Lima's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Lima, Ohio, there are 10 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.

Chickens & Livestock

Lima bans farm animals and fowl, including backyard chickens, unless you own at least two acres of land where they are kept. Most city lots are far below that, so chickens are effectively prohibited.

Key details: Land minimum: Two acres. City section: Lima CO 618.04. Backyard chickens: Effectively prohibited. Nuisance backstop: Lima CO 618.09. Waiver permit: None available.

Keeping fowl or livestock without the two-acre minimum is a code violation abatable by Code Enforcement; running-at-large fowl are a minor misdemeanor with owner liability for damages 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).

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.

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).

Beekeeping

Lima's Codified Ordinances set no specific beekeeping or hive-count rule. Hives are governed by the general nuisance provision barring animals kept so as to menace public health or safety, plus Ohio's state apiary registration law.

Key details: City hive limit: None specified. Governing city rule: Nuisance (Lima CO 618.09). State registration: ORC Chapter 909. Registers with: Ohio Dept. of Agriculture. Check first: Lima Building and Zoning.

There is no beekeeping-specific fine; problem hives are abated as a public nuisance under 618.09/618.99. Failure to register an apiary is enforced by the state under ORC Chapter 909.

Wildlife Feeding

Lima's Codified Ordinances contain no dedicated wildlife-feeding ban. Feeding that draws pests or creates unsanitary conditions is instead controlled through the general animal-nuisance provision and property-maintenance nuisance rules.

Key details: Feeding ban: None specified in city code. Governing city rule: Nuisance (Lima CO 618.09). Trigger: Pests, odors, unsanitary conditions. State authority: Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR). Contact: Lima Code Enforcement.

No feeding-specific fine exists; conditions attracting pests or creating odors are abated as a nuisance under 618.09/618.99 and property-maintenance code. State wildlife rules are enforced by ODNR.

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.

Animal Hoarding

Lima has no hoarding-specific ordinance, but keeping many animals in odor or unsanitary conditions is barred by the general animal-nuisance rule, and Ohio's animal-cruelty statute criminalizes depriving animals of adequate care.

Key details: Hoarding-specific rule: None; nuisance applies. Governing city rule: Lima CO 618.09. State cruelty law: ORC 959.13. Possible outcome: Impoundment, charges. Report to: Code Enforcement / humane society.

Nuisance conditions are abated under 618.09/618.99 and property-maintenance code; cruelty or neglect from hoarding is prosecuted under ORC 959.13, which can lead to animal seizure and criminal penalties.

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.