Cleveland's Urban Agriculture Overlay District, established in 2010, allows chickens, ducks, rabbits, bees, and limited goats on residential lots meeting minimum size and setback requirements. Roosters, pigs, cattle, and horses are generally prohibited in residential districts. Keepers must comply with CCO Chapter 347, which sets caps on animal numbers by lot size and requires humane housing, sanitation, and neighbor setbacks. Beekeeping is regulated under ORC Chapter 923 and requires registration with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Under Cleveland's livestock ordinances, a typical residential lot may keep up to six chicken hens (no roosters) plus additional hens on larger lots, with coops set back at least 18 inches from side lot lines and further from dwellings. Bees are allowed with a maximum number of hives based on lot size, hives set back from property lines, and water sources provided to reduce neighbor contact. Pygmy goats may be allowed as pets on sufficiently large lots with approval. Manure must be managed to avoid odor and runoff. Apiaries must be registered annually with the Ohio Department of Agriculture under ORC §923.52. Slaughtering of livestock on residential lots is generally prohibited. Urban farms of significant scale require specific zoning review.
Keeping prohibited livestock, exceeding animal limits, or creating nuisance conditions can result in orders to remove animals, daily fines, and Housing Court action. Unregistered apiaries can be cited by the state.
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