The Proposed Chicken/Bee Ordinance

30-5-2.63 Poultry and Bees (as accessory to single-family detached dwellings) (Subject to Chapter 5 of this Code)

(A) Where Required: RS-40, RS-30, RS-20, RS-15, RS-12, RS-9, RS-7, RM-5, RM-8, RM-12, and RM-18 Districts.

(B) General:

(1) No poultry shall be permitted to roam loose on or from a residential property addressed in this section. Some type of fenced area is required for all such animals.

(2) No male chickens over six months of age or other poultry animals that make sounds clearly audible off-site are permitted.

(3) Lots less than 7,000 square feet shall not be permitted to have poultry or bees.

(C) Location Behind Principal Building: Coops, shelters and colonies for such animals shall be located behind the rear wall of the principal building.

(D) Setback and Density: The location and number of animals/colonies located on the same lot as a single-family detached dwelling is dependent upon the size of the lot and is as follows:

(1) Lots which are greater than 12,000 square feet:

(a) Setback: Coops, shelters and colonies for such animals shall be not less than 50 feet from any property line.

(b) Maximum Density: No more than one animal over six months of age shall be permitted for every 2,000 square feet of lot area. In no case shall the total number exceed 20 animals.

(c) Maximum Density for Bees: No more than one colony shall be permitted for every 1,500 square feet of lot area. In no case shall the total number of colonies exceed 20.

(d) Alternate Standard: In cases where, due to lot configuration, the width of the area remaining after compliance with the setback requirement listed in (a) above is less than 10 feet, the setback from each lot line may be reduced by the same amount to achieve a 10-foot area but in no case shall the setback be reduced below 25 feet from any property line and 50 feet from any dwelling unit located on an abutting lot. The densities under this alternate standard shall be as follows:

(i) Maximum Density for Poultry: No more than one animal over six months of age shall be permitted for every 3,000 square feet of lot area. In no case shall the total number exceed 10 animals.

(ii) Maximum Density for Bees: No more than one colony shall be permitted for every 2,000 square feet of lot area. In no case shall the total number of colonies exceed 10.

(2) Lots between 7,000 square feet and 12,000 square feet:

(a) Setback: Coops, shelters and colonies for such animals shall be not less than 25 feet from any property line and not less than 50 feet from any principal building located on an abutting lot.

(b) Maximum Density for Poultry: No more than one animal over six months of age shall be permitted for every 3,000 square feet of lot area. In no case shall the total number exceed four animals.

(c) Maximum Density for Bees: No more than one colony shall be permitted for every 2,000 square feet of lot area. In no case shall the total number of colonies exceed six.

We're Back! An Update...

Hey, everybody! Brian and I (mostly Brian) have been working hard these past few months. Brian unsuccessfully applied for a variance, then met with the City Planning Dept to work on drafting a new chicken/bee ordinance (which I will post shortly).

The ordinance is scheduled to be reviewed by City Council at their monthly meeting on August 19th. PLEASE attend this meeting! We need all the support we can get here. And, if you're interested, we'd be eternally grateful to anyone who would like to speak for 2-3 mins on why the ordinance should be passed. I'll be talking all about the ordinance that was successfully amended in Raleigh, and what results.

Come on, Greensboro! Raleigh is beating us to the punch. We've made big strides towards becoming a forward-thinking, revolutionary city... Let's do even more! Make downtown Greensboro even more livable than it is now!