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Springdale council approves ordinance allowing three household pets
Summary
Springdale City Council on May 7 adopted an ordinance amending the city code to raise the number of permitted household pets from two to three, a change supporters said provides interim relief while a broader code review is planned.
Springdale City Council on May 7 voted 5-2 to adopt Ordinance No. 10-20-25, amending Section 153.252 of the Springdale Code of Ordinances to increase the maximum number of household dogs and cats a residence may keep from two to three.
Councilmember Vanover opposed the change, saying it is a short-term fix that should not remain in the building code. "I think this is a Band‑Aid. I think we really need to go in, and take these animals out of the building code," Vanover said during discussion. Councilmember Sullivan Weiskop, who cited Planning Commission review, said the amendment provides relief for residents while the city studies a broader update. "When this code was first made ... it was back when people had dog houses in their backyard," she said, arguing the ordinance should reflect modern living.
The ordinance text amends Section 153.252 F(6)(a)(i) to permit "no more than 3 dogs, 3 cats, or a combination of dogs and cats so as to not total more than 3." The legislation states the change takes effect "from and after the earliest period allowed by law" and notes compliance with open‑meetings requirements in the Ohio Revised Code.
Planning Commission reviewed the proposal and recommended approval before it reached council. Supporters on council described the change as an interim measure and said a separate, broader review of animal regulation — including whether the rules should remain in the building/land‑use code — will follow through the planning and administration process.
The motion to adopt the ordinance was moved and seconded on May 7; council conducted a roll call vote before declaring the ordinance passed. The recorded votes were: Mrs. Melvin, Aye; Mr. Gleaves, Aye; Ms. McFarland, Aye; Mr. Jacobs, Aye; Mr. Vanover, No; Mrs. Webster, No; Mr. Anderson, Aye. The tally was five in favor, two opposed; outcome: approved.
Council members and staff said the change is intended to provide limited, immediate relief to households while officials work on recommendations for a more comprehensive code update.
