Residents, councilors revisit Berea chicken ordinance and 2015 limits

At the April 7 Berea City Council meeting, a resident urged council to revisit the city’s poultry (backyard chicken) limits, and councilors and other residents recounted the history and rationale behind the current ordinance.

A resident who identified himself as Mike of 425 Walnut Drive said he had looked into the ordinance’s history and argued against broad bans, noting that many owners are responsible: “I wish that y'all would take into consideration some like that. That's just because somebody is irresponsible with the chicken.”

A council member who reviewed the ordinance on Friday told the chamber that the code provision in question is codified as Ordinance 905.03 (poultry). That council member read the current limits: properties under 10,000 square feet may keep eight poultry; properties larger than 10,000 square feet but less than one acre may keep 12; and properties larger than one acre may keep 24. He said the council that passed the rules in 2015 initially allowed a higher phase‑in set of 12, 18 and 36 to give owners time to reach the lower caps.

Council members and residents described why the city moved away from an outright ban: during the drafting process a group of residents (one councilor described it as a “chicken tour”) showed council examples of responsible backyard chicken keeping and influenced the final compromise. Several councilors said they would be open to revisiting training, inspection, or a planning‑commission review to allow responsible owners to seek approvals or demonstrate compliance.

Council did not take formal legislative action at the meeting. Several council members urged the resident to coordinate with neighbors and staff to produce a proposal or specific amendment for future consideration.