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Animal Ordinance - Community Survey

The City of Columbus is taking a fresh look at its Animal Ordinance to keep it fair, clear, and true to our rural roots. We’d love to hear your thoughts on whether the current rules should stay the same, be clarified, or updated.

Your responses are anonymous and won’t be used for any enforcement purposes.
About You
1.I am a:
2.The approximate size of my lot is:
3.Do you currently keep animals on your property?
4.If yes, what types of animals do you have? (check all that apply)
Understanding the Current Rules
5.How familiar are you with the City’s current rules for keeping animals?
6.If you’ve looked at the rules before, how easy were they to understand?
Lot Size and Animal Type
7.In your opinion, what is a reasonable minimum lot size for keeping each type of animal?
< 2.5 Acres
2.5 - 5 Acres
5 - 10 Acres
> 10 Acres
Not Sure
Chickens and poultry
Goats and sheep
Horses and cattle
8.Should residents with smaller lots (under 5 acres) be allowed to keep a few small animals, such as chickens, rabbits, or goats?
9.Should the City continue allowing large animals (like horses or cattle) as it does now?
10.What factors do you think matter most when deciding how many animals a property should have? (check up to two)
Animal Permits and Process
Currently, most residents do not need a permit to keep animals unless they are operating a kennel. The City is considering a simple, one-time zoning permit to help keep track of properties with animals and confirm basic information such as setbacks and fencing.
11.Would you support this simple permit approach?
Common Issues and Enforcement
12.Which issues should the City focus on when enforcing animal rules? (check up to three)
13.If you’ve had a concern about animals in your neighborhood, how was it handled?
Communication and Engagement
14.How would you like to receive updates about animal regulations or future meetings?
15.Would you be interested in attending a short community open house to talk about animal-keeping rules?
Final Thoughts
16.Please share any comments or experiences related to keeping animals in Columbus:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your feedback will help the City of Columbus decide whether to keep the current animal rules as they are, clarify them for easier understanding, or make small adjustments where needed.