How Lima Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Lima maintains 101 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. 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.

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.

Key details: Vacant-structure closing: PMC 1816.04. Specified parcels: PMC 1804.39. Vacancy trigger: 30+ days unoccupied. Repeat-violation trigger: 2 abatements in 12 months. Annual assessment fee: $205.

Special-assessment administrative fee of $205 annually for specified-parcel status, plus publication and abatement costs, collectible on the tax duplicate. PMC misdemeanor penalties also apply.

Garage Sale Rules

Lima requires a garage/yard sale permit for residential properties in any zoning district. Residents may hold up to three sales per year, each lasting up to five days, with 60 days between sales. Online permits are free; the in-office permit fee is five dollars.

Key details: Permit required: Yes, all residential zones. Sales per year: Up to 3. Days per sale: Up to 5. Gap between sales: 60 days. Fee: Free online; $5 in office.

Holding a garage sale without the required permit, exceeding five days, or exceeding three sales per year violates city rules and may result in enforcement by the Public Works/Building & Zoning department.

Weeds & Overgrown Grass

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.

Property Blight

Lima's Property Maintenance Code requires all exterior property be kept clean, safe and sanitary. Premises littered with rubbish or garbage, or with uncontrolled weed growth, or in dilapidation are declared public nuisances subject to abatement by the Code Official.

Key details: Governing code: Property Maintenance Code, Part 18. Nuisance defined: PMC 1802.02(EE). Sanitation standard: PMC 1806.01. Enforcer: Community Development Code Official. Civil penalty: $350 ($50 if corrected).

Escalating misdemeanors: 1st offense M-4 up to $250, rising to M-1 up to $1,000. Civil penalty of $350 (reduced to $50 if corrected in time). Separate offense each day.

Trash Bin Storage

Under Lima's Property Maintenance Code, every property owner must supply approved covered containers for rubbish and garbage. Occupants must place waste in approved containers, and all exterior property must be kept free of any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.

Key details: Governing chapter: PMC Ch. 1812. Owner must supply: Approved covered containers. Garbage container: Leakproof, covered, outside. No accumulation: PMC 1812.01. Enforcer: Code Official.

PMC penalties apply (1804.99): misdemeanor fines from $250 up to $1,000 plus a $350 civil penalty; separate offense each day it continues after notice.

The Bottom Line

Lima's property maintenance 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.

This guide is based on Lima's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.