Animal Ordinances in Dayton, OH (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Dayton, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Dayton lets residents keep geese, ducks, chickens and other animals but bans letting them run loose in streets or public places, treating it as a nuisance dangerous to public health and safety.
Dayton Poultry Running-at-Large Rule
Light RestrictionsDayton R.C.G.O. § 91.20
No owner or custodian shall permit any cattle, horse, mule, swine, sheep, goat, geese, ducks, chickens or any other animal to run at large within the city. Herding such animal or tying it for grazing in any street or other public place shall be deemed running at large within the meaning of this section. To permit any such running at large is declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to public hea...
Dog Leash Laws
Dayton requires dogs off their owner's property to be on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet at all times, and separately bans leaving a dog unsecured on its own premises.
Dayton Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsDayton R.C.G.O. § 91.50(A)(1)-(2)
No person shall own, keep, possess, harbor, maintain, or have the care, custody, or control of a dog that:(1)Is at large within the city unless such dog is securely attached upon a leash not more than six feet in length held in the hand of a person in a manner which continuously controls the dog.(2)Is unsecured while on the premises of the owner.
Breed Restrictions
Dayton has no breed-specific dog law; instead it regulates by behavior, requiring any dog classified 'dangerous' under state law to stay secured and muzzled whenever it's in public.
Dayton Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsDayton R.C.G.O. § 91.53
(A)No person shall permit or cause a dangerous dog to be unsecured or at large, or to go unmuzzled in a public place, street, or alley.(B)Any animal found in violation of this section is subject to impoundment, and its owner is responsible for all costs associated with that impoundment. (R.C. § 955.28)
Beekeeping
Dayton's zoning code lets residents keep bees on lots as small as 3,000 square feet, with hive counts scaled to lot size and mandatory 10-foot setbacks from lot lines and dwellings.
Dayton Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsDayton R.C.G.O. § 150.420.1(A)(1)-(2) (Zoning Code)
No beehive shall be kept on a zoning lot less than 3,000 square feet in area. A maximum of two hives are permitted on zoning lots between 3,000 and 7,000 square feet in area. Additional hives may be added at the rate of one (1) hive for every additional 3,000 square feet of lot area. (2) Locations and Setbacks. No beehive shall be kept closer than ten (10) feet ...
Exotic Pets
Dayton bans keeping, possessing, or harboring an extensive list of exotic and wild animals, big cats, primates, bears, venomous snakes, alligators and more, as pets within city limits, with narrow institutional exceptions.
Dayton Exotic and Wild Animal Pet Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDayton R.C.G.O. § 91.07
(A)No person shall keep, possess, harbor, maintain, or have care, custody, or control of any of the following exotic or wild animals within the city:(1)Any animal listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened or endangered or listed on Ohio's Endangered Wildlife list;(2)Any animal, the keeping of which is prohibited by state or federal law;(3)Antelope, bison, deer, elk, and moose;(4)Bad...
Looking for Montgomery County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dayton city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Montgomery County →