Planning - Property Maintenance
What are the requirements regarding tall grass and weeds? (§ 97.10 and §97.16)
1. If an owner has more than five acres, the weeds overgrown grass, and deleterious growth within 50 feet of any street right of way line or residential use property line must be cut.
2. The owner of any parcel or lot of five acres or less shall cause to cut weeds, overgrown grass or deleterious growth on the entire lot or parcel.
3. Any person who is in charge of or who manages a lot with in the city limits shall not permit weeds, grass, or plants to grow above 10 inches (25.4 centimeters). This excludes trees, bushes, flowers, or other ornamental plants.
4. Each day the grass, weeds, or plants exceeds 10 inches is a separate offense, and the owner of the land is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
What is the removal process of weeds and other plant growth by owner?
1. The owner of any lot or parcel of land situated within the city limits, whether the same is improved or unimproved vacant or occupied, within five days written notice to do so, shall cut weeds, overgrown grass or deleterious growth upon such lot or parcel or upon any street, public or tree lawn abutting such lot or parcel.
2. The City Manager may serve said five-day notice upon an owner by:
(a) Personal service and making a return on such notice or
(b) Publishing a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, if the address of the owner in unknown or cannot
otherwise be served. The notice shall be applicable for the entire growing season April 15
through October 15.
3. In the event that the owner does not comply with the provisions of this section, the City Manager is authorized to enforce the provisions of this section and cut weeds, overgrown grass or deleterious growth. To do so, outside contractors are hired to cut the overgrown grass, weeds and plants.
4. The fee and expenses for the hired contractors is billed to the lot/property owner, with an attached fine to cover administrative and related costs.
JUNK VEHICLE. Any vehicle that is partially dismantled, wrecked, or extensively damaged or deteriorated, including but not limited to, vehicles with deflated, wrecked, or missing tires or rims; missing or wrecked body parts; broken or missing headlights, taillights or brake lights; broken, cracked or missing windows or windshields; or missing all or part of the motor or transmission; and is not capable of lawful operation on public roads at the time of any notice or citation issued by a city official. This definition does not include vehicles in the process of routine maintenance or repair, such as oil changes, cleaning, changing a flat tire, minor rust repairs, and similar activities. Additionally, licensed collector’s vehicles, as defined by R.C. § 4501.01(F), and licensed historical motor vehicles, as defined by R.C. § 4503.181, are not included within this definition.
Are Junk Vehicles allowed to be stored with in city limits? (§ 158.123)
1. No person in charge or control of any property within the city limits, whether
it be owner, tenant, occupant, or lessee, shall allow any junk vehicle to remain on property outside of a completely enclosed building.
2. No business shall be conducted in connection with any parked or stored junk vehicle except authorized junkyards, scrap metal processing facilities, and automobile repair facilities.
3. No junk vehicle shall remain stored or parked in violation of this section after receipt of a notice.
What are the requirements for maintenance on a property? (§ 153.23)
1. Exterior property areas have to remain free from the accumulation of rubbish or garbage except in authorized containers or authorized storage areas.
2. All properties shall be graded and maintained to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water unless it is part of a storm water detention or retention plan approved by the city.
3. All sidewalk, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas for public use shall be free of all snow, ice, mud, and other debris.
4. All open storage areas shall be reasonably screened from surrounding property by fencing not to exceed six feet in height or by dense, continuous, live, evergreen vegetation.
5. The owner or occupant of any building, structure, or property shall not use the property for the open storage of any abandoned appliances, dismantled vehicles, and/or miscellaneous items which pose a threat to personal safety or which adversely affect the value of nearby property or exert a blighting influence thereon.