7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Franklin County, Ohio.
Verified from official government sources
Franklin County unincorporated areas permit poultry and livestock on agricultural-zoned parcels without restriction per ORC §519.21. Residential-zoned properties are subject to township-level restrictions which vary by township.
Ohio ORC 955.22 requires all dogs in Franklin County to be confined on the owner's premises, securely tethered, or on a leash under reasonable control when off-premises. Franklin County Animal Control and the Sheriff enforce the running-at-large statute countywide.
Franklin County has no breed-specific legislation. Ohio repealed statewide pit-bull targeting in 2012 (HB 14), replacing it with a behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog framework under ORC 955.11. Individual dogs are designated after incidents, not by breed.
ORC 955.11
Section 955.11 | Transfer of ownership. (B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, prior to the transfer of ownership or possession of a dog, upon the buyer's or other transferee's request, the seller or other transferor of the dog shall give to the person a written notice relative to the behavior and propensities of the dog. (C) Within ten days after the transfer of ownership or p...
Beekeeping in unincorporated Franklin County is allowed subject to Ohio Department of Agriculture registration under ORC 909.02. All hives must be registered annually with the State Apiarist regardless of hive count. Township zoning may impose setbacks.
Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animal Act (ORC 935) prohibits private ownership of big cats, bears, non-human primates, large constrictor snakes, crocodilians, and similar species throughout Franklin County. The 2012 law followed the Zanesville incident and is enforced by ODA.
ORC Chapter 935 (Dangerous Wild Animals)
Section 935.02 | Possession of dangerous wild animal prohibited. No person shall possess a dangerous wild animal on or after January 1, 2014. (B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (G)(1) and (2) of section 935.06 of the Revised Code, 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. (2) Notw...
Intentionally feeding deer and waterfowl is prohibited or restricted by Ohio Division of Wildlife regulations. OAC 1501:31-15-11 bans deer feeding in counties with chronic wasting disease surveillance zones and during the hunting season. Feeding bears, coyotes, and raccoons is discouraged and can trigger nuisance-attractant enforcement.
Franklin County has no countywide cap on the number of pets per household. Most townships limit residential households to 3 to 5 dogs over 3 months of age before a kennel license is required under ORC 955.04.
4 cities in Franklin County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Franklin County Ordinance Hub →