After a Majority of Speakers Favor a Rooster Enabling Zoning Text Amendment Supervisors Table Proposal for Additional Work

(Updated correction. Lewis Moten contacted us to say the characterization of his support for the Rooster enabling rezoning proposal, as is in the caption for his photo, was not accurate. Here is his summary of his stance: “While I acknowledged that the county was moving toward a reasonable approach, my comments explicitly raised concerns about the lack of a clear, measurable standard for ‘soundproofing.’ I did not speak in favor of the amendment ‘as is’.” Apologies for our misunderstanding of his remarks.)

The seventh and final Public Hearing of the Warren  County Board of Supervisors meeting of Tuesday evening, January 20th, produced a loud “crowing” from both supporters and opponents of a Zoning Text Amendment that would allow for one rooster to be permitted on Residential-One (R-1) zoned lots one acre or greater in size where female hens are allowed for residents to produce their own eggs. In addition to being cost-effective food for the family, pro text amendment speaker Sarah Kerns told the board that sometimes a portion of that food is presented to county Food Relief programs for the needy.

The board listens and ponders a direction forward on a Zoning Text Amendment allowing single roosters to join hens on R-1 properties over an acre in size, county-wide. In the wake of public feedback, it appears the board and planning staff may revisit the amendment proposal, allowing a March vote on an adjusted proposal. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Of 13 total speakers, 10 supported the proposed zoning text amendment, with 3 opposing its passage. The opposition stance was due to noise concerns of adjoining 1-acre lots proximity. But two of those three opposing speakers said they would be OK with a rewritten proposal increasing the minimum lot size. One of those opposing speakers, Kathleen Mancini, said she could live with a 2 or 3 acre lot size requirement.

In supporting the text amendment as is, pro-amendment speakers, some speaking from personal experience with the raising of hens and roosters, questioned if the noise problem would be more worrisome than neighbors having a pet dog. One speaker noted that if roosters were to crow in the night, it could likely be in warning that a fox was approaching the hen house.

Lewis Moten opens the public hearing on the Zoning Text Amendment to permit roosters on lots of an acre or larger. Moten was not one of the 9-4 public hearing majority speaking in favor of the amendment ‘as is’.

Another pro-amendment speaker, Magen Cody, if we heard correctly, cited a petition circulated that included 378 signatures in support of the zoning text amendment as is. She said she was fairly certain that all the signatures were from Warren County residents.

After telling the board she was speaking on behalf of roosters, Text Amendment supporter Ann Walker pointed to a potential positive impact on youth. “It could be a hands-on experience for kids,” she said, wondering whether such an experience might lead to a more agricultural work direction for some children as they got older.

Another pro-Rooster speaker, Amber Martin, noted that surrounding Counties Page, Shenandoah, and Frederick, as well as the Town of Front Royal in Warren County, already had enabling legislation allowing roosters under prescribed conditions. She noted that over a five-year period of allowing roosters, Front Royal had received only eight complaints.

Martin asked the board if they wanted to maintain the county’s rural community perception. She worried over a potential statewide impact of denial that would alter tourism perception of this community in a less tourism-friendly direction. That direction she cited would be perceived as more of a Northern Virginia, urban bedroom community of the D.C. area.

Opponents cited the County Planning Commission recommendation of denial of the text amendment by a 4-0 vote, with one abstention.

County Planner Kelly Wahl and Zoning Administrator Chase Lenz presented the staff overview of, not only the Zoning Text Amendment on roosters, but a number of other agenda items up for public hearing. Below, County Attorney Jason Ham, right, and County Administrator Bradley Gotshall, were available for background info on agenda matters. Ham was particularly quizzed on legal aspects of the path forward on revisting a vote on the Zoning Text Amendment allowing roosters to join chickens on residential properties over an acre in size.

However, in the wake of the public hearing feedback after some discussion, including on legal guidelines moving forward with County Attorney Jason Ham, on a motion by Tony Carter, seconded by Hugh Henry, the board unanimously agreed to table the matter to the second meeting of March. It was noted that would give the board time to work with staff and the Planning Commission to develop a compromise text amendment that will address noise and other concerns expressed during the public hearing.

For additional detail see the linked County video. Reference points for above story in that video include starting points for:

Staff Summary, 1:23:15;

Public Hearing, 1:25:55;

Board Discussion, 1:50:24;

Board Vote, 2:33:24 to 2:34:00

Other business at the January 20th meeting will be presented in a coming related story.

Click here to watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of January 20, 2026.