Stuart Gathers Resident Input on Proposed Backyard Hen Ordinance
The city of Stuart is gathering resident feedback via a survey on a proposed ordinance that could allow households to keep up to four backyard hens. The proposal includes requirements for permits, inspections, coop screening, and setbacks, while prohibiting roosters,…
West Palm Beach Fort Pierce, FL, September 29, 2026 —
The City of Stuart is actively seeking input from its residents regarding a potential new ordinance that would permit households to keep backyard hens. Currently, the city is distributing a survey to gauge public opinion on the proposal, which, if enacted, could allow for up to four hens per property.
The proposed ordinance outlines specific conditions for backyard hen ownership. Key requirements include obtaining permits, undergoing inspections, ensuring coop screening, and adhering to designated setback distances. These measures are intended to address potential concerns related to noise, sanitation, and animal welfare.
In addition to the requirements, the proposal includes strict prohibitions designed to manage the scope of the ordinance. Roosters would not be permitted, effectively preventing crowing noise that can be disruptive. Furthermore, the ordinance would prohibit the breeding of hens and any form of slaughtering on residential properties. These restrictions aim to limit the ordinance’s impact primarily to egg production for personal household use.
Details regarding the timeline for the survey’s completion and the subsequent steps in the ordinance approval process have not been fully detailed in the initial proposal summary. The city’s decision on whether to move forward with the ordinance will likely depend on the feedback received from the community survey.
Story summarized from the original created by Justin Breckenridge on www.wqcs.org, see more information here.
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