Findlay City Council passed an ordinance regarding having farm animals within city limits.

The city says the Farm Animal Ordinance establishes clear, consistent, and fair regulations for keeping farm animals within city limits, protects animal welfare and public health, addresses growing interest in backyard livestock, and provides clear standards to reduce neighborhood conflicts and enforcement ambiguity.

Get more details on the ordinance below, and by clicking here. 

 

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-154

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CLEAR, CONSISTENT AND FAIR REGULATIONS

FOR THE KEEPING OF FARM ANIMALS IN THE CITY.

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council for the City of Findlay, Ohio:

WHEREAS, Council for the City of Findlay desires to establish clear, consistent and fair

regulations for the keeping of farm animals in the City, and;

 

WHEREAS, Council for the City of Findlay desires to address growing community

interest in backyard livestock with the intention of providing standards to prevent

nuisance issues, protect animal welfare and public health.

 

SECTION 1. That effective immediately upon adoption of this Ordinance, the new

regulations on the keeping of farm animals in the City of Findlay as attached hereto

shall be active and enforced.

 

WHEREFORE, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its

passage and approval by the Mayor.

 

NEW CHAPTER 508 – FARM ANIMALS

508.01 Purpose.

The regulations of this chapter are established to permit the non-commercial keeping of farm animals

within the City, provided that such animals are properly cared for, do not create nuisances, and are

maintained in safe and sanitary conditions. These regulations shall be enforced in conjunction with

Section 505.08 of the Findlay Municipal Code and the Ohio Administrative Code 901:12.

 

508.02 Small Farm Animals.

(a) Permitted Use. Small Farm Animals may be kept on any parcel within the City without limitation on

lot size or number, provided they are maintained in accordance with all other applicable regulations.

 

508.03 Medium Farm Animals.

(a) Lot Size. No Medium Farm Animal shall be kept on a parcel less than one (1) acre in area.

(b) Fencing. All animals shall be contained within a fenced enclosure located only within the rear yard.

(c) Shelter. All Medium Farm Animals shall be provided with shelter that complies with applicable

building and zoning setback requirements.

 

508.04 Large Farm Animals.

(a) Lot Size. No Large Farm Animal shall be kept on a parcel less than three (3) acres in area.

(b) Fencing and Shelter. Fencing and shelter requirements shall be the same as those set forth in Section

508.03.

 

508.05 Sanitation and Nuisance Standards.

(a) Animal Welfare. All animals shall be kept in a clean, healthy, and humane condition.

(b) Slaughtering. Only Small Farm Animals may be slaughtered on-site, and only for household

consumption. Such slaughtering shall not be visible from adjoining properties or public rights-of-way.

(c) Nuisance Control. The keeping of any farm animal shall comply with the nuisance provisions of

Chapter 505 of this Code.

 

508.06 4-H and Educational Exemption.

(a) Animals kept as part of a recognized 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), or similar youth

agricultural education program shall be permitted.

(b) Written verification of enrollment or program participation shall be provided to the City upon request.

 

508.07 Grandfathering.

(a) Animals lawfully kept prior to the effective date of this chapter may remain as a legal nonconforming

use, provided:

(1) The number of animals or facilities is not expanded;

(2) The use is continuous and not discontinued for twelve (12) months; and

() Nonconforming rights shall transfer with the property.

 

508.08 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) Farm Animals, Small – Animals with an expected adult weight of less than fifty (50) pounds,

including but not limited to chickens, ducks, rabbits, and similar animals.

(b) Farm Animals, Medium – Livestock with an expected adult weight between fifty (50) and five

hundred (500) pounds, including but not limited to goats, sheep, and similar animals.

(c) Farm Animals, Large – Livestock with an expected adult weight greater than five hundred (500)

pounds, including but not limited to horses, cows, pigs, and similar animals.

 

(d) Companion Animal or Pet: As defined by the Ohio Revised Code §959.131, a companion animal

includes any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and is dependent on humans for food and

shelter, but does not include livestock or wild animals. Examples include dogs, cats, rabbits, small birds,

hamsters, and similar animals customarily kept indoors.

(e) Livestock or Farm Animal: As defined by Ohio Administrative Code 901:12-1-02, livestock

includes equine animals, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, alpacas, llamas, and other animals raised for

human food, fiber, or agricultural purposes.

 

508.99 Penalty

(a) Whoever violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be fined

not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

(b) In all cases, wherein, a person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of any provision

of this chapter, the court shall, in addition to any fine or sentenced imposed upon the offender, order the

nuisance abated within thirty (30) days.

(c) Nothing in this penalty section shall prevent the City from pursuing other actions or charges under the Ohio Revised Code.