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Lima, OH Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Lima, OH, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Governing law
Lima Codified Ordinances Ch. 872 (adopted Jan 2024)
Who must register
Owners of non-owner-occupied housing units
Fee
No fee charged for registration
Phase-in deadlines
10+ units 6/30/24; 5-9 12/31/24; 1-4 6/30/25
Update window
Within 30 days of any change

Summary

Lima requires every owner of a non-owner-occupied housing unit inside the city to obtain and maintain a Rental Housing Unit Registration Certificate under Codified Ordinances Chapter 872, whether or not the unit is currently rented. Registration is free and was phased in during 2024-2025. This is the closest thing to

There shall be no fee charged to the property owner for the registration.

View official code

Full Breakdown

There is no short-term-rental-only registry in Lima, but Chapter 872 (Rental Housing Registration; Inspections), adopted by City Council in January 2024, requires owners of housing units that are not owner-occupied to register each unit with the City's Director. The City's official page states an owner must register 'regardless of whether the housing unit is actually rented or offered for rent at that time,' which sweeps in properties used for short-term rental. Registration was phased by portfolio size: owners of 10 or more units by June 30, 2024; 5 to 9 units by December 31, 2024; and 1 to 4 units by June 30, 2025.

Violations & Fines

Failing to register a non-owner-occupied unit, or failing to keep the registration current, violates Chapter 872 and is enforceable by the City's Department of Community Development / Code Enforcement, which can pursue code-enforcement remedies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register a short-term rental in Lima?
Lima has no STR-only registry, but a non-owner-occupied home used for short-term rental must be registered under Chapter 872. Submit a Rental Housing Unit Registration form to the City for each unit. There is no fee, and you must update
Is Lima's rental registration free?
Yes. The City of Lima states there is no fee charged to the property owner for the Rental Housing Unit Registration. Every non-owner-occupied unit must be registered even if it is not currently rented, under the phased deadlines that ran

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lima

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsNight CapsFew RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Lima rules

How Lima compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Lima to another location·View the Ohio short-term rentals overview

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