Chickens & Livestock: Heath vs Newark
How do chickens & livestock rules compare between Heath, OH and Newark, OH?
Newark has fewer restrictions than Heath.
Heath, OH
Licking County
The City of Heath does not list chicken-keeping or livestock as a permitted accessory use in residential zoning districts. Heath's Codified Ordinances incorporate Ohio Revised Code animal-cruelty and disease-control provisions, but the City has not adopted a separate backyard-hen ordinance like neighboring Newark (Licking County). Most Heath residential parcels are treated as urban residential where keeping chickens, ducks, geese, goats, or other livestock requires zoning relief.
View full Heath rules →Newark, OH
Licking County
Newark's Zoning Code (Ord. 08-33) limits agricultural uses including the keeping of poultry and livestock to agricultural and certain residential-suburban (R-S) zones. Most R-1/R-2/R-3 residential lots in the city are not zoned for backyard chickens.
View full Newark rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Heath | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Code Reference | Heath Codified Ordinances | - |
| Backyard Hen Permit | Not offered | - |
| Compare to Newark OH | Newark allows 6 hens / $30 permit | - |
| Contact | Heath Planning & Zoning Dept. | - |
| Authority | - | Newark Zoning Code (Ord. 08-33) |
| Permitted Zones | - | Agricultural, R-S (with conditions) |
| Urban Residential | - | Not permitted in R-1/R-2/R-3 |
| Roosters | - | Often violate §634.04(a)(1) |
| Verify Zoning | - | Newark Engineering & Zoning (740) 670-7740 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Heath FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in Heath, OH?
Heath's Codified Ordinances and zoning code do not list residential chicken-keeping as a permitted accessory use, and Heath has not adopted a backyard-hen permit ordinance like nearby Newark. In practical terms, chickens are not allowed in standard residential districts without a use variance from the Heath Planning & Zoning Commission.
Does Heath OH allow livestock like goats or pigs?
No. Heath's residential zoning does not permit goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, or other livestock as accessory uses. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 959 (cruelty) and Chapter 941 (disease control) apply statewide, but local zoning controls whether the animals may be kept on a residential lot.
Newark FAQ
Can I keep backyard chickens in Newark, Ohio?
Only if your parcel is zoned Agricultural or R-S (Suburban Residence) and you meet that district's lot-size and setback rules. Chickens are not a permitted use in R-1/R-2/R-3 residential zones.
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