Findlay inching closer to farm animal rules

FINDLAY — Findlay City Council's Planning and Zoning Committee is edging closer to a recommendation on farm animal regulations, but buy-in from some city residents is still going to be a tough sell. About 20 people, including several city officials, attended a public meeting on the proposed legislation. Matt Cordonnier, director of the Hancock Regional Planning Commission, reviewed the proposed ordinance, and City Law Director Robert Feighner Jr. was also on hand to answer questions. While there were calls to scrap the ordinance entirely, several suggestions were also made to improve it. Cordonnier was taking notes. He said the public comment — along with possible changes to the rules - will be reviewed at Thursday's committee meeting. The committee will meet at 12 p.m. in the Findlay Municipal Building, 318 Dorney Plaza. All committee meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel: FindlayOhio. The committee has been working for several months to draft the new legislation, but so far has not made a formal recommendation to council. Committee members include Dennis Hellmann, R-2, Dan DeArment, R-4, Jim Niemeyer, R-6, and Grant Russel, R-at-large, with Brian Bauman, R-5, chairman. According to the current proposal, small farm animals such as chickens, ducks, and rabbits (under 50 pounds) would be permitted on any parcel in the city without restrictions on lot size or number, provided sanitation and nuisance standards are met. Medium farm animals like goats and sheep (50–500 lbs.) would require a minimum lot size of one acre and must be kept in a fenced rear yard with shelters meeting zoning setbacks. Large farm animals, including horses, cows, and pigs (over 500 lbs.) would be allowed only on parcels of at least three acres, with similar fencing and shelter requirements. The ordinance also includes provisions for sanitation, on-site slaughtering (limited to small animals and not visible from neighboring properties), and exemptions for youth programs such as 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). Existing animal owners may be grandfathered in if they register their animals within 90 days of the ordinance being enacted and maintain current conditions without expansion. City officials say the proposed farm animal legislation is meant to create a framework of clear, consistent, and fair regulations for keeping farm animals within the city limits. As interest in backyard livestock continues to grow among residents, the ordinance will put standards in place to prevent sanitation problems and nuisances. It is also designed to protect both animal welfare and public health, reducing the potential for neighborhood conflicts and eliminating ambiguity in enforcement. Enforcement would be complaint-driven, with zoning staff and police sharing responsibility. Feighner stressed that his office reviews cases before charges are filed, aiming for resolution through communication rather than immediate penalties. Cordonnier said the committee has already simplified the original draft and is considering additional changes based on feedback, such as clarifying sanitation and manure management practices, refining medium and large animal requirements, and adjusting exemptions for youth programs like 4-H and FFA. "I looked at a lot of different cities. I looked at 117 cities. Sixty-four had regulations for farm animals, 37 outright prohibited farm animals, and 19 were silent on farm animals," he said. "And Findlay is one of the 19 communities that are silent on farm animals." On Monday, residents asked for more flexibility on lot sizes and weight limits, noting that one acre for goats and three acres for horses seemed arbitrary and unfair compared to large dogs kept on small lots. Many wanted goats and mini pigs treated as small animals, with weight limits raised to 100–150 pounds, and suggested density-based rules instead of strict acreage requirements. People also questioned the 90-day grandfathering deadline and argued it should apply to owners, not just properties, and allow reasonable facility upgrades. Others pushed for clear definitions separating farm animals from indoor pets, so companion pigs aren't penalized. Cordonnier said he would research these concerns, including exemptions for pet pigs, revising lot sizes, adjusting weight thresholds, and clarifying grandfathering protections before Thursday's committee meeting. In April 2023, a proposal to set standards and restrictions in the zoning code for keeping farm animals within city limits was pulled from consideration by the committee due to vocal public opposition. The city currently has no restrictions on the keeping of farm animals. The new rules could become official by the end of the year.