If you’re planning to raise backyard chickens in Ohio, it’s essential to check local rules. There’s no single statewide law that lets or forbids chickens—each city, township, or village handles it differently. Some places welcome a few hens with permits; others prohibit them entirely. So before you get chicks, learn your local rules.
State‑Level Guidance
Ohio does not have a statewide limit on backyard hens. That means cities and townships set their own rules about how many birds you can keep, whether roosters are allowed, where your coop can go, and if you need a permit. Courts have confirmed that keeping animals is not a fundamental right, so local governments can regulate it in the interest of public welfare.
Important Trends Across the State
- Most urban or suburban zones ban roosters due to noise concerns.
- The number of hens allowed usually ranges from four to six in cities, sometimes more in larger lots or agricultural zones.
- Permits or licenses are often required and may include fees and inspections.
- Coops must meet setback rules from property lines and neighbor homes.
- Coops and runs must be sanitary, ventilated, predator‑proof, and kept clean.
- Many places prohibit selling eggs or breeding—chickens must be for personal use only.
- Homeowners associations (HOAs) may have their own bans that override local codes.
City Examples Around Ohio
Cleveland
Residential areas allow hens, typically one bird per 800 sq ft of lot space, up to six hens on lots around 4,800 sq ft. Coops must be at least five feet from side yard lines and 18 inches from rear yard lines (or five feet if adjoining another lot line). Roosters are not allowed unless the property is at least one acre and the coop is 100 feet from all property lines. Coops are limited to about 32 sq ft, and outdoor runs must provide at least 10 sq ft per hen. A permit is required.
Cincinnati
Chickens are permitted if you follow strict rules. Properties under 10,000 sq ft may have six hens; between 10,000 and 20,000 sq ft, up to 12 hens; over 20,000 sq ft, up to 24 hens. You may keep one rooster for every 15 hens. Coops must be at least 50 feet from neighboring dwellings and at least 10 feet from property lines. Each chicken needs at least four square feet inside the coop. Permits are required.
Columbus and Suburbs (Franklin County)
Cities like Columbus, Hilliard, Bexley, Worthington allow backyard chickens with permits. They set limits on fowl numbers and require sanitary rules. Other suburbs such as Grandview Heights and Grove City explicitly ban them. Unincorporated townships in Franklin County let residents keep chickens on lots of at least half an acre, but zoning varies.
Cleveland Heights (Cuyahoga County)
A permit is required for up to four hens. Roosters are prohibited. Coops must be in rear yard, at least ten feet from the house or adjacent lot lines. No manure may be stored within 20 feet of neighboring property lines. Chickens must be kept from dusk to dawn in the coop or run. The permit is conditional and may be revoked if a neighbor complaint isn’t resolved.
Lebanon (Warren County)
Lebanon allows six hens per occupied lot, up to 12 hens on lots over an acre. A permit is required. Roosters are banned. Coops and runs must meet setback rules and sanitary standards. Chickens must be enclosed at all times and cared for responsibly.
What About Other Cities?
Many Ohio cities and villages have different rules or no clear rules at all. For example:
- Athens may restrict chickens to properties with large lot sizes and specify large setbacks.
- Bellefontaine requires coops to be at least 200 feet from any lot line.
- Cadiz allows up to 10 hens per acre on lots over half an acre, with front, side, and rear yard setbacks.
- Canton allows six hens with no roosters; coops must be 50 feet from other dwellings and 20 feet from property lines.
- Springfield allows hens on lots less than one acre with setbacks of 30 feet from dwellings, side lines 5 feet, rear lines 10 feet.
- Toledo allows six hens without a permit, if coops are placed at least 25 feet from any door or window of an occupied dwelling, side setback 5 feet, rear setback 18 inches, outside the front yard.
- Youngstown allows hens in enclosures only, but specific numbers and setbacks are unclear.
Rural and Township Areas
In unincorporated township areas, county governments typically delegate zoning and agricultural rules to townships. Many small towns or rural parts of Ohio either allow chickens freely—or with minimal rules—especially if property is measured in acres. But some towns like Batavia require at least one acre and setbacks of 100 feet from dwellings. In others, such as parts of Holmes or Wayne County, regulations may be minimal or non‑existent.
Checklist Before Getting Chickens in Ohio
- Check whether you live within city, village, or township limits.
- Look up your specific municipal or township zoning code.
- Find out if a permit or license is needed and the cost.
- Check how many hens you’re allowed and whether roosters are prohibited.
- Confirm coop and run setback requirements from property lines and other dwellings.
- Plan coop size to match required square footage per bird.
- Ensure coops are clean, ventilated, predator‑proof, and sanitary.
- Store feed securely to avoid pests; manage manure properly.
- Ask if selling eggs or breeding is allowed (often restricted).
- If you’re in an HOA, review bylaws too—they may override other permissions.
Why These Rules Exist
Rules about chickens help protect public health, prevent nuisance, and support humane animal care. Coops with poor conditions can attract rodents, create odor, or disturb neighbors. Roosters make noise. Setbacks keep flocks away from shared spaces. Permits and inspections help ensure safety. And though Ohio doesn’t limit backyard hens statewide, local governments do in the interest of community welfare.
Conclusion
Raising hens in Ohio is possible and rewarding—but how easy or difficult depends entirely on where you live. Cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland Heights, and Lebanon have clear rules. Other areas may require contacting officials or even advocating for changes. Before you get chicks, check your local zoning office or planning department. Build your coop thoughtfully, maintain a clean environment, respect neighbors, and enjoy your flock the legal way.
Best of luck with your backyard chickens in Ohio!