Animal Ordinances in Stark County, OH (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Stark County, Ohio.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Stark County itself does not zone for backyard livestock; your township (under ORC Chapter 519) or city sets the rules. In Canton, goats and horses must be housed set distances from any dwelling under Codified Ordinance 505.08.
Keeping Chickens & Farm Animals in Stark County
Some RestrictionsCanton Cod. Ord. 505.08
The owner or harborer of any goat shall not house the same within 100 feet of the nearest dwelling or residence and shall keep such goat tethered so that it cannot roam within 100 feet... The owner or harborer of any pony or horse shall not house it within seventy-five feet of the nearest dwelling.
Dog Leash Laws
Ohio law requires every dog to be physically confined or restrained on the owner's premises, or kept under a person's reasonable control when off it. The Stark County Dog Warden enforces this countywide; Canton adds its own leash rules.
Dog Leash & Running-at-Large Law in Stark County
Some RestrictionsORC 955.22(C)
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 escape; (2) Keep the dog under the reasonable control of some person.
Breed Restrictions
No. Ohio abolished breed-specific 'pit bull' designations in 2012. A dog is classified as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious under ORC 955.11 based on its behavior, not its breed. Stark County and Canton follow this behavior-based standard.
Are Any Dog Breeds Banned in Stark County?
Some RestrictionsORC 955.11(A)
"Nuisance dog" means a dog that without provocation and while off the premises of its owner, keeper, or harborer has chased or approached a person in either a menacing fashion or an apparent attitude of attack or has attempted to bite or otherwise endanger any person.
Exotic Pets
Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animal Act (ORC Chapter 935) bans private ownership of big cats, bears, primates, and large constrictors without a state permit. In Canton, Codified Ordinance 505.13 presumes venomous snakes and apes to be dangerous animals.
Exotic & Dangerous Wild Animals in Stark County
Some RestrictionsCanton Cod. Ord. 505.13
There is an irrebuttable presumption that the following animals are dangerous when kept within the City of Canton: all crotalid, elapid and venomous colubroid snakes; apes such as gibbons, gorillas, orangutans, and siamangs.
Pet Limits
Stark County sets no countywide pet limit, but the county seat does: Canton Codified Ordinance 505.14 caps a household at a total of five dogs or cats, in any combination, over four months of age. Other cities and townships set their own limits.
How Many Pets Can You Have in Stark County?
Some RestrictionsCanton Cod. Ord. 505.14
A person may not keep or harbor in or about any dwelling unit or structure a total of more than five dogs or cats, in any combination, over four months of age, except as provided in Section 505.15.
All Stark County ordinances
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