Animal Ordinances in Elyria, OH (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Elyria, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, § 505.01(b) bars the owner or keeper of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, llamas, alpacas or poultry from letting them run at large on a street or unenclosed land. Keeping any animal or fowl so that odors or unsanitary conditions threaten public health is separately prohibited.
Elyria, Ohio Livestock and Poultry Keeping Rules
Some RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances § 505.01
(b) No person, who is the owner or keeper of horses, mules, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, llamas, alpacas, or poultry, shall permit them to run at large in the public road, highway, street, lane, or alley, or upon unenclosed land, or cause the animals to be herded, kept, or detained for the purpose of grazing on premises other than those owned or lawfully occupied by the owner or keeper o...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, § 505.01(d) requires every dog owner, keeper or harborer to keep the dog confined or restrained on the premises and under a person's reasonable control. A female dog in heat must be on a leash off the premises. First offenses carry a fine of $25 to $100.
Elyria, Ohio Dog Leash and Restraint Requirements
Some RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances § 505.01
(c) No owner, keeper or harborer of any female dog shall permit it to go beyond the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer at any time the dog is in heat unless the dog is properly in leash. (d) Except when a dog is lawfully engaged in hunting and accompanied by the owner, keeper, harborer, or handler of the dog, no owner, keeper or harborer of any dog shall fail at any time to do either of ...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, a dog is labeled dangerous or vicious by what it has done, not by its breed: Codified Ordinances § 505.01 names no breed. A dangerous dog must be locked in a covered pen or fenced yard at home, and an owner who contests the label has ten days to request a court hearing.
Elyria, Ohio Dangerous Dog Rules and Breed Question
Significant RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances § 505.01
(1) “Dangerous dog.” A. A dog that, without provocation, and subject to division B. of this definition, has done any of the following: 1. Caused injury, other than killing or serious injury, to any person; 2. Killed another dog; 3. Been the subject of a third or subsequent violation of Ohio R.C. 955.22(C) or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance. ... (e) Except when a dangerous dog i...
Wildlife Feeding
The City of Elyria, Ohio does not ban feeding birds or animals in its parks outright. Codified Ordinances § 955.06(c)(2) prohibits giving or offering any animal or bird tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances. A violation of Chapter 955 carries a fine of up to $200.
Elyria Park Ban on Feeding Animals Harmful Substances
Light RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances § 955.06(c)(2)
955.06 PARK PROPERTY REGULATIONS. ... No person in a park shall, except by the authority of public officers having charge of such park, do any of the following: ... (c) Wild Animals, Birds, Etc. ... (2) Feeding. Give or offer or attempt to give to any animal or bird any tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances.
Cat Rules
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, the Codified Ordinances reach cats through § 505.10: every owner or harborer must have a cat vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and any bite must be reported to the Health Officer within twenty-four hours. The dog registration and tag sections, §§ 505.03 and 505.035, do not cover cats.
Elyria, Ohio Cat Rabies Vaccination and Bite Rules
Light RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances § 505.10
(a) No person who is an owner or harborer of a dog, cat or any other animal which is capable of contracting rabies, and for which a rabies vaccination is available, shall fail to have such dog, cat or other animal vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. (b) Whenever any person is bitten by a dog or other animal, a report of such bite shall be made to the Health Officer within twenty-four hours. ...
Microchipping
The City of Elyria, Ohio has no blanket microchip mandate for every dog. Section 505.15(b) requires a person barred from certain dog ownership after a felony conviction to microchip for permanent identification any dog the person owns, possesses or has custody of. A violation is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Elyria, OH Dog Microchip Requirement for Felons
Some RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances § 505.15(b)
(b) A person described in division (a) of this section shall microchip for permanent identification any dog owned, possessed by, or in the custody of the person. ... (d) Whoever violates division (a) or (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, a veterinarian office or animal hospital is a defined use under § 1125.110 and is a principally permitted use in the B-G Business-General District under § 1160.02. Under § 1123.05, any use not listed as permitted in a district is prohibited there. Zoning violations are misdemeanors under § 1127.99.
Elyria, OH: Veterinary Office Zoning
Some RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances §§ 1123.05, 1125.110, 1160.02
1123.05 PERMITTED/PROHIBITED USES. ... Any use not permitted as a principally permitted use, a permitted accessory use or a conditionally permitted use in any zoning district shall be prohibited in that zoning district. ... 1125.110 VETERINARIAN OFFICE/ANIMAL HOSPITAL. ... "Veterinarian office/animal hospital" ... means a building used for the medical treatment, housing or boarding of domestic ...
Bird Protection
In City of Elyria parks, Codified Ordinances § 955.06(c)(1) bars anyone from hunting, molesting, harming, frightening, killing, trapping, chasing, teasing or shooting at any bird, and from possessing a bird's eggs, nest or young. Only officers in charge of the park can authorize an exception. The fine is up to $200.
Elyria Park Rules Protecting Birds, Nests and Eggs
Significant RestrictionsElyria Codified Ordinances § 955.06(c)(1)
955.06 PARK PROPERTY REGULATIONS. ... No person in a park shall, except by the authority of public officers having charge of such park, do any of the following: ... (c) Wild Animals, Birds, Etc. (1) Hunting. Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the egg...
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