickens are easy to care for and can provide better food security for families. However, some residents have expressed concerns about illegal chicken ownership and the potential for backlash if they voice their support for lifting the ban. The issue remains a topic of debate in the community, with some calling for hens to be allowed while excluding roosters.

St. Lucie County allows chickens, but with restrictions

St. Lucie County, Florida, allows its residents to keep chickens in their backyards, but with certain restrictions in place. The Backyard Chicken program permits residents of Indian River Estates, White City, and Lakewood Park to keep up to five chickens, excluding roosters. This program was introduced after the county won a code-enforcement case against residents who were raising an excessive number of chickens in their backyard.

The River Park district is notably excluded from the program due to its proximity to Port St. Lucie, which does not allow backyard chickens. The County Commissioners have approved the program for all occupied single-family residential properties in unincorporated areas of the county.

There are several restrictions that apply to raising backyard chickens in St. Lucie County. Chicken coops and enclosures must adhere to specific guidelines, including screening, size limitations, and setback requirements. Chicken feed must be stored securely in metal containers to prevent attracting rodents and pests. Residents are also prohibited from selling their chickens, eggs, or manure, although they can use the manure as fertilizer. Additionally, chickens may not be bred, slaughtered, or allowed to roam freely within the county.

The decision to allow chickens in St. Lucie County, with restrictions, is part of a trend to incorporate fresher products into diets. By enabling residents to raise chickens for egg production, the county is supporting a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for its community. However, some residents in Port St. Lucie, like the Craven family, are still pushing for the legalization of backyard chickens in their city, citing the inconsistency in allowing captive wildlife while considering chickens as farm animals.

The Craven sisters are campaigning to legalise chickens in Port St. Lucie

The Craven sisters, Eloise and Elsie, are campaigning to legalise chickens in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where they live with their family. The sisters recently moved to the city from Kansas, where they had previously raised chickens. Upon arriving in Port St. Lucie, they learned that the city does not allow residents to keep chickens as pets.

The Craven sisters are not alone in their desire to change the current prohibition on backyard chickens in Port St. Lucie. Their mother, Jill Craven, shares their sentiment and has voiced her support for legalising chickens in the city. She highlights the discrepancy in the city's policies, allowing residents to keep pot-bellied pigs as pets while prohibiting chickens.

In August 2020, St. Lucie County drafted an ordinance to allow chickens in backyards in certain neighbourhoods, excluding River Park Subdivision due to its proximity to Port St. Lucie. The ordinance permits residents to keep up to five chickens, excluding roosters, with certain restrictions on coop size, chicken feed storage, manure management, and disposal of deceased chickens. However, Port St. Lucie maintains its ban on backyard chickens, citing reasons such as cleanliness and potential nuisance to neighbouring properties.

The Craven sisters bravely addressed the City Council, sharing their experience and the joy of raising chickens in Kansas. Their passion and courage impressed the council members, including Vice-Mayor Jolien Caraballo, who commended their initiative and expressed a willingness to engage in further discussions. The sisters' advocacy has sparked conversations about the benefits of keeping chickens and the importance of considering residents' input in shaping local policies.

While the campaign to legalise chickens in Port St. Lucie faces opposition, the Craven sisters' efforts have not been in vain. Their voices, along with those of other residents, have prompted council members to consider revisiting the issue and engaging in dialogue with the community. The sisters' campaign highlights the power of civic engagement and the potential for positive change when individuals take initiative and actively participate in shaping the policies that affect their community.

St. Lucie County's Backyard Chicken Program has specific requirements for chicken owners

St. Lucie County in Florida has specific requirements for chicken owners under its Backyard Chicken Program. The program was approved by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners for all occupied single-family residential properties in the Unincorporated St. Lucie County, excluding River Park Subdivision. This came after the county won a code-enforcement case against residents who were raising 40 chickens in a backyard coop.

Under the program, residents of Indian River Estates, White City, and Lakewood Park can keep up to five chickens, but not roosters. Chicken coops and enclosures must be completely screened from adjacent roadways and neighbouring parcels by a six-foot-tall opaque fence, wall, or vegetated barrier. The coop and enclosure must be located behind the home and be at least ten feet from the rear and side lot lines and at least twenty feet from any side streets and neighbouring properties. Chicken feed must be stored in metal or other rodent and predator-proof containers, and owners are not allowed to sell their chickens or their eggs. Chicken manure must be disposed of appropriately, and owners are recommended to use a manure box inside the coops to prevent accumulation on the floor or ground. Owners are also not allowed to breed or slaughter chickens on their premises.

The Backyard Chicken Program in St. Lucie County excludes the River Park district due to its proximity to Port St. Lucie, which bans backyard chickens. While some residents in Port St. Lucie are pushing for a change in the law to allow backyard chickens, the City Council has defended its stance, citing reasons such as cleanliness and potential hassle for those who already keep chickens illegally.

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