The regulations of this section are established to permit the keeping and raising of small livestock and bees in a manner that prevents nuisances to occupants of nearby properties and prevents conditions that are unsanitary or unsafe.
(a) Small livestock. The keeping of chickens, ducks, rabbits, and similar farm animals, and cages, coops and enclosures for the keeping of such animals shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) A maximum of six (6) such animals may be kept on the property.
(2) Geese, turkeys and roosters are not permitted. However, if the gender of a chick cannot be determined at hatching, a chick of either gender may be kept on the property for no more than six (6) months.
(3) Coops and Cages. All such animals shall be provided with a covered, predator-proof coop or cage or other shelter that is thoroughly ventilated, designed to be easily accessed and cleaned, and of sufficient size to permit free movement of the animals, exclusive of areas used for storage of materials or vehicles.
A. The coops and cages housing such animals shall be located in the rear yard, a minimum of five (5) feet from a side or rear lot line.
B. The total area of all coops or cages on a lot shall not be greater than thirty-two (32) square feet for up to six (6) animals. Coops and cages shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height.
(4) Enclosures and Fences. Such animals shall have access to an outdoor enclosure adequately fenced or otherwise bounded to contain the animals on the property and to prevent access by dogs and other predators and providing at least ten (10) square feet of area for each such animal.
(5) Coops, cages and enclosures shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. Waste materials shall be disposed in a manner that will not cause odor or attract flies or vermin.
(6) Slaughtering of small livestock is prohibited, and no commercial activity shall be permitted as a result from the keeping of small livestock on the property.
(7) The restrictions of this section do not pertain to household pets or companion animals.
(b) Bees. The keeping of bees, and associated beehives, shall comply with the following regulations.
(1) No more than one (1) beehive shall be kept for each four thousand (4,000) square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of eight (8) beehives.
(2) Beehive Location and Setbacks.
A. Beehives shall be located in the rear yard, a minimum of five (5) feet from a side or rear lot line.
B. No beehive shall be kept closer than ten (10) feet to a dwelling or the permitted placement of a dwelling on an adjacent parcel.
C. The front of any beehive shall face towards the interior of the lot on which it is located and away from the property line of the residential property closest to the beehive.
(3) A solid fence or dense hedge, known as a "flyway barrier," at least six (6) feet in height shall be placed along the side of the beehive that contains the entrance to the hive, and shall be located within five (5) feet of the hive and shall extend at least two (2) feet on either side of the hive. No such flyway barrier shall be required if all beehives are located at least twenty-five (25) feet from all property lines.
(4) A supply of fresh water shall be maintained in a location readily accessible to the beehives on the site throughout the day to prevent bees from congregating at neighboring swimming pools or other sources of water on nearby properties.
(5) No Africanized bees may be kept on a property under the regulations of this section.
(6) Any person owning or possessing bees shall comply with all state laws, including the requirements in ORC 909.02 for obtaining a certificate of registration from the director of agriculture.
(Ord. 2020-21. Passed 2-18-20.)