Zoning Department

Contact Zoning Department

Shawnee Township Zoning Department

The Shawnee Township Zoning Department regulates land use, development, and building construction to ensure orderly community growth. It enforces zoning codes, issues permits for projects (e.g., fences, buildings), manages zoning maps, and enforces ordinances to protect your property values and neighborhood safety.

May 6th, 2026

Public Notice

The Shawnee Township Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at 7:00PM, at Shawnee Township Administration Building, 2530 Ft. Amanda Road, Lima, Ohio.

The Board will hear a variance request from the petitioner Limitless Electric on behalf of parcel owners Jacob & Lydia McKinley 3652 N. Amblewood Circle, Lima, Ohio 45806. The requested zoning variance is in a Residential 1 Historical Zoned District of Shawnee Township, regarding Zoning Resolution Article XXII – Solar Energy Systems – Section 2204.3 – c. i.  This meeting is open to the public and comments for or against will be accepted up to the date and time of the hearing.  Copies of the proposed cases are available at Shawnee Township Zoning Office M-F 9AM-1PM.

Comments for or against any of the cases can be submitted electronically up to 12 hours prior to the hearing by e-mail to…

zoning@shawneetownship.com

Contact Zoning Department

Shawnee Township Zoning Department

The Shawnee Township Zoning Department regulates land use, development, and building construction to ensure orderly community growth. It enforces zoning codes, issues permits for projects (e.g., fences, buildings), manages zoning maps, and enforces ordinances to protect your property values and neighborhood safety.

May 6th, 2026

Public Notice

The Shawnee Township Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at 7:00PM, at Shawnee Township Administration Building, 2530 Ft. Amanda Road, Lima, Ohio.

The Board will hear a variance request from the petitioner Limitless Electric on behalf of parcel owners Jacob & Lydia McKinley 3652 N. Amblewood Circle, Lima, Ohio 45806. The requested zoning variance is in a Residential 1 Historical Zoned District of Shawnee Township, regarding Zoning Resolution Article XXII – Solar Energy Systems – Section 2204.3 – c. i.  This meeting is open to the public and comments for or against will be accepted up to the date and time of the hearing.  Copies of the proposed cases are available at Shawnee Township Zoning Office M-F 9AM-1PM.

Comments for or against any of the cases can be submitted electronically up to 12 hours prior to the hearing by e-mail to…

zoning@shawneetownship.com

Shawnee Township Zoning Commission currently has four members who reside in the unincorporated area of Shawnee Township.

The commission, designated by the Board of Township Trustees, assists in the amendment, interpretation, administration, and enforcement of the Zoning Resolution. The Zoning Commission recommends approval or denial of requests for change of zoning and is responsible for the review and approval of Planned Unit Developments. The duties of the Commission are set forth in Section 519 of the Ohio Revised Code.

The Zoning Commission is in the process of completing revisions to the Shawnee Township Zoning Resolution. Some of the information that the Board is intently reviewing includes parking issues, sign and signage and conditional uses.

The Board of Zoning Appeals consists of five members who reside in the unincorporated area of Shawnee Township.

The purpose of the Zoning Board of Appeals is to hear and decide on variance requests, grant conditional zoning certificates for land use, and to revoke authorized variances or certificates for conditional use should violations occur. The Zoning Board of Appeals members are appointed by the Shawnee Township Board of Trustees and are governed by the Ohio Revised Code Section 519.

We are committed to solving issues in our community within the scope of our offices. When communication is initiated by a Shawnee Township Official, we want to hear from you and work with you to make our community better. Please reach out to our offices to address notices of violation within given time frames. We want to work with residents to make corrections of Code Violations, and avoid citations and other costly legal actions.

Code Enforcement Appeal Hearings are conducted by the Zoning Board of Appeals serving as the Code Enforcement Appeals Board. The purpose of a Code Enforcement Appeal Hearing is to allow property owners to refute a decision made by an administrative official when enforcing the zoning resolution.

A notice of appeal -stating the grounds for the appeal- must be filed within twenty (20) days of the issued notice of violation, resolution, or declaration being refuted. The appeal must be made to the issuing official with payment of the $500 hearing fee at the time of submission.

Forms

FAQs

A zoning permit is needed when a new structure (greater than 200 sf) is being built on a property, or there will be changes to the area of a building’s footprint. Permits are also required for pools, alteration of ponds or lakes, alternative energy systems, fences, PODS, as well as demolition and solicitation (door-to-door) sales activities. For specific details, consult Article VI: Section 601: Enforcement of the Shawnee Township Resolution.

General Construction Permit Applications are usually completed by your contractor, but the homeowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring their zoning permit is approved. Owners are responsible for determining the legal and proper location of the project they wish to construct.

Approval of an Accessory Building Permit Application hinges on following requirements in Article XVII: Section 1716: ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES of the Shawnee Township Resolution. Building location and size requirements (Article XIX: AREA AND BULK REQUIREMENTS: Table 1902) for sheds, barns, warehouses, etc. are different for residential, agricultural, business, and industrial zoned properties. Every property is unique and the shape, size, and zone will influence construction allowances. All completed permits require a detailed site plan with accurate measurements and cardinal North, a material list, a rendering of the proposed project, and payment at the time of submission for approval.

Article VI: Section 602: CONTENTS OF APPLICATION FOR ZONING PERMIT – A legal survey (including title/deed research) is highly recommended to be certain of your property lines, easements, and possible legal restrictions. All completed permits require a detailed site plan with accurate measurements and cardinal north, a material list, a rendering of the proposed project, and payment at the time of submission for approval. *Informational illustrations A, B, and C can give helpful guidance about placement of buildings and fences.

Approval of a Fence Permit Application hinges on following requirements in Article XVII: Section 1711: FENCE REGULATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS of the Shawnee Township Resolution.

Article VI: Section 602: CONTENTS OF APPLICATION FOR ZONING PERMIT – A legal survey (including title/deed research) is highly recommended to be certain of your property lines, easements, and possible legal restrictions. All completed permits require a detailed site plan with accurate measurements and cardinal north, a material list, a rendering of the proposed project, and payment at the time of submission for approval. *Informational illustrations A, B, and C can give helpful guidance about placement of buildings and fences.

It is the goal of Shawnee Township to protect public health, prevent deterioration, and preserve presentable appearances in a well-maintained community. To collectively meet this goal, each resident is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their property. It is important to use our residences in a way that respects the quality of life of all members of our neighborhoods. Article XXV: EXTERIOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE of the Shawnee Township Resolution outlines the minimum expectations of a multitude of maintenance and quality-of-life subjects.

Article XXV: Section 2532: EXTERIOR PROPERTY AND STRUCTURAL EXTERIORS This section regulates the parking and storage of personal vehicles on residential properties. Article XVII: Section 1701: PARKING OF BOATS, TRAILERS, AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES This section regulates the parking and storage of recreational vehicles on residential properties. Article XVII: Section 1705: PARKING OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS This section covers regulations for vehicles that are not typically considered residential.

It is the car and property owner’s responsibility to manage vehicles on their property. Personal car repair and maintenance should be performed in a timely and discreet manner that does not become a matter of frustration for your neighbor. The accumulation of “junk” and “inoperable” vehicles is not what anyone wants for our community.