I gotta leave this thread but first some respectful advice, EMAIL a county code enforcement officer to confirm your logic. It's in your best interest to not be caught off guard and then you can feel confident. It's really that easy.
Yeah seriously. There is a big difference when talking about the way you wish things were and the way they actually ARE. The county cares, I promise you (job.)
The state of Virginia. I don't buy the references on here where the county doesn't care. I was in a car wreck in that state, the car that I was in went off the road and landed on some shrubs that actually saved our lives... And then we had to pay a fine for "disturbing native shrubs."
Chickens dont know how to only eat pests and avoid native plants. They'll eat native plants and that is a violation, citation with a fine from the County.
:pop This thread for sure doesn't need me. But I hope that when you find out who owns the land, you post it. There is no chance that the land is not owned (city, county, etc.) It'll get pretty interesting when you have a conversation with the owner of the land.