Moving to Lima, OH? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Lima, Ohio may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 46 tracked ordinances across 16 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Fence Regulations

Height Limits: Lima requires every fence to be structurally sound, installed workmanlike from standard fence materials acceptable to the City Engineer, attractively finished on both sides, and kept in good condition, with the ground to the property line maintained under Ordinance 1262.02(E)..

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate), Fence Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Lima for details.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Lima has no fixed clock-based quiet hours. Instead, Codified Ordinance 648.20 bans any 'noise disturbance' that crosses a property boundary at any hour, day or night, judged by whether it disturbs a person of ordinary sensibilities..

Also covered: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (moderate), Vehicle Noise (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Lima for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Lima limits residential RV, trailer and watercraft parking. Recreational vehicles and boats must sit on an approved hard surface or in the rear yard, not on lawns or the treelawn strip, under Codified Ordinance 1806.14..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Commercial & Oversized Vehicles (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Lima for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Short-Term Rental Permits: Lima requires every owner of a non-owner-occupied housing unit inside the city to obtain and maintain a Rental Housing Unit Registration Certificate under Codified Ordinances Chapter 872, whether or not the unit is currently rented. Registration is free and was phased in during 2024-2025.

Also covered: Night Caps (permissive), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Lima for details.

Fire Regulations

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires: Recreational fires (campfires) are allowed in Lima. Fuel must be clean, seasoned firewood stacked no larger than 2 feet high by 3 feet wide, and the fire must sit at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material.

Also covered: Outdoor Burning (moderate), Fireworks (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Lima for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: In Lima's residential districts the front building line sits back from the street a distance equal to twenty percent of lot depth, but not less than thirty feet, and rear yards must be at least fifteen percent of lot depth, under Codified Ordinances 1248.08 and 1248.06..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Lima for details.

Animal Ordinances

Dog Leash Laws: Lima requires every dog off its owner's property to be on a leash no greater than 20 feet in public places or on another person's premises. Loose dogs are cited under the running-at-large rule..

Also covered: Cat Rules (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Breed Restrictions (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Lima for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Barbecue grilling is allowed in Lima. Grills and barbecue pits are exempt from the open-burning rules (they are not 'open burning').

Landscaping Rules

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..

Also covered: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate), Native Plants (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Lima for details.

Home Business

Home Daycare: In-home child care in Lima is licensed by the state under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5104, administered by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). A 'Type B' family child care home may care for one to seven children at a time in the provider's residence, with no more.

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (permissive). See the full home business guide for Lima for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Lima can post, close and secure vacant or unsecured structures as public nuisances. Chronically neglected vacant parcels are placed on a Specified Parcel List for seasonal cutting, junk removal and boarding-up, with costs assessed to the owner..

Also covered: Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Lima for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: Lima's Property Maintenance Code bars storing garbage, brush, discarded articles and junk outside on any premises except where zoning allows. Brush and branch clippings for collection must be bundled to four feet, and bulk pickup is arranged through the city Utilities Department..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Illegal Dumping (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Lima for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Lima's public parks are open to the public between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Accessory Structures

Shed & Carport Rules: In Lima, an accessory building under 240 square feet must sit in the rear yard and be at least five feet from the side and rear lot lines. Larger accessory buildings and garages follow the garage standards in Chapter 1262..

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Lima's zoning code has no separate garage-sale-sign section. In residential districts, temporary signs such as 'For sale,' 'For lease' and 'For rent' are limited to twelve square feet or less, and the city prohibits placing signs in the public right-of-way..

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety Requirements: Lima requires a barrier at least 48 inches above grade around any pool over 24 inches deep, with a maximum 2-inch gap at the ground. The City adopts CABO Appendix F for barrier design: openings cannot pass a 4-inch sphere, chain-link mesh is limited to 1¼ inches, and access gates.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Lima for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Lima. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.