Permit Portal for Backyard Chicken Pilot Program in Palm Coast Now Live

By-Line: Patrick Appolonia, Communications and Marketing, City of Palm Coast

The City of Palm Coast has launched its new Permit Portal for its Backyard Chicken Pilot Program. The program is designed to allow residents of the city to own up to four (4) chickens, which they may keep on their property within the confines of a chicken coop, provided they abide by the terms and guidelines outlined in the program application.

After failing to reach a consensus in August 2023 for approval of a similar program that residents proposed, Palm Coast City Council recently approved modified terms and reached consensus to launch the new program, which will now allow for a maximum of 50 permits, all of which will be valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance. After the allotted two years, the City Council will review the data and findings of the program, at which time, considerations may be made to disband, expand, or continue the program.

Permits will cost $50, and terms of permit distribution require all applicants of the pilot program to provide site plan examples and abide by specific terms, which include landscape screening, chicken coop size and placement guidelines, and more. Terms also state that those applying to the program must live in a single-family home that is not part of an HOA. Before applying, all applicants are required to complete a Care and Raising Chickens educational course. Resources for this course and complete program guidelines can also be found on the program application.

Residents who are interested in participating can now apply by following these steps:

Visit palmcoast.gov/building
Click on “Homeowner Permitting.”
Scroll down to the drop-down menu and select:
“Chicken Coop – Backyard Chickens – Pilot Program”
Download and complete all permit forms listed there.
Once forms are completed, visit the online permitting portal at:
https://old.palmcoastgov.com/eplanreview
to apply electronically.