OCEOAblog

internet/sweepstake cafes

2011-01-28T16:03:00Z

Maryann Santel of West Chester, 513-759-7330, MSantel@WestChesterOH.Org asks

I would like to know if anyone has dealt with a new trend regarding “internet/sweepstake cafes”? Ohio law does not consider these gambling houses since the awards are predetermined. They sell pre-paid phone cards that are used to play computer games that mimic games of chance. I would like to know if they have been permitted as a principal use, and if so, what is the category in which they were placed? Also, for those jurisdictions that have them, have there been any primary or secondary negative effects?

Digital and Electronic Sign Intervals

2011-01-07T21:01:00Z

A follow-up question from Eileen Minamyer, City of Bellbrook; E.Minamyer@cityofbellbrook.org

If your jurisdiction allows on-premise digital LED signs for businesses, please advise your minimum message display time and any other restrictions for such signs.

...

Cleanup After Hoarder Dies

2010-12-29T14:43:00Z

Jim Snedeker, snedeker@brookvilleohio.com, Economic Development, Zoning/Property Maintenance Officer, City of Brookville; Phone 937-833-2135; Fax 937-833-3347 asks the following questions:

We have been faced with the challenge of a hoarder who passed away leaving the City a huge problem with what he left behind.

We have stated the process with a demolition company for the house which has been ruled structurally unsafe.

Is there a company that specializes in the clean up process?

We have found several items of value that we don’t know what to do with.

Window Signs and Real Estate Sign Regulations

2010-11-22T15:41:00Z

Question from Eileen Minamyer, City of Bellbrook; E.Minamyer@cityofbellbrook.org

We are in the process of revising our sign ordinance and are looking for information on the following topics:

1 We do not regulate window signs placed on the inside of windows and plan to keep that caveat in place. How do others regulate (or not) the case of individual letters placed on the exterior of a window?

2 We have crafted language allowing temporary subdivision sales signs in residential districts, but are having difficulty in crafting language that will limit these signs, time-wise. We do not want them to become permanent signs and would like to know how others handle these types of signs from a time limitation perspective.

Code Enforcement Officer Safety and Training

2010-11-22T15:35:00Z

Question from Carl E. Enterman; Code Enforcement Officer; City of West Carrollton; CEnterman@westcarrollton.org

Recently we have had some situations in which the safety of officers have come to light; three times with a police officer present and twice without a police officer. We have had and are continuing to have discussions with our City Manager, Law Director, and Police Chief with regards to self protection.

1. Are there any jurisdiction that arm their Code Enforcement Officers.

2. If the answer to question one is yes, then to what extent and what training is provided.

3. Do any jurisdictions provide self defense training.

Miamisburg Hiring Code Enforcement Officer

2010-10-06T20:29:00Z

The City of Miamisburg is seeking applicants for the full-time position of Code Enforcement Officer. Under the supervision of the Building Inspector, the position is responsible for inspection and enforcement of the City’s zoning and property maintenance codes. Applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED); possess a valid Ohio driver’s license; a minimum of one year of experience related to inspection, code enforcement, building inspection, land use, planning, or a related field; the ability to interpret and enforce codes, regulations, and ordinances; strong oral and written communication skills; and basic keyboarding skills. Pay range is $19.64 to $24.97 per hour. Applications can be obtained at the Miamisburg Civic Center City Administration Office, 10 N. First Street or from the City’s website at www.ci.miamisburg.oh.us.
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 29, 2010.

Kennels and Pets

2010-09-23T14:08:00Z

Chris Lohr, clohr@hhoh.org, from Huber Heights is requesting information about your agency's definition of kennels and if you control other animals by type, number, location, etc. He asks:

1. Does anyone regulate the number of pets allowed on a residential property? If so, what is the maximum number allowed (especially for dogs and cats)?

2. How do you enforce the Code if you have one? (Respond to complaints, monitor County dog licenses?)

3. What is your definition of a “kennel” ?

Landscaping in the Right of Way

2010-09-14T16:59:00Z

David W. Hays, Code Enforcement/Fire Safety Officer, City of Bexley dhays@bexley.org
614-559-4247 office, 614-296-2878 mobile; 614-559-4241 fax, wants to know:

...about city ordinances concerning planting and hardscaping in the tree lawns, or right of way.

Also, does anybody have ordinances concerning the removal of stumps after a tree is removed?

...

Bed Bug Infestations

2010-09-14T16:53:00Z

Annette Accurso, Housing Code Specialist, City of Middletown, Community Revitalization annettea@cityofmiddletown.org PH 513-425-7943 Fax 513-425-7921 asks:

More and more incidents are arising regarding bed bug infestation. We now must enforce nuisance abatement in a new way regarding proper packaging of discarded mattresses and furniture. However, my questions are,

1. What departments and/or agencies work in conjunction with code enforcement to address the dwellings regarding infestation?

2. Are there policies implemented to address the infestation first to minimize risk of contamination for the maintenance inspectors?

3. ...

Off-Road Vehicles on Private Property

2010-08-11T12:17:00Z

John Graham, Code Enforcement Officer, City of Miamisburg, 937-847-6540, john.graham@cityofmiamisburg.com

would like to hear from any municipalities which regulate or restrict the use of off-road RV’s such as trail bikes, 4-runners, etc., on private property. The only thing we now have is a requirement that they have the owner’s permission to do so, and must have a headlight & taillight if they are used after dusk.

Regulating Yard Art and Seasonal Decorations

2010-03-11T21:51:00Z

John Graham, Code Enforcement Officerfor the City of Miamisburg john.graham@cityofmiamisburg.com asks

Are any communities attempting to regulate “yard art”, or limit the time frame for the display of residential exterior seasonal decorations. Given the free-speech ramifications, he doubts there are many out there. But if anyone does have some effective language dealing with either of these, he would really like to hear about it.

Lexis Nexis and MERS Property Searches on the Internet

2010-02-12T21:37:00Z

Joanne Mejias [ joanne.mejias@ketteringoh.org ] of Kettering has two inquiries:

1. Which local government agencies provide access for their inspectors to Lexis-Nexis to research property ownership and please comment on how well it works for you.

2. Which cities are using the MERS Link. How successful is this toward gaining compliance?

Interior Inspection of Residential Rental Property

2010-02-09T20:29:00Z

Gary Baker Gary.Baker@cantonohio.gov Senior Code Officer for the City of Canton asks:

How many jurisdictions require mandatory scheduled interior inspections of rental / non owner occupied properties? Please explain what you look for and how you manage the program.

Maximum Number of Occupants

2010-01-31T13:45:00Z

Amy Sackman Odum [amy.odum@cityhall.lima.oh.us] (419- 221-5246) from Lima asks:

The City of Lima is looking for models of maximum number of unrelated adults occupancy regulations. Many college towns have similar ordinances to regulate overcrowding in student rentals. Please forward copies of existing ordinances to:

Amy Sackman Odum, Director, City of Lima Department of Community Development, 50 Town Square, Lima, Ohio 45801

Fees for Mowing Nuisance Properties

2010-01-25T13:29:00Z

Mary Jane Adams of Middletown maryj@cityofmiddletown.org asks:

How are others pricing the mowing of nuisance lots? Do they name their price or so much per hour? I would like some feed back on other cities and how it works for them.

Proving a Business Use in a Residential Garage

2009-11-25T20:52:00Z

Marvin L. Mitchell, Code Enforcement Officer for the Village of Urbancrest, Ohio Urbancode2003@yahoo.com
needs help with the following situation:

A resident has a garage in a residential district and repairs automobiles. He says that he is not operating a business, but only working on his family and friends' cars. I seriously doubt this! There are too many vehicles being worked on, and I know doubt he is doing it for free. He has a tow truck and tows the vehicles to his home.

I also need to know how many cars can be parked at one residential lot. What do other communities do about this?

Food Vending

2009-09-23T18:09:00Z

Brian Reynolds wrote:

I am looking for information on how individual Cities or Townships regulate portable food vendors that set up shop on private property(parking lots)? Is there a permit necessary, do you regulate them, and what restrictions are in place?

Brian Reynolds
Code Enforcement Officer
Building and Zoning Division
City of Gahanna
614-342-4025 office
614-342-4128 fax
www.gahanna.gov/zoning

Community Assistance

2009-09-23T08:03:00Z

Steve Carne wrote:

Do you know of any communities that have programs that work with the courts and violators (who are in need), assisting violators that have been cited for housing and zoning violations?

Steve Carne
City of Dayton
Zoning Administrator ...

Junk Vehicles

2009-09-23T07:52:00Z

Bobbie Carper wrote:

I need to know how other communities, preferably cities, deal with junk cars on private residential property. What is the definition of a junk vehicle and what sort of noticing/abatement time do others give to violators?

Thanks for your help.

Bobbie Carper
City of Stow

...

Vendors on Private Property

2009-08-31T15:47:00Z

Bryan Reynolds from the City of Gahanna wrote:

I am looking for information on how individual Cities or Townships regulate portable food vendors that set up shop on private property(parking lots)? Is there a permit necessary, do you regulate them, and what restrictions are in place?

Bryan Reynolds
Code Enforcement Officer
Office: 614-342-4025
Fax: 614-342-4128