Agriculture Residential
A. Applicability.
The practice of maintaining, raising, and/or breeding bee colonies, and the keeping and raising of chickens as residential agriculture uses, as permitted in Article 6, Use Matrix, of this Ordinance, shall comply with B and C of this Section.
B. Chickens.
(1) Lot Area. Minimum lot area of one half (1/2) acre up to 4.9 acres.
(2) Setbacks.
a. All enclosures, runs, and coops shall be located a minimum of 10 ft. from any property line and a minimum of 30 ft. from any dwelling on a separate parcel.
(3) General Standards.
a. A maximum of six (6) hens per acre is permitted.
b. The keeping of chickens shall comply with all relevant state and federal laws.
c. The keeping of roosters shall be prohibited in residential districts.
d. Chickens shall be kept only for non-commercial domestic purposes. The selling of eggs and the harvesting of chickens for commercial purposes is prohibited.
e. All feed for the keeping of chickens shall be kept in an indoor, secure container to prevent the attraction of rodents and other animals.
f. Enclosures, runs, or coops shall be located behind the front building line, as depicted in Article 4, Primary Zoning Districts, Figure 4-3. i. The Administrator may grant an exception to this requirement in cases where due to unusual lot configuration, topography, or proximity of neighbors, another area of the yard is more suitable for such an activity.
g. Chickens shall be kept in a covered enclosure or within a fenced area.
h. All coops shall provide at least 3 sq. ft. of area per chicken, and all runs shall provide at least 10 sq. ft. per chicken.
C. Bees.
(1) Lot Area
a. Two (2) or more bee hives permitted with a minimum one half (1/2) acre (21,780 sq. ft.) of lot area.7
b. A maximum of four (4) hives per acre is permitted on lots one (1) acre to 4.9 acres in size.
(2) Setbacks.
a. Located a minimum of 10 ft. from any property line and at least 30 ft. from any dwelling on a separate parcel.
(3) General Standards.
a. Hives shall be located behind the front building line as depicted in Article 4, Primary Zoning Districts, Figure 4-3, of this Ordinance.
b. A constant supply of fresh water shall be provided on the lot within 50 ft. of all hives.
c. A flyway barrier of at least 6 ft. in height shall shield any part of a property line that is within 25 ft. of a hive. Flyway barriers shall consist of dense vegetation, a wall, or solid fence. Any wall or fence shall comply with Article 8, Community Design Standards, of this Ordinance.
d. Any sale of bees on combs or hives, used beekeeping equipment, or appliances shall have a certificate of health as required by the Code of Virginia § 3.2-4407.
e. A minor sign, in accordance with Article 8, Community Design Standards, shall be provided and located for public warning of the presence of beehives.
f. Beekeepers shall abide by the Beekeeping Best Management Practices provided by Virginia Department of Agriculture and 2VAC5-319-30