Animal Ordinances in Lima, OH (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Lima, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Keeping Chickens and Livestock in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsLima CO 618.04
No person shall keep or harbor or feed any farm animals or fowl within the corporate limits of the City unless such person is the owner, or has the legal right to possession, of a minimum of two acres of land on which the farm animals or fowl are kept or harbored.
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.
Dog Leash Rules in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsLima CO 618.09
No person being the owner, harborer, keeper, or having care, custody, or control of any dog shall permit it to be upon any public place or upon the premises of another without a leash no greater than 20 feet in length.
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.
Pit Bull Breed Restrictions in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsLima CO 618.08
No person who owns, harbors, keeps, or has the care, custody, or control of a pit bull dog shall permit such dog to go beyond the premises of such person unless such dog is securely leashed and muzzled or otherwise securely restrained and muzzled.
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.
Beekeeping Rules in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsExotic 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.
Exotic and Wild Pets in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsLima CO 618.04
No person shall keep or harbor any wild animal within the corporate limits of the City.
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.
Feeding Wildlife in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsLivestock
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.
Livestock Rules in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsLima CO 618.04
No person shall keep or harbor or feed any farm animals or fowl within the corporate limits of the City unless such person is the owner, or has the legal right to possession, of a minimum of two acres of land on which the farm animals or fowl are kept or harbored.
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.
Animal Hoarding Rules in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsPet 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.
How Many Pets You Can Own in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsORC 955.01
Every person who owns, keeps, or harbors a dog more than three months of age shall file... in the office of the county auditor of the county in which the dog is kept or harbored, an application for registration.
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.
Cat Rules in Lima, Ohio
Some RestrictionsLima CO 618.09
No person shall keep or harbor any animal or fowl in the City so as to create noxious or offensive odors or unsanitary conditions which are a menace to the health, comfort or safety of the public.
Looking for Allen County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lima city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Allen County →