Hen Keeping

Applications will be available by March 20, 2026

Effective April 1, 2026, residents of the City of Mansfield will be allowed to maintain up to 6 hens on
residential property after proper licensing. This ordinance was passed to allow for limited and responsible
hen keeping within City limits.


Residents wishing to maintain hens on property in Mansfield City Limits, must first obtain a license. License application will be available through our Citizen Access Portal here:
https://aca-prod.accela.com/MANSFIELD/Default.aspx


Applicants must first create a user account.


Applications for Hen Keeping are located under the Licensing- New Applications tab.
Renewal notices will be automatically sent out through the system. Failure to renew prior to the deadline will require a new application and penalty fees.

Quick Facts

  • Up to a maximum of 6 hens
  • NO ROOSTERS
  • May be maintained on lost with one or two-family dwellings only
  • Hens must be confined dusk to dawn
  • Free ranging is prohinibted
  • Properties must remain clean, dry and order free
  • Banding is required with license. Owners must obtain bands separately from licensing
  • Feed must be properly stored to prevent nuisances
  • Coops must be 12″ off the ground, and meet setback requirements described here
  • MUST complete backyard poultry course
  • Rental properties require a rental agreement with the property owner
  • Initial registration fee of $100, renewals $25 per year
  • Penalties for non-compliance

Education

Applicants are required to
submit proof of completion
of a backyard poultry
education course. OSU
provides an online course
here:
https://go.osu.edu/chicken


Other similar courses may be
approved, provided they
maintain similar concepts for
education and responsible
ownership.

Resources

Links to external organizations are provided for
informational purposes only. The City of Mansfield does not
endorse or control the content of external websites and is
not responsible for their accuracy, privacy policies, or
practices.


https://www.backyardchickens.com
https://welcometochickenlandia.com
https://the-chicken-chick.com
https://purelychickens https://u.osu.edu/lorainanr/backyard-poultry-resources/

Documents