Backyard smokers are allowed in Lima. Like grills, a smoker is treated as cooking equipment rather than 'open burning,' so it is exempt from the bonfire/yard-waste restrictions. Use it responsibly - the fire code official can still order any smoke that becomes a hazard or nuisance to stop.
Lima's Open Burning Guidelines exclude a barbecue grill or barbecue pit from the definition of open burning, and smokers fall in the same cooking-equipment category, so operating a wood, pellet, charcoal, or propane smoker at home is permitted. There is no Lima ordinance banning smokers or setting a specific setback for them, but general fire-safety and nuisance principles apply: keep the unit a safe distance from your house and fences, never leave it unattended near combustibles, and manage the smoke so it does not create a hazard or persistent nuisance to neighbors. Under fire-code prohibited-open-burning language, the fire code official may order extinguishment of smoke or fires that become offensive or hazardous.
Excessive or hazardous smoke can be ordered stopped by the fire code official and may be cited as a nuisance. Otherwise no smoker-specific penalty exists in Lima.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lima, OH
Lima has no ordinance banning backyard composting. A tidy compost pile is allowed, but rotting, odorous, or rubbish-strewn accumulations can be cited as a nu...
Lima, OH
Lima has no ordinance specifically permitting or banning artificial turf in residential yards. It is not covered by the weed/grass height rules, but front-ya...
Lima, OH
Lima has no ordinance banning native or naturalized landscaping. Cultivated flowers and gardens are exempt from the weed rules, but any planting must still m...
Lima, OH
Lima has no ordinance banning or licensing residential rain barrels. Ohio law allows private rainwater collection; the state plumbing code governs any indoor...
Lima, OH
Lima has no standing lawn-watering ban or odd/even schedule. The City's Utilities Department draws on roughly 15 billion gallons of reservoir storage, so out...
Lima, OH
Beyond the 8-inch height limit, Lima requires premises free of all noxious or harmful weeds and vines. The Code Official orders cutting within five days; Ohi...
See how Lima's smoker rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.