Franklin County, OH Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Point cap
- 4 to 24 points by acreage
- Banned birds
- Roosters, geese, peafowl, turkeys
- Setback
- 10 feet from property line
- Permit
- Zoning compliance certificate required
Summary
Backyard chickens, ducks and rabbits are allowed on unincorporated Franklin County residential lots under five acres, capped by a point system that scales from four points on small lots to twenty-four near five acres.
a) Prohibited poultry – No person shall keep any roosters, geese, peafowl, or turkeys on lots smaller than 5 acres. b) Allowed densities ... each one (1) chicken, duck or rabbit shall count as one (1) point. It shall be unlawful to keep more animals than the point system below allows: Smaller than 0.5 acres – 4 points maximum ... 2.5 acres to 5.0 acres – 24 points maximum
Full Breakdown
Section 115.086 sets numeric limits: no roosters, geese, peafowl or turkeys are permitted on lots under 5 acres, and each chicken, duck or rabbit counts as one point toward a per-lot cap, 4 points under half an acre, 8 points up to one acre, 16 points up to 2.5 acres, and 24 points up to 5 acres. Shelters must sit in a side or rear yard at least 10 feet from the property line, and a certificate of zoning compliance is required before keeping any animals.
Violations & Fines
Keeping roosters, geese or turkeys on a sub-5-acre lot, exceeding the point cap, or operating without a zoning certificate violates Section 115.08 and can be enforced through the county's zoning compliance process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a rooster in Franklin County?
How many chickens can I keep on one acre?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
How Franklin County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Ohio animal ordinances overview
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