Animal Ordinances in Butler County, OH (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Butler County, Ohio.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Butler County has no countywide livestock ordinance. In unincorporated areas, township zoning (ORC Ch. 519) governs, but ORC 519.21 bars townships from prohibiting animal husbandry on parcels over five acres. Cities set their own limits.
Keeping Livestock in Butler County, Ohio
Some RestrictionsORC 519.21(A)
Such sections confer no power on any township zoning commission, board of township trustees, or board of zoning appeals to prohibit in a district zoned for agricultural, industrial, residential, or commercial uses, the use of any land for agriculture...
Dog Leash Laws
Ohio law (enforced by the Butler County Dog Warden) bars dogs from running at large. Owners must keep a dog confined on their premises by a leash, tether, fence, supervision, or secure enclosure, or under a person's reasonable control.
Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Rules in Butler County
Some RestrictionsORC 955.22(C)
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 the following: (1) Keep the dog physically confined or restrained upon the premises of the owner, keeper, or harborer by a leash, tether, adequate fence, supervision, or secure enclosure to prevent...
Exotic Pets
Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animal Act (ORC Ch. 935) bans private ownership of big cats, bears, primates, large constrictors, and venomous snakes statewide. Butler County adds no separate exotic-pet ordinance; the state prohibition controls.
Exotic and Dangerous Wild Animals in Butler County
Some RestrictionsORC 935.02
No person shall possess a dangerous wild animal on or after January 1, 2014. ... no person shall acquire, buy, sell, trade, or transfer possession or ownership of a dangerous wild animal on or after the effective date of this section.
Pet Limits
Ohio has no fixed 'hoarding' number, but keeping animals without adequate food, water, or shelter is a crime under ORC 959.13 and 959.131. Cases are prosecuted locally; the Butler County Dog Warden and humane society investigate.
Animal Hoarding and Cruelty Enforcement in Butler County
Some RestrictionsORC 959.131(D)
No person who confines or who is the custodian or caretaker of a companion animal shall negligently do any of the following: ... Deprive the companion animal of necessary sustenance, confine the companion animal without supplying it during the confinement with sufficient quantities of good, wholesome food and water, or impound or confine the companion animal without affording it, during the imp...
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