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Council reviews livestock setbacks and limits on backyard animals
Summary
Staff told the council Cleveland’s ordinance requires 100-foot setbacks from dwellings for livestock and a 2,500-sq-ft minimum area in many cases; chickens are allowed if cooped, but typical suburban lots may not meet setback requirements. Staff will draft clarifications.
City staff summarized Cleveland’s livestock and animal regulations Wednesday, telling the council many suburban lots will not meet the ordinance’s setback and acreage requirements for animals such as cows, goats and horses.
Unidentified Speaker 4 said regulations generally require large minimums for permitted livestock: animals such as cows and goats must be kept at least 100 feet from the nearest living floor of an occupied dwelling and certain enclosures must meet a minimum area (described in the transcript as 2,500 square feet). "Gotta be 100 feet," one speaker said when staff read the setback requirement.
The council asked whether chickens are permitted on typical residential lots. Staff said chickens are allowed but must be contained in a coop or pen and that the same setback language would apply to enclosures. "They can. They must be cooped for a pen," a police/staff speaker said.
Staff also noted nonconforming conditions that predate newer developments would be treated differently and could not be retroactively forced into compliance. Council asked staff to prepare clarifying ordinance language for review.
No formal action was taken; staff will draft clarifications and return to the council.
