The keeping of livestock, chickens, bees and exotic animals shall be permitted as an accessory use provided the requirements of Chapter 505 "Animals and Fowl" of the General Offenses Code of the Village of Elmore are met and the following restrictions:
(a) Livestock. Property owners are permitted to raise and keep livestock on farms in the R-R district of five (5) acres or more in size without complying with the requirements of this section.
(b) Chickens, Ducks, Rabbits and Similar Small Livestock. The keeping of chickens, ducks, rabbits and similar small livestock animals, and cages, coops, and enclosures for the keeping of such animals, shall be governed by the following regulations:
(1) Number. No more than one (1) such animal shall be kept on a parcel of land for each eight hundred (800) square feet of parcel or lot area. For a residential lot of 7,200 square feet, this regulation would permit no more than a total of nine (9) such animals.
(2) Setbacks. The coops or cages housing such animals may not be located in front yard or side yard areas and shall not be located within ten (10) feet of a side yard line or of a rear yard line and a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from any residential structure on an adjoining lot. No animals shall be kept in required front yard or side street yard areas.
(3) Prohibitions. No roosters, geese or turkeys may be kept in a residential district except on a parcel that is at least one (1) acre in area and only if the coop or cage housing the bird(s) is at least one hundred (100) feet from all property lines. For parcels greater than one (1) acre in area, one (1) additional such bird may be kept for each 24,000 square feet in excess of one (1) acre. No predatory birds may be kept on any property under the regulations of this section.
(c) Keeping of Bees.
(1) Setbacks. No beehive shall be kept closer than ten (10) feet to any lot line and no beehive shall be kept in a required front yard or side yard
(2) Post Certificate. All beekeeping shall be in compliance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 909 "Apiaries," and all other applicable State of Ohio rules and regulations. Property owners keeping bees must post a copy of their certificate of registration from the Ohio Department of Agriculture on or near the hives.
(d) Sanitation and Nuisances. Farm animals shall be kept only in conditions that limit odors and noise and the attraction of insects and rodents so as not to cause a nuisance to occupants of nearby buildings or properties and not to cause health hazards. Furthermore, farm animals shall not be kept in a manner that is injurious or unhealthful to the animals being kept on the property.
(e) Animal or Bird Noise. It shall be unlawful for any person or other party operating or occupying any building or premises to keep or allow to be kept any animal or bird that makes noise so as to habitually disturb the peace and quiet of any person in the vicinity of the premises.
(f) Slaughtering of Animals. Chickens, ducks, rabbits and similar small animals may be slaughtered on site only if for use by the occupants of the premises and not for sale. No other farm animal may be slaughtered on site.
(g) Exotic Animals. The raising or keeping of exotic animals shall be prohibited as defined in Chapter 1171 "Definitions."
(Ord. 30-22. Passed 12-12-22.)