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Good Neighbor Guidelines and Ordinances

Copies of the City of Upper Arlington’s Codified Ordinances can be obtained by calling the City Clerk, at 583-5030. They are also available under the Administration/City Council section.

Block Parties
City Manager's Office, 614-583-5040
Residents wishing to hold a block party in their neighborhood must obtain a block party permit from the City at least one week prior to the scheduled event (please allow a minimum of 10 business days for block parties scheduled for Fourth of July). Block parties are not permitted on any of the City’s main thoroughfares. Block party permits can be obtained from the City Manager’s Office, 3600 Tremont Road. A fee of $20 is charged to cover administrative costs and the delivery of barricades.

Building Permits
Development Department, 614-583-5070
Business & Development section.
In keeping with state and national policies and building codes, the City of Upper Arlington requires building permits and inspections for any new construction and specific remodeling and home improvement projects to ensure that buildings are safe for their intended use. Building permits and inspections are required for the following:
• Construction projects such as houses, garages and carports, accessory buildings greater than 160 sq. ft., patio covers/enclosures, decks, gazebos and porches.
• Home improvements such as interior remodeling, room additions, fireplaces and structural repairs.

Separate permits are required for:
• Plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical and driveway work.
• Fences, swimming pools and satellite dishes.

It is important to note that structures not requiring a building permit must still comply with zoning requirements.

The Development Department has created a series of informational brochures outlining processes and requirements for typical home improvement and construction projects. They include:
- A Guide to Residential Building Permits
- A Guide to Commercial Building Permits
- Fences & Walls, Decks, Accessory Structures
- Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, Gazebos, Trellises

These brochures can be obtained from the department or downloaded from the Business & Development section

Certificates of Zoning Compliance
Certificates of Zoning Compliance (CZC) are required to demonstrate that an approved development complies with the requirements of the City's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Before any building can be erected, re-constructed, enlarged, moved or substantially altered, the following must occur:
- A CZC application must be completed and submitted to the Development Department
- The CZC application must include a detailed site plan.
- The application is reviewed and approved/denied by either the Development Director or the Board of Zoning & Planning (determined by the complexity and extent of proposed project).
- If approved, the CZC is issued to the applicant.

A CZC is valid for a period of one year unless construction has begun. If construction has not begun or the propsed us has changed within one year, a new CZC application process is required.

Curfew
The City’s curfew restricts persons under 12 years of age from being out unsupervised by an adult between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., and persons under 18 years of age from being out unsupervised between the hours of midnight and 5:30 a.m.

Demolition Permit
Development Department, 614-583-5070
Online Business & Development section
Residents/business owners wishing to demolish any structure greater than 450 square feet in area must obtain a Demolition Permit from the Development Department. If a replacement structure is intended, all planning and building approvals for the new structure must be secured prior to issuance of the demolition permit. When a building permit is obtained for renovation and/or alteration with partial demolition of the existing structure necessary, a separate demolition permit is not required. Residents/business owners considering the demolition of a structure are advised to call 583-5070 prior to taking any action.

Environmental Mediation Program Code Compliance Division 583-5070
City Attorney’s Office 583-5020

The City has a series of ordinances and good neighbor guidelines in place to ensure residents and commercial property owners take responsibility for keeping their homes, neighborhoods and businesses safe and attractive. The City’s Code Compliance Division works to quickly resolve any issues brought to its attention, however, some cases are not easily resolved and may proceed to court, causing further expense for all concerned and delaying resolution of the issue. The City has developed an Environmental Mediation Program to address such cases, whereby an attempt is made to set timeframes and methods to bring a property into compliance that are acceptable to the property owner and the City.

Once the City determines the validity of pursuing mediation for a certain issue, it offers this option to the property owner. If the property owner accepts, he/she may be charged a $50 fee to undertake the process. Both parties meet with a neutral mediator to discuss why the property has not been brought into compliance, identify any miscommunication that may have occurred and other pertinent issues. For those owners lacking time or funds to resolve the issue, the parties consider how to manage costs or consider if a time extension is permissible in the given circumstances.

Event Permit
City Manager's Office, 614-583-5040
Groups wishing to hold a special event in the City of Upper Arlington are required to complete an event permit form, available from the City Manager’s Office, 3600 Tremont Road. Depending on the size, location and extent of the event, further City involvement may be required to determine the need for any assistance or guidance in additional permit requirements, traffic control assistance, etc. It is recommended that groups contact the City Manager’s Office at least three months ahead of the scheduled event.

Fences & Walls
Development Department, 614-583-5070
Online Business & Development section
A fence permit is required for the installation of any fence. Fences located in a front yard cannot be installed more than 15 feet forward of the building setback and cannot exceed 42 inches in height, measured from unaltered grade. Side and rear yard fences may not exceed six feet in height, measured from unaltered grade. Unless permission is granted from all abutting property owners to construct otherwise, fences shall be constructed with posts facing the interior of the property. It is recommended that residents have their property surveyed to verify the locations of all property lines and easements and check for buried utility lines.

Dry-stacked stone decorative walls and entry features can be located in yards. They must not exceed 36 inches in height and must conform to intersection clearance requirements if placed in front yards.

A brochure entitiled Fences & Walls, Decks, Accessory Buildings offers detailed guidance on the City's fence requirements. It can be obtained from the Development Department or downloaded from the Business & Develpment section.

“Call Before You Dig”
800-362-2764
Before you dig, be sure to contact your local underground locating service at least 48 hours in advance for help locating any underground power lines (electric, cable, gas, etc.)

Garage/Yard Sales
Code Compliance Division, 614-583-5070
Online Business & Development section
Upper Arlington residents may conduct one garage/yard sale per residence during any six-month period not to exceed three consecutive days or two consecutive days on two consecutive weekends. Sales may be conducted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Sale items may only be placed for display in a garage or back yard.

Garage Sale Signs
On-site signage must follow these guidelines:
- One sign not to exceed eight square feet may be placed on the property
- The sign may only be posted during the hours of the sale
- Signs may not exceed four feet in height
- No unrelated information is allowed on the sign
- A permit is not required

Temporary off-premise signs are allowed provided:
- Signs can only be posted off-site on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and all day Friday–Sunday
- Signs do not obstruct traffic visibility and maneuverability
- Signs are not attached to a right-of-way structure
- Signs must not exceed four square feet (eight square feet for double-sided signs)
- Signs must not exceed three feet in height and must be free standing, stable and non-illuminated
- Only one sign per street frontage is allowed (one sign for an interior lot, two signs for a corner lot)

Home Offices and Occupations
Development Department, 614-583-5070
Online Business & Development section
Non-residential activities may be allowed in residential districts but they must be compatible with the neighborhoods in which they are located and not create a negative impact. A permit is not needed, but several requirements must be addressed. Please call the Development Department for specific information.

House Numbering
Code Compliance Division, 583-5070
House numbers (using arabic numbers) should be placed in a conspicuous place, required by code to be on the front elevation of the primary structure, and to be a minimum of three inches in height to enable police and fire crews to locate a residence quickly in an emergency. Be sure that numbers cannot be obscured by heavy snow or leaves, and are not covered with decorations during the holiday season.

Individuals or organizations wishing to offer residents the service of painting house numbers on curbs for a nominal fee must seek approval from the City Manager’s Office, 3600 Tremont Road. Call 583-5040 for details.

Litter Control
Code Compliance Division, 583-5070
The dumping of any garbage or litter on any public street, park or other public area, or on any private property without the owner’s consent is not allowed. The placement or disposal of any refuse on private property without taking reasonable precautions to prevent it from spreading off the property is not permitted.

Noise Guidelines
Code Compliance Division, 614-583-5070
Police Division, 583-5410
Unnecessary Noise
Out of consideration for others in the community, the emission of any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of the community or an individual is not allowed.

Work Operations
To enhance the peaceful nature of the community during non-business hours, the following operations are not permitted on Sundays or during the evening hours of 7 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.:
• Commercial garbage collection
• Construction
• Operation of construction machinery
• Powered tools or appliances
• Commercial parking lot sweeping

Parking Guidelines
Code Compliance Division, 614-583-5070
Regulations are in place regarding the placement/parking of vehicles in residential areas to maintain safety standards and preserve the community’s aesthetic appeal.
- Commercial Vehicles - commercial and other vehicles having more than four tires may not be parked/stored on a residential property unless fully contained within an enclosed structure.
- Passenger Vehicles - may not be parked on grass.
- Inoperable Vehicles - vehicles that have one or more flat or missing tires, are not licensed, are missing mechanical or electrical parts necessary for their operation or are otherwise not capable of being started and driven are defined as inoperable vehicles. Inoperable vehicles must be parked or stored within a completely enclosed structure.
- Recreational Vehicles - recreational vehicles including camper trailers, motor homes, and boats must be parked/stored within the buildable area of a lot and screened from view. Recreational vehicles may not be parked on the grass. The “buildable” portion of a property is the area located within the required front, side and rear setback lines.

Pet/Animal Guidelines
Animal Control, 614-583-5411
Animal control legislation is in place primarily to encourage responsible pet ownership. It helps protect the public health and safety, and encourages owners to prevent their pets from becoming a nuisance to neighbors. These same laws protect animals from cruel treatment, neglect and injury. The Police Division’s Animal Control Section has a brochure listing guidelines and useful numbers. It can be obtained by calling 614-583-5411 or downloaded from the Resident Services/Police section.

Animal Bites
Animal bites must be reported to Animal Control if the victim’s skin is broken. The exception to this rule is a rodent bite (mice, hamsters, rabbits, etc).

Barking Dogs
Upper Arlington Animal Control legislation prohibits a dog from disturbing the peace of any person by loud, habitual and persistent barking, howling, yelping, or whining. Persons bothered by such a problem are encouraged to contact the owner of the dog to solve the problem on a neighborly basis. If the situation does not improve, please contact Animal Control for assistance.

Cats
Cats are part of the City’s leash law and are prohibited from running at large. They must be kept indoors or confined on the owner's premises at all times.

Cruelty/Neglect
Failure of an animal owner to provide adequate food, water, shelter and opportunity for exercise constitutes a violation of state statute. In addition, intentional acts of cruelty, such as abandonment, harassment or torture will be vigorously prosecuted.

Cleaning up After Your Pets
As a courtesy to others and for health and safety reasons, pet owners are required to clean up after their pets at all times, when on public grounds or the private property of others.

Dog Licenses
Residents must obtain a dog license for each pet dog from the Franklin County Animal Control. Call 462-4361 for details.

Leash Law
Dogs allowed to roam the streets are not only a nuisance and dangerous to the public, but are themselves in danger from cars, irate people, and even other dogs. For these reasons, all dogs must be on a leash or confined on the owner's premises at all times. In public parks, dogs must be on a leash from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time. At all other hours, dogs must still be under control by the owner.

Maximum Occupancy of Pets Per Household
Residents are not permitted to keep, in any combination, more than four dogs or cats on their premises, with the exception of puppies and kittens under the age of four months.

Prohibited Animals
For various health and safety reasons, Upper Arlington does not permit residents to keep the following animals:
• Poisonous insects, amphibians or reptiles
• Constrictor reptiles
• Game animals
• Endangered/protected species
• Animals considered feral (wild) by nature, except “pocket pets,” such as guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rabbits, etc.

Political Signs
Development Department, 583-5070
The City’s Political Signage Ordinance is consistent with Ohio Revised Code, and can only regulate the size and location of political signs. Further, the City can only request that signs be removed from private property if they are in a state of disrepair.

If signs have been inappropriately placed in public spaces or you are concerned about the physical condition of signs in a neighbor’s yard, call Code Compliance at 583-5073. If you have concerns abut the language contained on signage, contact the Ohio Elections Commission at 466-3205 (www.elc.oh.gov).

Political signs placed on private property are also private property. Theft charges will be filed against persons found to have taken such signs. Residents should place their name on political signs, so they can be returned if stolen and later recovered.

The City respectfully asks residents to be mindful of how political signage can impact the aesthetics of our neighborhoods. UA is renowned for its beautiful landscaping, immaculate lawns and superior housing, and we all play a part in maintaining the look and feel of our community.

Property Assessment and Monitoring Program
Code Compliance Division 583-5070
Property maintenance guidelines help assure that buildings and structures are safely built and sanitary to protect the public health, and enhance the aesthetics of the community, ultimately preserving property values. The City’s proactive Property Assessment and Monitoring Program conducts systematic exterior inspections of all properties within Upper Arlington to ensure they are in compliance with requirements of the City’s Property Maintenance Code, Unified Development Ordinance and portions of the General Offenses, Streets and Services, and Building codes.

The City is divided into five zones with the intention of inspecting each zone over the course of approximately one year. As code compliance violations are detected, the Code Compliance Division is contacting property owners to educate them on the issue and working with them to establish a reasonable timeframe to bring the property back into compliance.

It is hoped this program will ultimately result in a reduction of complaint-driven issues and satisfy frustrated residents who choose not to issue a complaint against a neighbor but must suffer the consequences of an unsafe or unattractive property adjacent to their home.

Refuse Disposal
Refuse cannot be disposed of in any containers designated for use by others or on any street, park or other public place. Residents should not combine yard waste with regular household waste or allow garbage to accumulate on their premises for longer than two consecutive refuse collection days. Residents should not place refuse containers at the street any earlier than one hour before sunset the day before the regularly scheduled collection day.

Signs
Development Department, 583-5070
The City of Upper Arlington regulates the type, location, number and size of residential signage, based on each type of sign. For example:

Real Estate or Contractor Signs
- Signs cannot exceed eight square feet per side and 16 square feet total area for two-faced signs
- Signs must not exceed four feet in height
- Only one sign per street frontage is allowed
- The sign must be removed five days after the sale/lease of the property or completion of improvement
- A permit is not required

A brochure entitled Temporary Yard Signs, Temporary Signs in the Public Right-of-way, Political Signs is available from the Development Department or can be downloaded from www.ua-ohio.net under the Business & Development section.

Please call the Development Department for information about regulations for commercial signs.

Sidewalks
Neighborhood Petition Options 583-5360
Engineering Division

Street Tree Damage to Sidewalks 583-5340
Parks & Forestry Division

Many of Upper Arlington’s physical attributes were set in place many years ago. The presence or lack of sidewalks in the community is an attribute that evolved as neighborhoods were built, typically at a time when the mixing of vehicular traffic and pedestrians was not so prevalent.

Retrofitting Upper Arlington’s roads to meet today’s standards and expectations is a significant challenge the City must weigh against other service and infrastructure needs. Likewise, bringing residents to consensus on the need or desire for sidewalks in their neighborhoods also comes into play.

As occurs in most communities, the financial responsibility for sidewalk installation typically falls to the homeowner, either rolled into the price of a new home, or retrofitted. Residents also are responsible for the upkeep of the sidewalks in front of their homes.

There are exceptions to this rule. When the City must conduct utility or street construction work; or when the roots of a City-owned street tree in the public right-of-way cause damage to a sidewalk, the City will undertake any necessary repairs.

Recently, City Council adopted a policy that directs Staff to include sidewalk options within any reconstruction bids for arterial and collector streets that lack sidewalks. Council then makes the final determination on whether to have the sidewalk option installed, based on available funding and other considerations. To date, this policy has initiated the installation of a sidewalk along the west side of Kenny Road running north of McCoy as part of a 2007 reconstruction project.

Residents wishing to explore the addition of sidewalks within their neighborhoods are required to complete a petition representing at least 60 percent of the property front footage of their block or street to this effect. The City will then coordinate the installation of sidewalks at the homeowners’ expense, payable by a lump sum or through a 20-year special assessment. Additional details on costs and how to proceed with this process are available from the Engineering Division.

Smoke Free Upper Arlington
Smoke-Free Hotline, 462-4AIR
City Attorney’s Office, 583-5020
Upper Arlington’s Smoke Free legislation took effect February 1, 2005. It pertains to all businesses in Upper Arlington including bars, restaurants, offices and retail establishments, and is designed to ensure Upper Arlington workers, residents and visitors to our community are protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke. The Franklin County Board of Health (FCBH) is contracted by the City for the provision of health services, and is the primary entity undertaking enforcement.

Upper Arlington’s Ordinance defines both the business owner and the individual who chooses to smoke as responsible parties. Upon receipt of a complaint, businesses will receive one warning letter. Any additional violation is a minor misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum court fine of $150 plus court costs. An individual violator is immediately guilty of a minor misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $150 plus court costs.

Full details of this legislation can be found at www.ua-ohio.net under Resident Services / Health Services.

Solicitations
City Manager’s Office, 583-5040
The City of Upper Arlington has established guidelines and requirements for groups or individuals wishing to go door-to-door in the community for the purposes of selling items or services, or canvassing residents.

The guidelines are as follows:
- Upon registering with the City Manager, the applicant must pay a fee of $50 plus any additional costs related to processing the application such as a background check.
- The City Manager has the authority to exempt an applicant from the background check based on information known to the City, such as prior history.
- Charitable groups, non-profit groups and religious organizations who solicit must register and obtain a permit from the City, but there is no fee involved.
- Hours permitted are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- It is unlawful for any peddler, solicitor or canvasser to enter the premises of a residence that has a “No Peddlers, No Solicitors, No Canvassing, No Trespassing” (or similar language) notice posted.
- All issued permits expire 60 days from date of issuance.

Permits must be requested from the City Manager’s Office, 3600 Tremont Road. Issuance of a permit does not indicate an endorsement from the City. The City has made available two versions of a decal available free-of-charge to residents. One states “No Solicitors/Peddlers” and is designed to dissuade individuals or entities wishing to sell a product or service. The second states “No Canvassers/Trespassers/Solicitors/Peddlers” and is designed to dissuade all such door-to-door activities. The decals can be obtained from the City Manager’s Office or the Police Division.

Storm Damage Responsibilities
Parks & Forestry Division, 583-5340
In the event of severe snow storms resulting in fallen trees and tree limbs, the property owner is responsible for the clean up of debris from trees located on private property. The City is responsible only for the debris from street trees in the public right-of-way and from City parks.

Yard Care
Code Compliance Division , 583-5070
The proper care and maintenance of property and landscaping benefits the entire community. Grass must not exceed 10 inches in height. Properties should also be kept free of noxious weeds such as thistle, burdock, jimson, ragweed, milkweed mullein, poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Failure to comply with these guidelines could result in notice from the City to rectify the situation within five days of receipt of said notice. After five days, the City will make arrangements to cut the grass/weeds at the owner’s expense.

4/08

City Manager's Office
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5040
Fax: 614-457-6620
www.ua-ohio.net