By 1812Blockhouse
Mansfield City Council will take its first look at a proposal to allow limited backyard hen keeping when it meets this evening, November 18. Caucus begins at 7:00 PM, with the regular session following immediately afterward. The full text of the proposal is available through the city’s posted agenda materials which can be read here.
Proposed Section 505.19 would create a pathway for residents in one- and two-family homes to keep up to six hens, subject to registration, inspections, and ongoing standards. Roosters would not be permitted.
Registration and Training
Residents would need to register with the city before keeping hens. The application includes owner information, a site plan for the coop and run, proof of completing the Ohio State University Backyard Poultry Course (or an approved equivalent), and a one-time $100 registration fee. Rental properties would require written permission from the property owner.
An initial inspection is required, with a $50 reinspection fee if the property fails to meet standards twice. After approval, the registration must be renewed annually by January 31 for $25. Renewals submitted on or after February 1 would carry a $25 late fee.
Coop and Run Standards
The ordinance sets specific requirements for housing hens.
Coops must be raised at least 12 inches off the ground, provide at least 2.5 square feet per bird, meet accessory structure standards, and remain secure from dusk to dawn. Structures larger than 200 square feet would trigger an Ohio Building Code permit. Placement must meet existing setback rules under Mansfield’s zoning code.
Runs would need to offer at least 8 square feet of outdoor space per hen and be fully enclosed. Free-ranging outside the coop or run would not be allowed.
Sanitation and Care
All coops and runs would need to be kept clean, dry, and free from strong odors. Feed must be stored in containers that deter rodents and predators. Waste must be managed to prevent nuisance conditions such as dust, runoff, or vermin.
Each hen would also be banded with the permit number, which must remain visible.
Enforcement and Penalties
The Permitting and Development Division would oversee enforcement. Written violation notices would explain the issue, the necessary correction, and the right to appeal.
Permits could be revoked for unresolved nuisances, animal cruelty convictions, failure to keep hens properly enclosed, or any violation that threatens safety.
Civil penalties could reach $25 per day per violation. After 30 days of nonpayment, the city could certify costs to the County Auditor for placement on property taxes. Criminal penalties range from a fourth-degree misdemeanor on the first offense to a second-degree misdemeanor for repeated violations.
If adopted, the ordinance would take effect on April 1, 2026.
Image by JackieLou DL from Pixabay
