Lima, OH Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Height in Lima is governed by the Height District overlay in Chapter 1258 (Sections 1258.01 and 1258.02, cross-referenced from the residential district rules in Section 1248.01), which caps building height by district and lists exceptions for features like chimneys, spires and mechanical penthouses. Section 1248.06 ties bulk to height by requiring, for any building more than two and one-half stories tall, a rear yard at least one-half the building's height. Detached accessory buildings are limited in size and placement under Section 1248.11 (under 240 sq ft kept to the rear yard; larger structures treated as garages under Section 1262.01). Confirm the exact district height cap with the Building Department.