Gwinnett County leaders approve new backyard chicken ordinance

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Backyard chicken enthusiasts won a major victory in Gwinnett County today.

A new law has been passed that lowers the amount of acreage needed for someone to keep chickens in their backyard.

Supporters of the ordinance say it’s about time, while opponents fear their neighborhoods will be overrun with noisy animals.

The new law says anyone with a yard a quarter acre or larger will be able to keep chickens in their backyard.

“I think there are a lot of people who want to understand where the food is coming from and being able to know they are eating pure food,” said Carol Hassell.

Hassell legally keeps four chickens on her rural Suwanee property. She's elated now more Gwinnett County residents will be able to join her backyard hobby.

Up until now you needed at least 2 acres of land to have chickens, but the new law allows 10,000 square-foot lots to have up to three chickens and up to 10 on a 2-acre property.

“The ordinance that is in place of disallowing chickens overall in residential areas is being vastly violated,” said Commissioner John Heard.

Heard says the new rules will allow for better enforcement. No one spoke out against the changes at the county meeting Tuesday, but opponents have said they fear the animals will simply be noisy neighbors and run wild in what are now peaceful suburban neighborhoods.

Despite her background growing up on a chicken farm, Chairwoman Charlotte Nash tried to convince leaders to slow down. She fears easing the restrictions will only help spread disease in birds this fall.

“I believe we are stepping out at the wrong time on this. I believe we should we delay action until we get past the critical point,” Nash said.

The commissioners were divided on this issue. The new law passed on a 3-2 vote.

“I think most people who keep backyard chickens are very protective of their birds. They have no intention of turning them out,” Hassell said.

WSBTV