City officials say the roof coming off a downtown Lima motel Wednesday morning didn't have to happen.
Public works director, Howard Elstro, says the roof wasn't permitted. The Lima Allen County Building Department searched through records and didn't find where the Royal Inn had been issued a permit and no plans had been submitted for a new roof for the building. Elstro says this incident is a prime example of why building codes are in place. They are enforced to protect the health and safety of occupants and those around the structure.
The building owner has two options. They can apply for a permit to demolish the structure or get a design professional to submit plans for commercial renovation of the facility to comply with building codes.
