Animal Ordinances in Youngstown, OH (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Youngstown, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Youngstown, Ohio, keeping chickens, other poultry or livestock is unlawful under § 505.17(d) unless the property owner obtains a Health Commissioner inspection and, for farming or agricultural use, a City Council-approved permit; the section defines 'livestock' and 'poultry' broadly and covers animals kept inside or outside a structure.
Youngstown Backyard Chicken and Livestock Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsYoungstown Codified Ordinances § 505.17
(b) "Livestock" includes, but is not limited to, horses, ponies, stallions, colts, geldings, mares, sheep, bees, rams, lambs, bulls, bullocks, steers, heifers, cows, calves, mules, jacks, jennets, burros, goats, kids, swine and any animals normally found in the wild state which are being kept for exhibition purposes or as private pets. (c) "Poultry" means all domesticated fowl and all game ...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Youngstown, Ohio, no dog may leave the owner's property unless restrained by a chain or leash no longer than six feet, under Youngstown Codified Ordinances § 505.01(b). At home, the dog must stay confined or secured by a collar and chain. Section 505.011 adds tethering limits, including a 60-minute cap on unattended tethers.
Youngstown Dog Leash and Tethering Law
Some RestrictionsYoungstown Codified Ordinances §§ 505.01, 505.011
(b) No owner, keeper or harborer of any dog shall permit it to go beyond the premises of the owner, keeper or harborer at any time, unless the dog is effectively restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length. At all other times, every dog must be kept either confined upon such premises or firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so that it cannot stray b...
Breed Restrictions
Youngstown repealed its breed-specific pit bull ban (former § 505.191) by Ordinance 15-371, so no breed is singled out in the City of Youngstown, Ohio. Instead, § 505.19 regulates any 'vicious dog' by conduct, defined as one with a propensity to attack or that has already attacked without provocation, and requires confinement or secure leashing.
Youngstown Vicious Dog Law, No Breed Ban
Few RestrictionsYoungstown Codified Ordinances § 505.19
(a) No person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog shall suffer or permit such animal to go unconfined on the premises of such person. (b) No person owning or harboring or having the care of a vicious dog shall suffer or permit such dog to go beyond the premises of such person unless such dog is securely leashed or otherwise securely restrained. (c) Definitions. ... (2)...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Youngstown, Ohio, § 505.17 bans keeping or maintaining a 'wild animal' inside or outside a structure, defining the term to include bears, big cats, primates, wolf hybrids, alligators and other listed species; violators face a first-degree misdemeanor and possible forfeiture of the animal.
Youngstown Ban on Keeping Wild or Exotic Animals
Heavy RestrictionsYoungstown Codified Ordinances § 505.17
(a) “Wild animal” means any living wild or potentially dangerous mammal, reptile, fowl or other vertebrate species which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or disposition and not customarily domesticated, and which because of its characteristics may constitute a danger to people or property if it escaped from secure quarters. A wild animal shall include, but not be limited...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Youngstown, Ohio, § 505.15(b) bars feeding pigeons in public places, streets and thoroughfares, specifically naming Federal Plaza West and Federal Plaza East, when the feeding creates a nuisance or a hazard to public health; each day the violation continues after being flagged counts as a separate offense.
Youngstown Public Pigeon-Feeding Restriction
Significant RestrictionsYoungstown Codified Ordinances § 505.15
(b) No person shall feed pigeons in public places or other dedicated streets and thoroughfares within the corporate limits, including Federal Plaza West between Phelps and the center line of Market and Wick Avenue and further from Federal Plaza East from the center line of Market Street west to Walnut Street so as to constitute a nuisance and/or to create a hazard to public health. ... (c) ...
Cat Rules
Youngstown does not license cats the way it licenses dogs, but § 505.14 requires every cat owner or harborer in the City of Youngstown, Ohio to have the cat vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated every twelve months (phenolized vaccine) or three years (avianized vaccine), with an exemption for cats under six months.
Youngstown Cat Rabies Vaccination Requirement
Some RestrictionsYoungstown Codified Ordinances § 505.14
(a) Required; Exceptions. Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever owns or harbors a dog, cat or ferret within the City shall have the dog, cat or ferret properly vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated within each succeeding twelve months thereafter, providing phenolized vaccine has been used, or each succeeding three years if avianized vaccine has been used. ... Dogs, cats o...
Bird Protection
In the City of Youngstown, Ohio, § 505.11 bans hunting, killing or attempting to kill any animal or fowl by firearm, bow and arrow, air rifle or any other means within the corporate limits, effectively protecting wild birds from being hunted anywhere inside the city.
Youngstown Ban on Hunting Birds and Fowl
Heavy RestrictionsYoungstown Codified Ordinances § 505.11
(a) No person shall hunt, kill or attempt to kill any animal or fowl by the use of firearms, bow and arrow, air rifle or any other means within the corporate limits of the Municipality. (b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.