Ohio law limits township and county zoning authority over agricultural uses, preserving farming activities on land used primarily for agriculture.
Under ORC 519.21 for townships and ORC 303.21 for counties, zoning authorities cannot prohibit the use of land for agricultural purposes, including the construction of buildings used for agriculture, on lots greater than five acres or in unplatted areas. The exemption protects farms from local zoning that would restrict crop production, animal husbandry, and similar uses. Some restrictions still apply to platted subdivisions and lots smaller than five acres. Agritourism activities receive additional protection under ORC 901.80 with limited civil immunity.
Local zoning enforcement against protected agricultural uses can be enjoined and may result in attorney-fee awards.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lucas County, OH
Home composting is legal in Lucas County. Ohio exempts small residential compost from solid-waste licensing, and Toledo permits backyard composting as an acc...
Lucas County, OH
Lucas County has no rule on artificial turf. Whether you can install synthetic grass depends on your city or township. Toledo has no turf ban, but stormwater...
Lucas County, OH
Native and pollinator plantings are allowed in Lucas County — there's no county rule requiring turf. But a Toledo lawn still can't exceed 8 inches or harbor ...
Lucas County, OH
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Lucas County. Ohio broadly allows collecting rain in rain barrels and cisterns, and neither the county nor Toledo bans it. I...
Lucas County, OH
Lucas County and Toledo have no standing odd/even lawn-watering restrictions. Sitting on Lake Erie, the region isn't water-scarce, so outdoor watering is nor...
Lucas County, OH
Ohio law requires noxious weeds to be destroyed, and Toledo enforces it under a municipal ordinance. Lucas County itself sets no citywide weed rule for yards...
See how Sylvania's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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