By Erik Jones, Lorain Daily
LORAIN, OH — Are chickens coming home to roost in Lorain once again?
During Monday night’s city council meeting, the conversation took an unexpected—and slightly humorous—turn as council members debated whether residents should be allowed to raise backyard chickens within city limits. While the topic may sound lighthearted, the discussion revealed real tensions over urban farming, public health, and quality of life.
At the heart of the issue is whether Lorain should revisit a previously vetoed ordinance that would have legalized limited backyard chicken keeping. The original ordinance allowed one rooster and up to six hens per household, but it was overturned by the mayor at the time, who cited vague language and enforcement concerns.
Now, with renewed interest from residents—and growing demand for sustainable living—council members say it’s time to take another look.
“I’ve had a lot of support for chickens,” said Councilman Josh Thornsberry. “And I’ve read through ordinances from other cities that allow them. I’m just looking for feedback—pro chicken or anti-chicken?”
The response was swift—and passionate.
🐔 “We’ve Had Goats, Geese, Even Pigs…”
Several council members shared stories of rogue animals already roaming Lorain’s neighborhoods. From pigs and turkeys to roaming goats and uninvited roosters, it’s clear the city is no stranger to backyard livestock—even when they’re not technically legal.
Councilwoman Beth Henley recalled chickens on a neighbor’s property causing a foul odor and being suspected of involvement in underground chicken fighting—allegedly held in a basement.
“It’s very hard to get people to get rid of chickens,” Henley said. “They don’t just disappear—they find a ‘nice home.’”
Others, like Councilwoman Mary Springowski, said she’s fielded complaints from residents who were chased, cornered, or even knocked down by loose chickens.
“If they don’t follow the rules, it becomes a problem,” she warned. “That’s what townships are for.”
🥚 A Case for Urban Agriculture
Still, supporters of the ordinance argue that with proper guidelines—such as licensing, coop requirements, and limits on flock size—urban chickens can be a healthy, sustainable way to support food security and reduce grocery bills.
One council member even referenced national news, where a federal official recently encouraged Americans to raise chickens as a way to cope with rising egg prices.
“People are already doing it,” Thornsberry added. “We just need to get it under control with a real process.”
🐓 What’s Next?
A motion was passed to send the issue back to committee, where council will formally revisit the chicken ordinance. A public meeting is expected, where residents on both sides will have a chance to voice their opinions—be they pro-poultry or cluck-free advocates.
Councilman Mitchell Roy, who originally proposed the ordinance years ago, said he’s still in support of chickens under strict rules.
“We had it passed once—just got vetoed,” Roy said. “And honestly, people are going to do it anyway.”
👀 The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about chickens. It’s about how Lorain handles local control, evolving lifestyles, and community standards. As cities across the country revisit urban farming laws, Lorain’s debate offers a window into how tradition, policy, and personality often collide in unexpected ways.
So… should backyard chickens be legal in Lorain?
Council is ready to hear from you. Just don’t bring a rooster to the meeting.
Would you raise chickens if it were legal? Or would you rather keep the city coop-free?
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — and let us know if your neighbor already has a few feathered friends!
This is a nice city let’s keep it that way let’s get better not worse
Yes I support allowing chickens in Lorain. Also, I would be interested in possibly raising 3 or4 myself just for the purpose of eating healthier, but no roosters. Avon just passed an ordinance allowing chickens and Lorain can’t even begin to compete with Avon status-wise. It would be wise for Lorain to allow its residents to raise a few per household. I don’t agree with breeding them and having them run loose, so roosters would be unnecessary.
I have absolutely no problem with people having a few chickens in their backyard. I occasionally see a few roaming the neighborhood and I think they are adorable. I also don’t blame people for trying to offset the cost of food. I would like to see more urban gardens as well.
I’d definitely keep chickens no rooster if I only want eggs. I’d need 1 rooster to have more chickens to eat. At this point eggs is the priority. I’d ha e a large enough coop off the ground for the daily dropping cleaning. Again in a large coop with wheels for easy moving. No chickens climbing on my neighbors property or roosters disturbing my neighbors or they’re sleep baby idk just saying.
Yes raising chickens should be legal in Lorain county.
I have been a resident of Lorain my whole life, I am a proud owner of chickens. I have raised chickens my whole life. I rely on my organic eggs; they are a huge part of our diet. My chickens are like my children, they are very well taken care of. I do not free roam; they are kept in a safe and clean enclosure that is fenced off. My property sits on a half-acre, my nearest neighbor is a football field away. I recently received a citation from the city of Lorain and was told I need to get rid of my chickens immediately. This news is devasting to my family, we depend on our chickens and love them very much. Our chickens depend on us as much as we depend on them. It is impossible to relocate 18 chickens and ensure they are going to safe location that won’t harm them or use them for the wrong reasons. We have called several rescue centers and are having trouble relocating them. If the city insists on us getting rid of them, we will need to be provided with services and/or rescue centers that will take them safely. Sincerely yours,
MrJunior.
hello
Let the people have their chickens!!!!
I will really to raise chicken to have our own eggs! I feel that raising chicken helps for kids as well to be engaged on it and it would be less kids on the streets if they are allowed as well to have n collects eggs.
Tell Lorain Bully’s to 🤙 call me those are on my farm animals .Jack Bradley .
We had chickens for three years in my backyard. I get between 4 to 6 eggs a day, which we help by giving them to our grandchildren as long as there is no roosters very little noise made by the chickens besides in the early mornings when they’re waking up and filling the sun Lovely little creatures as long as they’re treated right you’re like a little dog they look forward to seeing us every day
My daughter lives in Pasadena CA where it is legal to keep chickens in her neighborhood. The homes are extremely close together. Her neighbor has several chickens and though it means she has an occasional feathered visitor in her yard which has flown the coop, she does enjoy the benefits of fresh eggs from her neighbors and the charm of clucking hens. I would love to see this ordinance passed with good clear restrictions.
I believe it should be allowed. There should be limits, but we pay taxes! It is our property stop telling us what we can and cannot do with it!
I love chickens and I think people should be able to have a few hens in their backyard with the price of food they really can help a family get through hard time when buying food because you can literally eat eggs with a lot of stuff you can feed them scraps they they can survive of that and bugs from outside… I would rather have my neighbors chickens roaming in my yard then their dogs please consider helping people literally keep food in the table by having a few chickens around
People should have the right to having chickens if we can grow gardens for food we should be able to raise animals for food food is getting more pricey and food banks are getting harder to fill please think about it
Does anybody know when the next town hall meeting is? I would like to attend!