Fayetteville residents can now have farm animals on their property and sell homemade food products from their homes, following a vote by the Fayetteville City Council on Tuesday night.
Aldermen voted 6-2 to allow an “urban agriculture” amendment to the city’s Unified Development Code. The amendment will allow farm animals such as goats, chickens, ducks and bees on residential properties within the city.
The changed ordinance also allows agriculture sales in residential areas, meaning area residents can sell certain foods, such as milk, cheese, jam, eggs, honey and produce, from their homes. Property owners can sell the food four times a year, for three consecutive days each time.
The amendment comes with several restrictions. Up to four female chickens and ducks are now allowed on any private lot, but lots larger than 5,000 square feet may hold as many as 20 fowl, as long as the chickens and ducks are given coop space, according to the amendment.
Two bee hives are allowed on any single family lot or school property, although larger property may hold as many as four hives. The amendment states Africanized bees are prohibited, and bees that create a public hazard will be removed.
Two goats are allowed on lots larger than 10,000 square feet, although the property’s owner may host three goats if the property is larger than 15,000 square feet, the amendment states. Yards must be kept sanitary, and waste must be disposed of, according to the amendment.
