Are Chickens Allowed in Pasco County, Florida?

BySusan Medlin

Short answer: Yes — in some parts of Pasco County you can keep backyard chickens, but it depends a lot on zoning, city vs. county jurisdiction, and whether your lot meets certain conditions. There isn’t a blanket county rule that applies everywhere, so you’ll need to check for your specific location. Here’s a breakdown of what the laws suggest, what restrictions might apply, and what to check before you get chickens.

What the Research Shows

  • Pasco County’s Code of Ordinances addresses animal keeping under different zoning districts. Certain residential and agricultural zones allow small animals, which can include chickens, for personal use.
  • For example, in “Estate-Residential (E-R)” zoning districts, small animals are permitted under specific conditions, though the number of chickens and requirements may be limited.
  • Within Pasco County, some municipalities (such as New Port Richey and Zephyrhills) have passed or considered ordinances specific to chickens. New Port Richey’s proposal included rules for coops, setbacks, no roosters, and waste management.
  • Zephyrhills recently approved rules allowing chickens in residential areas, requiring coops to be in rear yards, providing at least 4 sq ft per chicken, limiting pen size to 50 sq ft, and banning roosters.

Likely Restrictions You May Face

  • Zoning: Your property must fall under a zone that permits poultry, such as Estate-Residential, Agricultural, or Rural. Standard subdivisions may restrict chickens entirely.
  • Number of Chickens: Some city ordinances set a maximum of 4–5 hens per property.
  • No Roosters: Nearly all versions of these rules prohibit roosters because of noise concerns.
  • Coop and Pen Requirements:
    • Coops must be in the rear yard only.
    • Provide minimum square footage per chicken (e.g., 4 sq ft per hen).
    • Chicken pens may be capped in size (e.g., max 50 sq ft).
    • No on-site slaughtering; waste must be properly managed.
  • Setbacks and Enclosures: Chickens must be fully enclosed and fenced. Coops cannot be placed in front yards and may need to meet setback distances from property lines and neighboring homes.
  • City vs. Unincorporated Areas: Rules differ between unincorporated Pasco County and incorporated cities. City ordinances may be stricter or more specific than county code.

What’s Still Unclear

  • County ordinances do not always clearly spell out whether chickens are allowed in every zoning type — much of the allowance is tied to Estate-Residential or agricultural zones.
  • It isn’t always clear whether permits are required in unincorporated areas. Some cities require permits, while the county may not.
  • Limits on coop size, height, or exact setback distances vary between city proposals and county provisions.
  • Some ordinances explicitly ban “free-ranging chickens,” requiring coops or runs at all times.
  • Private HOA covenants or subdivision rules may override county/city law and be stricter, even if chickens are otherwise allowed.

How to Check for Your Property

  • Confirm whether you live in unincorporated Pasco County or inside a city such as New Port Richey, Zephyrhills, or Dade City. City ordinances will apply if you’re inside city limits.
  • Look up your zoning classification using the Pasco County zoning map. Zoning codes such as “E-R” (Estate Residential), “Agricultural,” or “Rural” are the most likely to allow poultry.
  • Contact Pasco County Planning & Zoning or your city’s Code Enforcement office to ask: how many hens are allowed, whether permits are required, and what the coop/setback rules are.
  • If you’re in a city, read the specific municipal code or council-approved chicken ordinance. Some cities in Pasco are actively updating their laws to allow limited backyard hens.
  • Design your coop/run to be rear-yard only, predator-proof, large enough for your hens, and easy to keep clean. Good waste management will help avoid neighbor complaints.

Conclusion

Chickens are allowed in parts of Pasco County, but the exact rules depend on your zoning and whether you’re in unincorporated areas or within city limits. In some cities you may keep a handful of hens with coop restrictions, while in other zones chickens are prohibited without special conditions. Before buying chickens, check your address, zoning, and local ordinances to make sure you’re compliant. If you’d like, I can pull the exact ordinance language for your city or ZIP in Pasco County so you’ll know precisely what applies where you live.