Backyard Chickens in Cleveland, Ohio

Can you keep chickens in Cleveland?

Thinking about keeping backyard hens in Cleveland? The city's zoning code allows residents to raise chickens with a public health license, a lot-size-based hen limit, and clear coop setback rules. Here's everything Peggy's Happy Chickens found in Cleveland's actual municipal code so you can start your flock on the right foot.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are legal in Cleveland. The keeping of chickens, ducks, rabbits and similar farm animals, and cages, coops and enclosures for the keeping of such animals, shall be governed by the following regulations under Cleveland Zoning Code § 347.02(b). In Residential Districts, no more than one (1) such animal shall be kept on a parcel of land for each eight hundred (800) square feet of parcel or lot area. For a standard residential lot of four thousand eight hundred (4,800) square feet, this regulation would permit no more than a total of six (6) such animals (§ 347.02(b)(1)A). Roosters are heavily restricted: No roosters, geese or turkeys may be kept in a Residential District except on a parcel that is at least one (1) acre in area and only if the coop or cage housing the bird(s) is at least one hundred (100) feet from all property lines (§ 347.02(b)(1)C). Anyone keeping chickens must also apply for a two (2) year license from the City of Cleveland through its Department of Public Health on a form provided by that office (§ 347.02(j); § 205.04).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: Yes
Setback from property line: 5 ft.

Peggy knows Cleveland

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Setbacks: The coops or cages housing such animals may not be located in front yard or side street yard areas and shall not be located within five (5) feet of a side yard line nor within eighteen (18) inches of a rear yard line, except where the rear lot line forms the side lot line or front lot line of an abutting property, in which case the setback from such rear lot line shall be five (5) feet (§ 347.02(b)(1)B).
Coop construction: All animals shall be provided with a covered, predator-proof coop or cage or other shelter that is thoroughly ventilated, designed to be easily accessed and cleaned, and of sufficient size to permit free movement of the animals, and the total area of all coops or cages on a lot shall not be greater than thirty-two (32) square feet for up to six (6) animals. Coops and cages, singly or in combination, shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height (§ 347.02(b)(1)D).
Outdoor run: Chickens and other birds shall have access to an outdoor enclosure adequately fenced or otherwise bounded to contain the birds on the property and to prevent access by dogs and other predators and providing at least ten (10) square feet of area for each bird (§ 347.02(b)(1)E).
Non-residential lots: In zoning districts other than Residential Districts, all regulations applicable in Residential Districts shall apply except that the number of such animals shall be limited to one (1) animal for each four hundred (400) square feet of lot area (§ 347.02(b)(2)).
Noise/nuisance: Farm animals shall be kept only in conditions that limit odors and noise and the attraction of insects and rodents so as not to cause a nuisance to occupants of nearby buildings or properties and not to cause health hazards, and it shall be unlawful for any person or other party operating or occupying any building or premises to keep or allow to be kept any animal or bird that makes noise so as to habitually disturb the peace and quiet of any person in the vicinity of the premises (§ 347.02(f)-(g)).
Slaughtering: Chickens, ducks, rabbits and similar small animals may be slaughtered on site only if for consumption by the occupants of the premises (§ 347.02(h)).
Licensing: The 2-year Public Health license application must include the property size, number of animals, a scaled drawing of coop placement relative to property lines and neighboring houses, a waste-management plan, and the addresses of all adjoining properties; the Public Health Director shall not approve any initial license application for the keeping of farm animals or bees prior to approval of the site plan by the Department of Building and Housing and neighbors within the residential district must be notified and given 21 days to comment before approval (§ 205.04(a)-(b)).
Penalties: Violations that are not corrected within 7 days of notice carry escalating fines — for a first offense, a fine of fifty dollars ($50), seventy-five dollars for a second offense within four months, and removal/impoundment of the animals for a third offense (§ 205.04(f)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Cleveland

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6a/6b

Cleveland sits along Lake Erie in a humid continental climate. Most of the city falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b (with some lakeshore areas nudging into 7a), meaning average winter lows can dip to roughly -5°F to 0°F. Lake Erie's moderating effect softens some of the harshest cold but also brings heavy lake-effect snow and damp winters, so coops need solid insulation, draft-free but ventilated design, and protection against ice and snow load.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumSkunk

Cleveland's mix of urban neighborhoods, ravines, and green spaces along the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie shoreline supports healthy populations of raccoons, opossums, and skunks that are skilled at exploiting weak coop latches, and red-tailed hawks and other raptors that patrol backyards from above. Foxes are also increasingly spotted in Cleveland's inner suburbs and parkland corridors. A fully enclosed, hardware-cloth-wrapped run with a secure roof is essential.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Buff Orpington, Australorp, Chantecler (all cold-hardy, dual-purpose breeds well suited to Cleveland's snowy winters)

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Cleveland

▸How many chickens can I keep in Cleveland?

In residential districts, you may keep no more than one (1) such animal ... for each eight hundred (800) square feet of parcel or lot area, which works out to no more than a total of six (6) such animals on a standard 4,800-square-foot lot (§ 347.02(b)(1)A). Larger lots may keep proportionally more.

▸Are roosters allowed in Cleveland?

Generally no. No roosters, geese or turkeys may be kept in a Residential District except on a parcel that is at least one (1) acre in area and only if the coop or cage housing the bird(s) is at least one hundred (100) feet from all property lines (§ 347.02(b)(1)C).

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Cleveland?

Yes. Anyone proposing to keep farm animals or bees on a property in the City of Cleveland shall apply for a two (2) year license from the City of Cleveland through its Department of Public Health, with a fee set by the Board of Control, and the application must include a site plan and be reviewed with notice to adjoining property owners (§ 347.02(j); § 205.04).

▸How far must my coop be from the property line?

Coops may not be located in front yard or side street yard areas and shall not be located within five (5) feet of a side yard line nor within eighteen (18) inches of a rear yard line, except a 5-foot setback applies where a rear lot line abuts a neighboring side or front lot line (§ 347.02(b)(1)B).

▸Can I slaughter my chickens at home in Cleveland?

Yes, on a limited basis. Chickens, ducks, rabbits and similar small animals may be slaughtered on site only if for consumption by the occupants of the premises (§ 347.02(h)).

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Cleveland or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 31, 2026.