Chickens for Fairfax County, Virginia

Petition to Allow Residential Hen-Keeping in Fairfax County

We, the undersigned residents of Fairfax County, call upon the members of the Fairfax County, Virginia Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to amend the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance to provide for the responsible keeping of chickens by residents within the county on residential lots smaller than two acres.

Problem: The Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance restricts residents who live on lots smaller than two acres from keeping chickens unless they complete 33-page application, pay up to a $910 fee, and gain approval following a public hearing. This represents a prohibitive burden as most Fairfax residents have far less land, yet many would like the benefits of keeping a few hens.

Proposal:
 Female chickens (hens) only, no roosters.
 Number of hens scaled to lot size with 1/8th acre minimum.
 Hens will be kept in a humane and sanitary fashion that does not present a nuisance to neighbors or affect the visual character of the neighborhood.

Many municipalities across the country, including in Virginia, are allowing their residents to keep a limited number of hens.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO CHANGE THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW RESIDENTIAL HEN-KEEPING IN FAIRFAX COUNTY!