Bryan County delays R‑15 ordinance on small farm animals; commissioners send draft back to staff and Planning & Zoning

The Bryan County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing Feb. 10 on a proposed amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to allow small farm animals (chickens) as an accessory use in R‑15 residential zoning with limits and supplemental use conditions.

Staff summarized the draft amendment: it would allow up to four chickens per property in the R‑15 district, prohibit roosters, require secure enclosures meeting setback requirements, and limit keeping to personal use (no commercial activity). Staff recommended deferring to allow revisions that might scale allowable birds by lot size and to return the proposal to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review.

Public commenters urged flexibility: resident Corey Foreman said four chickens is ‘‘too small’’ for many households and suggested an acreage-based approach or square-footage limits similar to Savannah’s rules; Amy Mitchell recommended using the term “hens” if the intent is to exclude roosters.

Commissioners moved to continue the item and directed staff to draft revisions and take the measure to the Planning & Zoning Commission (PNC) for a formal recommendation. The motion to continue and return the item to staff/PNC passed by voice vote.

Staff said rural residential districts already include allowances for small farm animals and that the proposed change applies only to the R‑15 district (lots roughly 15,000 square feet). The board set no final numeric limit beyond the staff recommendation and will consider any revisions after the PNC process.