Backyard Chickens are now approved - WITH RESTRICTIONS on number (6), property size, set backs from property lines, screening, size of coops, and yearly inspections. NOTE ... if you are in an HOA they are prohibited.
Notwithstanding other provisions in the City Code, chickens and/or ducks may be kept within
the City in any residential district subject to the following rules and conditions.
(B) Restrictions
(1) Chickens and ducks are only permitted on residential lots that exceed 21,780 square
feet (0.5 acres).
(a) Each household in the City may keep up to a total of six (6) chickens or ducks
or a combination thereof, on a residential lot at any one time.
(b) Only ducks and female chickens, aka hens, may be kept in the City. Males, aka
roosters, are not allowed at any time.
(c) A “cockerel” (young male domestic chicken, typically under one year old) is
permitted for the purpose of 4H and FFA county/state fair shows and meat
production, until the Cockerel’s reaches 17 weeks old. The purpose of this
provision is to prevent crowing resulting in neighbor disturbance.
(2) No chickens or ducks may be slaughtered on any residential property in the City.
(3) Chicken and duck feed must be kept in a rodent- and predator-proof container.
Property must be kept free and clear of feed, so as not to attract rodents.
(4) For purposes of this section, chickens and ducks must be kept, raised, or used in any
manner related to personal or household use, such as for personal consumption,
education, or to maintain such animals as pets. Chickens and ducks may not be kept,
raised or used for commercial purposes, including but not limited to the sale of
chickens/ducks or eggs or to convey the same for profit.
(C) Habitat
(1) Chickens and ducks may only be maintained outdoors in a predator-proof house, coop,
or other structure that is thoroughly ventilated, of sufficient size to permit free
movement of the fowl, designed to be easily accessed, cleaned, and maintained by the
owner, and be at least two square feet in size for each chicken and/or duck with up to
a maximum size of 50 sq. ft of indoor space and 60 square feet of containment
area.
(2) All such structures are herein defined as “habitat” or “habitat structure” and shall be
considered accessory structures as defined elsewhere in this Code. A permit for this
and all other accessory structures shall be required as set for in Section 1137.08(g).
(3) In addition to the other conditions and restrictions applicable to accessory structures,
any structure housing chickens and/or ducks must not be visible from the street or any
public place and must be screened from abutting properties by either a privacy fence,
wall, or opaque landscaping as permitted in the City to provide reasonable and
appropriate cover to reduce, lessen, or obscure the visual impact of the structure.
(4) Any habitat structure must be located a minimum of 15 20 feet from any property line
and must be located at least 75 100 feet from a dwelling on another parcel.
(5) Chickens and/or ducks shall be enclosed within the habitat structure at night from
sunset to sunrise. If chickens and/or ducks are allowed by the owner to be outside of
the structure from sunrise to sunset, the chickens and/or ducks must be contained
within an area that is fenced or surrounded by other barriers (“containment area”) so
as to prevent access to the chickens and/or ducks by dogs or other predators, and to
prevent chickens and/or ducks from travelling outside of the containment area.
(6) All areas in and around the habitat structure must be maintained in a clean, safe,
sanitary and orderly manner for the health and welfare of the chickens and ducks as
well as all other animals and persons. No part of the structure or surrounding area shall
constitute a nuisance. In addition to the provisions and remedies set forth in the
Property Maintenance Code, no person shall allow the chickens/ducks or the habitat to
be a nuisance, including but not limited to allowing noxious odors or any noise of a
loud or persistent and habitual nature.
(D) Permits
(1) No person shall keep a chicken and/or duck without a permit issued by the City. The
Chief Building and Zoning Official has the authority to consider all such permit
applications as well as revocations of any such permit. Applications for a permit shall
be made in writing and submitted to the Chief Building and Zoning Official for
approval.
(2) Any person submitting an application for a permit under this section shall consent to
an inspection by the City of the property where the chickens and/or ducks will be kept.
(3) If the City becomes aware of a possible violation on the property subject to a permit
under this section, the Chief Building and Zoning Official shall be permitted to inspect
the property at any reasonable time after written notice to the occupants of the subject
property is given, to determine whether or not a violation exists. If the Chief Building
and Zoning Official determines that a violation of the City Ordinances exists, the
property owner shall be notified to bring the property into compliance within a
reasonable amount of time as determined by the Chief Building and Zoning Official. If
the property is not brought into compliance within the time allotted, the permit shall be
automatically revoked.
(E) Fee. A fee of $100 25.00 shall be due with the application and shall be effective for one (1)
year. Renewal of said permit is required each year with a fee of $25.00.
May 18, 2026 City Council - Grove City, OH CITY COUNCIL IS NOW IN SESSION. IF YOU'D PLEASE STAND FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. CLERK, PL...
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