Welcome to the Avon Lake Backyard Chicken Program 

We’re excited to offer residents the chance to keep chickens. It is not only a fun and rewarding experience, but it also benefits you, your community, and the environment. Here’s how we’re making it possible to have healthy hens, responsible owners, and happy neighborhoods. 

This page lists the steps required to obtain a permit, ensuring healthy and responsible backyard hen keeping.

Benefits of Backyard Chickens 

• Fresh, high-quality eggs – Backyard hens provide fresh, high-quality eggs, contributing to a sustainable lifestyle.
• Fertilizer – Chicken droppings are a natural fertilizer rich in nitrogen, making them great for the garden after being composted.
• Natural pest control – Hens consume insects reducing the need for pesticides.
• Hens eat table scraps – Hens recycle food scraps into eggs and waste. 
• Educational projects for kids – Keeping hens is a fun way for kids to learn where their food comes from, how to care for animals, and sustainability.
• Easy pets – Hens are easy going, low-maintenance, and friendly pets.

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How to Get Started

1. Complete a fun and informative online course: Take the self-paced $25, 6-module course provided by The Ohio State University (OSU) in Backyard Poultry. Completing this course ensures the applicant understands proper poultry care for keeping healthy, happy hens. The completion certificate is then uploaded with the coop/run permit application. Learn more about OSU's Backyard Poultry course.
2. Review the requirements and restrictions - Rules pertaining to backyard chickens and coop/runs are detailed in ordinance 1224.01 ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES. 
3. Apply for permits through the Access Avon Lake Portal – Zoning and Accessory building permits are required to ensure that your coop/run meets local regulations. Specific fees are listed for electrical, plumbing, and accessory buildings (coop/run). The process is easy to complete online through the Access Avon Lake portal.
4. Submit your application through the Access Avon Lake portal. Your application should include: 

• A sketch, rendering or photo of your coop/run that includes your fence, wall or landscape screen plan, per ordinance 1226.03 FENCES AND WALLS. You can find your backyard plat on the Lorain County Auditor's website. 
• Indicate whether or not you need electricity and plumbing. 
• Indicate the number egg laying hens you plan to raise. 
• Include a copy of your OSU Backyard Poultry course certificate of completion. 
• Confirm a relationship with a veterinarian to ensure the health of your chickens. 
• Payment for any applicable permit fees. 

If you are not the owner of the property where the chickens will be raised, the signature of the property owner permitting backyard chickens is required in addition to the signature of the renter/leaser of the property.  

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Important Information 

Before you apply for the Avon Lake Backyard Chickens program, please keep in mind: 

• No roosters - Only hens are allowed. 
• No commercial activity - Selling eggs, chickens, or meat from chickens is prohibited. 
• Killing of chickens in neighborhoods is not permitted - Chickens may only be dispatched at State/Federally licensed processing facilities or a veterinarian clinic. 
• Violations may result in permit revocation - By signing the permit application, the applicant and property owner permit the City of Avon Lake personnel onto the property to inspect the coop/run, condition of the chickens, and in response to complaints of offensive odors, noises, or other violations of the ordinance. Permits may be revoked if violations occur, pursuant to ordinance 1214.10 ZONING PERMIT. 
  • Appeals Process - If a permit is revoked or denied the applicant may seek an appeal pursuant to ordinance 1214.11 APPEALS. 
  • Permit Renewal - Your permit will renew automatically if you are in compliance unless the property is sold or the permit holder is cited for noncompliance.