Parking Rules in Lima, OH

If you live in Lima or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lima has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

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.

Key details: Ordinance: Lima C.O. 1806.14. Rear yard limit: One recreational vehicle. Hard surface cap: 400 square feet max. Lawn/treelawn parking: Prohibited. Extra-space option: Off-Street Parking Permit.

Enforced as a property maintenance/parking violation under Part 18; notice to remove is issued, with continued citations until compliance.

Driveway Rules

In Lima, if a driveway exists, residential vehicles must be parked on it, not on the lawn. Codified Ordinance 1806.14 requires parking on an approved hard surface and prohibits parking on the front lawn or treelawn.

Key details: Ordinance: Lima C.O. 1806.14. If driveway exists: Park on driveway only. Surface: Approved hard surface. Front/side hard surface: 10 ft from property line. Lawn parking: Prohibited.

Parking off the driveway on grass is a property maintenance violation under Part 18; a notice to remove is issued with escalating citations.

Abandoned Vehicles

Lima declares junk motor vehicles on private property a public nuisance under Codified Ordinance 1806.16. Ohio law (ORC 4513.63) also treats vehicles left 48 hours or longer on public or private property as abandoned junk.

Key details: City ordinance: Lima C.O. 1806.16. State law: ORC 4513.63. Abandoned threshold: 48 hours or longer. Appeal window: 5 days, $25 fee. Status: Declared public nuisance.

Nuisance junk vehicles draw a notice to remove; noncompliance leads to citations, abatement and possible towing. State-abandoned vehicles may be towed and sold.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Lima limits large-vehicle storage at homes. Under Codified Ordinance 1806.14, only one oversized recreational or commercial vehicle may sit in a residential rear yard, on an approved hard surface. Chapter 440 covers heavy-vehicle operation on streets.

Key details: Ordinance: Lima C.O. 1806.14 / Ch. 440. Rear-yard limit: One oversized vehicle. Surface: Approved hard surface. Lawn storage: Prohibited. Relief: Off-Street Parking Permit.

Oversized vehicles stored contrary to Section 1806.14 draw a property maintenance notice to remove and escalating citations until compliance.

The Bottom Line

Lima's parking 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.

All of the above reflects Lima's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.