Lima's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Lima, Ohio, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Dog Leash Laws
Lima requires every dog off its owner's property to be on a leash no greater than 20 feet in public places or on another person's premises. Loose dogs are cited under the running-at-large rule.
Key details: Max leash length: 20 feet. City section: Lima CO 618.09. State backup: ORC 955.22. At-large offense: Minor misdemeanor. Owner liability: All damage caused.
Permitting a dog at large is generally a minor misdemeanor; owners are also liable for all damage the animal causes. Repeat or aggravated violations escalate under 618.99.
Cat Rules
Lima has no separate cat-licensing law, but cats are covered by the general animal regulations: they may not be kept so as to create offensive odors or unsanitary conditions, and any animal running at large on another's premises is a minor misdemeanor.
Key details: Cat license: Not required. Governing rule: Lima CO 618.09. At-large offense: Minor misdemeanor. Owner liability: All damage caused. Numeric cat cap: None specified.
Cats kept so as to create odor or sanitary nuisances are abatable under 618.09; an animal at large on another's premises is a minor misdemeanor with owner liability for damages (618.99).
Chickens & Livestock
Lima prohibits keeping farm animals or fowl inside the city unless the owner has at least two acres of land where they are kept. Cattle, horses, goats, pigs, and similar livestock are therefore barred on typical city lots.
Key details: Land minimum: Two acres. City section: Lima CO 618.04. Covers: Cattle, horses, goats, swine. Nuisance limit: Lima CO 618.09. At-large penalty: Minor misdemeanor + damages.
Keeping livestock without two acres is abatable by Code Enforcement; at-large livestock is a minor misdemeanor and the owner is liable for all damage caused (618.09, 618.99).
Breed Restrictions
Lima specifically regulates pit bulls: off the owner's premises they must be securely leashed (max 6 feet) and muzzled or otherwise restrained. Only one may be walked at a time, and breeding or selling them in the city is banned.
Key details: Breed regulated: Pit bull dogs. Off-premises rule: Leashed and muzzled. Max leash length: Six feet. Walking limit: One pit bull at a time. Breeding/sale: Prohibited in city.
Violations of the pit bull rules are prosecuted under Chapter 618 penalties (618.99); repeat or dangerous-dog violations carry escalating misdemeanor charges and can lead to impoundment.
Exotic Pets
Lima flatly prohibits keeping or harboring any wild animal within the city. Dangerous wild animals are separately banned statewide under Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animal Act, so exotic pets like big cats, primates, and large constrictors are not allowed.
Key details: Wild animals: Prohibited in city. City section: Lima CO 618.04. State ban: ORC Chapter 935. Covers: Big cats, primates, large snakes. Domestic pets: Allowed, per 618.09.
Harboring a prohibited wild animal is a Chapter 618 offense (618.99) and can trigger seizure; violations of the state dangerous-wild-animal law carry separate criminal penalties under ORC Chapter 935.
Pet Limits
Lima's Codified Ordinances set no fixed numeric cap on dogs or cats per household. Instead, ownership is limited by the nuisance rule barring animals kept so as to create offensive odors or unsanitary conditions, plus state dog licensing.
Key details: Numeric pet cap: None specified. Governing rule: Nuisance (Lima CO 618.09). Dog licensing: ORC 955.01, each dog. Licenses issued by: Allen County Auditor. Enforcement trigger: Odor, sanitation, noise.
No per-head fine exists, but keeping animals that create odor or unsanitary nuisances is abatable under 618.09/618.99; unlicensed dogs are a separate offense under ORC 955.21.
The Bottom Line
Lima's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lima is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Lima can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.