The Linn County Board of Supervisors today approved an amendment to the Unified Development Code. The significant change in the amendment involves small animal allowances in rural residential zoning districts. The change takes effect on April 14 after publication.
Small Animals
The recently approved amendment formally allows for the keeping of chickens and other small animals on lots in residential zoning districts in unincorporated Linn County. Roosters are prohibited, and there is a limit on the number of small animals per acre, as shown in the table below. Show animals and juvenile animals less than eight months of age are exempt from these limits.
| Size and Type of Animals | RR1/RR2/RR3 District | VR, VM, USR, USR-MF District |
|---|
| Large animals: horses, cattle, llamas, elk, deer, and other similar animals | One (1) per acre | One per acre only on lots of three acres or larger |
| Intermediate animals: sheep, swine, goats, geese, turkeys, pea fowl, and other similar animals | Three (3) per acre | Three per acre only on lots three acres or larger and excluding swine |
| Small animals: domestic fowl, rabbits, chinchillas, and other similar size animals | Twelve (12) per acre. For parcels less than one (1) acre in size, no more than twelve total | Twelve (12) per acre. For parcels less than one (1) acre in size, no more than twelve total |
VR - Village Residential, VM - Village Mixed, USR - Urban Service Residential, USR-MF - Urban Service Residential - Multi-Family
Prior to the approval of this ordinance, small animals were not permitted in any quantity on lots in residential zoning districts in unincorporated Linn County.
View a full list and more information regarding the Linn County Code of Ordinances at https://library.municode.com/ia/linn_county/codes/code_of_ordinances.