There has been a growing trend and interest over the last years in urban gardening. Backyard vegetable gardens are popping up everywhere and people have also started raising their own chickens and turkeys.
The movement is driven by greater environmental awareness as well as a desire to know and control more what is in the food we eat. By growing (and raising) the food by yourself you regain some of the control of what you eat (watch the movie Food Inc etc.)
This greater desire often runs into local zoning issues. Lets face it, most of us now live in urban areas and lot sizes are getting smaller and smaller. While a vegetable patch in your backyard usually is fine, anything alive in your backyard that is not a cat or dog will quickly get you into trouble.
So, what are the requirements to keep chickens in some urban areas of Northern Virginia? Below are some general guidelines - however these do change from time to change so please confirm information with your local government. Also, your property association may have restrictions.
Fairfax County:
Chicken over 2 months old are classified as Domestic Fowl and are only allowed on lots of 2 acres or more. Chicken Houses cannot be closer than 100 feet from the property line.
Falls Church City:
Must be 40 feet from a residence and requires written permission from the city.
Fairfax City:
Chickens are allowed on properties zoned R1 and R2. No closer than 100 feet from a property line.
Your neighbors may wonder what the nosie in your backyard is - but if you share your bounty you may make a city farmer out of them too!
Sources and more information:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051301069.html
http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/chickenlaws.html
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