Reynoldsburg hears hours of public comment on backyard chickens; council directs staff to study permitting, enforcement

Dozens of residents and two legal interns spoke for and against allowing backyard chickens in Reynoldsburg during a work session April 14, and council members asked staff to return with more analysis and cost estimates at the council’s first May meeting.

The session featured two prepared presentations from legal interns in the city attorney’s office — one pro and one con — followed by more than two hours of public comment from residents and organized supporters and opponents. Supporters emphasized food security, education and neighborhood self-sufficiency; opponents cited disease risk, odors, predators and enforcement burdens.

The debate mattered to council because it raised implementation questions that would affect city operations and budgets. Council members repeatedly asked whether the city could rely on Columbus Public Health for permitting and inspection, how enforcement would be handled locally, and whether existing staffing would be sufficient. Mayor Joe Beggin and city staff said the city has two park rangers who could be the front line for complaints but that additional code-enforcement capacity would likely be required…