Question about legally raising chickens.

[kgbradford]

Hello everyone. I live in Greenwich, Ohio, a urban village. Right now, I'm not sue if I am allowed to raise chickens so I was wondering if someone could help me out. I sent my village administration an email but I'm still waiting to hear back. What do make of the following ordinances:

I found the following ordinance which seems to disallow the raising of chickens:

618.15 KEEPING OR HARBORING CERTAIN ANIMALS.

No person shall own, keep, harbor or otherwise have control of any of the following animals at any premises, or on any property, public or private, within the corporate limits of the Village:
(1) Horses, cattle, swine, poultry, sheep and goats;​

However, I also found the following ordinance and was wondering if this applies as an exemption to allow for those who choose to raise chickens for the purpose of self-sustainability:

SECTION 401 AGRICULTURE​

Land in any district may be used for agricultural purposes. Land and buildings used for agriculture purposes are exempt from Zoning Code Regulations pursuant to Ohio R.C. 519.121. “Agriculture” shall include agriculture, farming, dairying, pasturage, apiculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, silviculture and animal and poultry husbandry. Also normal accessory uses, excluding stockyard operations and slaughterhouses.​

Does anybody have idea if this allows me to have Backyard Chickens?

 

[boskelli1571]

Not sure what to make of those ordinances. The 'no chickens' seems very clear, but the second one muddies the water. If you can, speak with the local zoning officer and a couple of the ZB officials and get their interpretation. Good luck with it,

 

[kgbradford]

Thanks so far I have not heard back from the Village Administration. Hope to hear something soon.

 

[boskelli1571]

Thanks so far I have not heard back from the Village Administration. Hope to hear something soon.

You should be able to speak with the zoning officer directly, call him/her on the phone. Another thing you could do is 'straw poll' the neighbors to see if they would object to 'hens only'. Explain to them how/where you would keep them, disposal of waste etc. often neighbors have no objections and will sometimes help get the current zonings changed.