Lima's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Lima, Ohio, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

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.

Key details: Code section: Lima C.O. 648.20. Quiet hours: No fixed clock hours. Standard: Noise disturbance / nuisance. First fine: $100. Enforcement: Police, Code Enforcement.

First conviction $100; second within one year $250; third or subsequent within one year $500. No part of the fine may be suspended or reduced.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Lima Codified Ordinance 648.20 prohibits operating radios, loudspeakers, and sound-reproduction devices so as to create a noise disturbance across a property boundary, in or about a vehicle, or in a public place. Fines run from $100 to $500.

Key details: Code section: Lima C.O. 648.20. Covers: Radios, loudspeakers, stereos. Decibel limit: None; nuisance test. Permit exemption: Special City permit. Max fine: $500.

$100 first conviction; $250 second within one year; $500 third or subsequent within one year. No portion of the fine may be suspended or reduced.

Vehicle Noise

Loud car stereos are cited under Lima Ordinance 648.20. Exhaust and muffler noise is controlled by Ohio Revised Code 4513.22, which requires every vehicle and motorcycle to have a working muffler preventing excessive or unusual noise.

Key details: Car stereo rule: Lima C.O. 648.20. Muffler/exhaust rule: ORC 4513.22. Cutouts/bypass: Prohibited on highways. Exhaust penalty: Minor misdemeanor. Enforcement: Lima Police.

648.20 stereo violations: $100/$250/$500. ORC 4513.22 muffler violations are a minor misdemeanor, up to $150 first offense, escalating with repeats.

Barking Dogs

Persistent barking or animal noise that disturbs neighbors is enforceable in Lima as a 'noise disturbance' under Codified Ordinance 648.20. Ohio Revised Code 955.22 separately requires owners to keep dogs under reasonable control.

Key details: City rule: Lima C.O. 648.20. State dog law: ORC 955.22. Standard: Unreasonable disturbance. Dog authority: Allen County Dog Warden. First fine: $100.

Noise-disturbance fines under 648.20 are $100/$250/$500 for first/second/third convictions within a year. ORC 955.22 confinement violations are a minor misdemeanor escalating with repeat offenses.

The Bottom Line

Lima's noise ordinances 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.