How Lima Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide
Lima maintains 46 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Lima falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Tree Trimming
Branches of shade or ornamental trees on private property may not grow within 16 feet of the street grade. Lower-hanging branches are declared a nuisance, and the abutting owner must remove them.
Key details: Clearance over streets: 16 feet. Code section: Lima PMC 1806.13. Applies to: Shade/ornamental trees on private land. Status of low branches: Declared a nuisance. Responsible party: Abutting lot owner.
Low branches are a declared nuisance; the abutting owner must remove them or the City abates the nuisance according to law and may pursue cost recovery.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
No permit is needed to remove a healthy tree on your own private property. Planting or removing trees in the public right-of-way requires City Engineer approval under Chapter 1028, and dead/diseased trees must be removed on notice.
Key details: Private healthy tree: No permit required. Right-of-way/street trees: City Engineer permit, Ch. 1028. Permit cost: No charge. Dead/diseased private tree: Remove in 60 days. Authority: City Engineer / Code Official.
Unauthorized planting or work on right-of-way trees violates Chapter 1028; ignoring a Section 1806.18 removal notice for a hazardous tree lets the City abate and recover costs.
Native Plants
Lima has no ordinance banning native or naturalized landscaping. Cultivated flowers and gardens are exempt from the weed rules, but any planting must still meet the 8-inch height and noxious-weed limits.
Key details: Native-plant ban: None. Cultivated gardens: Exempt from weed rule. Code definition: Lima PMC 1802 (Weeds). Height limit still applies: 8 inches, Section 1806.09. Noxious species: Still prohibited.
A native bed is not itself a violation, but unmanaged overgrowth exceeding 8 inches or containing noxious weeds can be cited under Sections 1806.09 and 1806.10.
Weed Ordinances
In Lima, owners and occupants must keep their premises free of grass and weeds over eight inches tall, and free of all noxious or harmful weeds and vines. After a written notice, weeds must be cut within five days or the City cuts them and bills the owner.
Key details: Max grass/weed height: 8 inches. Height rule: PMC 1806.09. Time to cut after notice: 5 days. Noxious weeds banned: Entirely (1806.09(B)). City-cutting fee: $205 + costs.
Costs of city cutting plus $205 administrative fee assessed to the property; PMC misdemeanor penalties (up to $1,000) and a $350 civil penalty may also apply. Cutting does not bar prosecution.
Composting
Lima has no ordinance banning backyard composting. A tidy compost pile is allowed, but rotting, odorous, or rubbish-strewn accumulations can be cited as a nuisance under the Property Maintenance Code.
Key details: Composting ban: None. Must stay: Clean, safe, sanitary (1806.01). Nuisance risk: Odor, vermin, rubbish spread. Related rules: Gen. Offenses Chapter 660. Best practice: Enclosed bin, no meat scraps.
A nuisance compost pile (odor, vermin, rubbish spread) can be cited under Property Maintenance Code sanitation rules and Chapter 660 nuisance provisions, with abatement and cost recovery.
The Bottom Line
Lima's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lima is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Lima's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.