LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Lima City Council members are addressing residents’ concerns about squatters and people living in recreational vehicles within city limits.
The Neighborhood Concerns Committee heard from residents who say squatters are occupying vacant homes and that campers and RVs are being used as residences—often parked in backyards or on city streets.
According to the city’s law department, there are ordinances in place to handle both issues. City officials say they are currently working to remove a known squatter from a home and are investigating other cases. Earlier this year, council passed an ordinance prohibiting people from living in RVs within the city limits. Now, council want to see that law enforced.
“The constituents in my ward are having a hard time understanding how people are able to do these types of things with their campers, trailers, mobile homes, and even the squatter issue,” said Thomas Jones, Lima’s 5th Ward Councilman. “They’re very unhappy with it, and we deal with these calls every day. It’s important everyone knows we are trying to handle these situations using every tool available to the city.”
The committee voted to move the issue to the full council for further discussion with the code enforcement department about how to better address the ongoing nuisance concerns.
