Stuart City Commission to again discuss backyard chicken ordinance

Stuart city commissioners are considering an ordinance that would allow some residents to keep backyard hens in an effort, supporters say, to promote self-sufficiency and provide families with a local food source.The proposal is being discussed during a city commission meeting Monday night after commissioners approved the ordinance on first reading by a 3-1 vote several weeks ago.If approved, the ordinance would allow single-family and duplex homes in certain residential neighborhoods to keep up to four hens as an accessory use.The proposal also includes several requirements recommended by the Community Redevelopment Board. Among them are standards for fencing, landscaping and a chicken coop that could be up to seven feet tall.Supporters of the ordinance say raising hens would give residents access to fresh eggs while helping families better understand where their food comes from.“So, there’s the obvious benefits where you’re getting food from your backyard. You know how it’s grown. You, you know all the things that you’re feeding it,” Martin County resident Amber D’Angelo said.Others say they are open to the idea as long as the city strictly enforces the rules outlined in the ordinance, particularly restrictions on roosters.“The roosters are the noisemakers and the mean ones; they’re very mean. And you don’t want them around,” Stuart resident Rick Ponte said.City Commissioner Eula Clarke said commissioners must carefully consider all aspects of the proposal before moving forward.“It’s a no-brainer that we have to look at these things and make sure we are careful,” Clarke said.Some commissioners have also raised concerns about potential impacts on water quality and whether backyard chickens could contribute to an increase in rodents.The issue has surfaced before in Stuart. A similar ordinance was approved in 2017 but was reversed two weeks later after a commissioner changed their vote.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

STUART, Fla. —

The proposal is being discussed during a city commission meeting Monday night after commissioners approved the ordinance on first reading by a 3-1 vote several weeks ago.

If approved, the ordinance would allow single-family and duplex homes in certain residential neighborhoods to keep up to four hens as an accessory use.

The proposal also includes several requirements recommended by the Community Redevelopment Board. Among them are standards for fencing, landscaping and a chicken coop that could be up to seven feet tall.

Supporters of the ordinance say raising hens would give residents access to fresh eggs while helping families better understand where their food comes from.

“So, there’s the obvious benefits where you’re getting food from your backyard. You know how it’s grown. You, you know all the things that you’re feeding it,” Martin County resident Amber D’Angelo said.

Others say they are open to the idea as long as the city strictly enforces the rules outlined in the ordinance, particularly restrictions on roosters.

“The roosters are the noisemakers and the mean ones; they’re very mean. And you don’t want them around,” Stuart resident Rick Ponte said.

City Commissioner Eula Clarke said commissioners must carefully consider all aspects of the proposal before moving forward.

“It’s a no-brainer that we have to look at these things and make sure we are careful,” Clarke said.

Some commissioners have also raised concerns about potential impacts on water quality and whether backyard chickens could contribute to an increase in rodents.

The issue has surfaced before in Stuart. A similar ordinance was approved in 2017 but was reversed two weeks later after a commissioner changed their vote.

Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25

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