The City of Bonita Springs Backyard Hen Program began in 2015 as a pilot program to test the need and
viability for allowing a limited number of permit holders, capped twenty-five (25) households, the ability
keep up to four (4) hens on property, subject to corresponding permitting approval and regulatory
standards. Roughly a year thereafter, the City Council at the time chose to fully adopt and codify the
program, electing to the leave the twenty-five (25) household limit in place.
On May 3, 2023, City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance to remove the limit of households
allowed to have backyard hens. Staff has revised and updated the current regulation(s) to remove the
twenty-five (25) household permit holder limit and updated code language for clarity and consistency.
The amendments are scheduled for the May 18th Local Planning Agency meeting and June 7th City
Council meeting for second reading.