Frequently Asked Questions

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Recycling in Shaker Heights is easy. 

1. Calling Public Works at 216-491-1490 for your free recycling buckets.

2. Follow the current recycling guidelines.

3. Check out our recycling events, like the Household Hazardous Waste Roundup or Computer Roundup.

The City collects yard waste from your tree lawn. View Leaves, Grass & Brush Collection to learn more.

Visit Construction Zone to keep up with current construction to the public infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.).

We're proud to offer a wide array of amenities to our residents. This includes a 50-meter pool, tennis courts, a basketball court, a skate park, numerous multi-purpose trails, and lots more. Search for the amenity you're seeking with our Facilities module or visit our Parks & Recreation pages to learn more.

Visit Building Permits to find information on the permitting process and permit applications.

Make an overnight parking request online or by calling 216-491-1234. If you do not request overnight parking, your vehicle may be ticketed.

For streetlight outages, please use the Report a Streetlight Outage form and we will share the information with the Illuminating Co., which is responsible for our community's streetlights.

For problems with traffic signals and street signs, please use the Report a Problem with a Traffic Signal or Street Sign form.

Call 911 or 216-491-1234 to report suspicious activity. 

Please note, the 216-491-1234 is the preferred number to call when using a cell phone, as it will route your call directly to our dispatch center. Calling 911 on a cell phone will first reach Cuyahoga Emergency Communications System (CECOMS).

Call 911 or 216-491-1234 to report a crime.

Please note, the 216-491-1234 is the best number to call when using a cell phone, as it will route your call directly to our dispatch center. Calling 911 on a cell phone will first reach Cuyahoga Emergency Communications System (CECOMS).

Call 216-491-1234 to report a public nuisance.

Call 216-491-1234 to report a traffic incident.

You may pay your traffic violations in person at the Shaker Municipal Court at 3355 Lee Rd. from 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Parking and waiverable traffic tickets — i.e. tickets that do not require you to appear in court — may also be paid online at the Court's website. After hours, you may pay parking and waiverable traffic tickets at the Shaker Heights Police Department, also at 3355 Lee Rd. After hours payments are cash only.

Find information on requesting police reports here.

The Shaker Heights Police Department does digital and ink rolled fingerprinting for residents and non-residents. Visit our page on Fingerprinting to get information on fees and making an appointment.

Dogs are required to be on leashes in certain parts of the City, including Horseshoe, Lower Lake, and Southerly parks. Certain other parks and playgrounds may prohibit dogs altogether; signage will designate those parks and playgrounds that prohibit dogs. Outside these parks (and on private property), dogs are required to be on leashes or under the control of their owners at all times so as not to create a nuisance.

The Shaker Heights Police Department does not offer background checks for the general public. However, the Department does offer fingerprinting services. Visit our page on Fingerprinting to get information on fees and making an appointment.

Violations of certain City laws (i.e. ordinances) at a residential or commercial property may be declared nuisances if they are engaged in by (a) the owner, (b) any occupant, or (c) any guest of the owner. If the Police find that two or more violations occur within an 18-month period, the owner may be sent a notice declaring the property a "nuisance," and then after a third violation, the Police may send a notice and charge police response costs for the third and any subsequent violation within 18 months. (The cost to owners is the hourly rate for each officer responding x 75% x number of hours, plus $20 per hour for the cruiser.)

Nuisance activity includes:

• Animal odor, noise
• Disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace
• Drug abuse
• Gambling
• Health, safety, or sanitation
• Obstruction of official business
• Sex offenses, public indecency, procuring, or prostitution
• Assault, menacing
• Criminal damaging, endangering, mischief
• Littering or deposition of waste
• Weapons, explosives, firearm, or handgun
• Noise
• Fireworks

Owners may file an appeal with the Chief of Police for any notice sent under this law within 30 days of the date of the notice. If the Chief determines the facts do not support the declaration of nuisance, the Chief will rescind the notice. If the Chief finds that the facts do support the declaration, the Board of Appeals will hear the appeal. An appeal will not stop the City from taking enforcement action or pursuing criminal prosecution. On appeal, in order to overturn the nuisance declaration, the owner must show that:

• He/she was not the owner at the time of any one of the nuisance activities
• He/she had knowledge of the nuisance activity, but took action to stop the activity from occurring
• He/she had no knowledge, but as soon as he/she received notice, the owner took action to stop it from happening again.

Call 216-491-1220 for information about towed vehicles.

To retrieve your towed vehicle, you must visit the Shaker Heights Police Department at 3355 Lee Rd. in person. Please bring a valid driver’s license and the vehicle title. Once you present these documents, you will receive a Tow Release Form. Take this form to Interstate Towing, located at 16008 Libby Road, Maple Heights. Upon payment of the necessary fees, your vehicle will be released to you. If you have any questions, please call the Shaker Heights Police Department at 216-491-1220. For information about towing fees, which must be paid in cash, please contact Interstate Towing at 216-475-0099.

Visit the Shaker Municipal Court’s website to get phone numbers, hours, and location.

Court fines can be paid in person at the Shaker Municipal Court at 3355 Lee Rd. View the Court’s webpage for hours, directions, and additional information.

Call 216-491-1234 to request a welfare check.

The Department makes every effort to identify owners of found property that has been turned into or recovered by the Department. However, if the owner is not located after 90 days, any unclaimed property is either destroyed or auctioned.

Property releases are by appointment only. Please call 216-491-1269 to schedule.

Release Hours:
Monday – Thursday
8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
(Excluding holidays)

To claim property, the following is required:

• A government-issued photo ID

• Proof of ownership

• Signed release paperwork

If a third party is claiming the property:

• They must present Power of Attorney

• A government-issued photo ID

Note: Notarized letters are not accepted in place of Power of Attorney.

Unclaimed property held by the Shaker Heights Police Department for more than 90 days is either destroyed or auctioned. Auctions are typically held once per year at the Shaker Heights Police Department (3355 Lee Rd.). Auctions are open to the public; there is no set list of auctioned items available. To receive alerts about upcoming police auctions, subscribe to City ENews and/or follow the Department on Facebook.

Call 216-491-1234 to report dog incidents.

All bicycle operators and passengers over five years of age must wear properly sized ANSI or SNELL approved helmets with fastened chinstraps.

A bike license allows the Shaker Heights Police Department to reunite you with your bike, in the event your bike is stolen. Learn how to get a license on the Bike Licenses page.

If your stolen licensed bicycle is recovered, we will contact you using the information you provided when purchasing your license. Unlicensed recovered bicycles are kept at the Shaker Heights Police Department at 3355 Lee Rd. and sold at a year-end property auction if not claimed. Call the 24-hour, non-emergency line, 216-491-1220 for more information.

Dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs at the Drug Drop Box located in the lobby of the Shaker Heights Police Department, 3355 Lee Rd. The lobby is open 24/7. Pills only; no needles or liquids. Properly dispose of liquid medication by mixing it with coffee grounds, cat litter, sawdust or something similar to make it undesirable or unusable. Once the liquid is in an unusable state, place it in the regular trash.

Please contact the Shaker Municipal Court at 216-491-1300.

View our Citizens Police Academy page for detailed information about the program.

Members of the press may contact Commander John Cole at john.cole@shakeronline.com or 216-491-1246 with inquiries.

Bonds may be posted at the Shaker Heights Municipal Court at 3355 Lee Rd. during regular business hours. Visit the Court’s website for hours, directions, and more information. When the Court is closed, bonds may be posted in cash only at the Shaker Heights Police Department, also at 3355 Lee Rd.

Call the 24-hour, non-emergency line, 216-491-1220, for questions/information.

Please call Extra Duty Solutions at 206-408-8114 to hire an off-duty Shaker Heights police officer.

The Shaker Heights Police Department is pleased to participate in community events. Please use the Community Service Request form to make your request.

The Shaker Police Department encourages residents to sign up for Vacation Watch, so that the police are aware that you are away and your home is temporarily unoccupied. Providing this type of notice enables the department to better manage resources, while monitoring activities in, and around, the City.

In 2014, City Council enacted legislation to prohibit the use by all drivers, except in certain limited circumstances, of hand-held (including lap-held) electronic communications devices, including cell phone use for phone calls and texting. View the ordinance.

The Shaker Heights Police Department responds to more than 2,000 alarms annually. Unfortunately, about 50 percent of these are false alarms. This diverts resources away from more important police matters in our community.

The City's codified ordinances require home and business owners to pay fines for excessive false alarms. Specifically, two false alarms are allowed within a two-year period. A third false alarm during this period will result in a $50 fine; each additional false alarm will result in a $100 fine. There is an appeals process.

Preventing False Alarms

• Make sure everyone who uses your alarm knows how to operate it; this should include knowing how to clear a wrong code if you make a mistake on the keypad.
• Lock all protected windows and doors before you leave.
• Keep pets, balloons and fans away from sensors.
• Use a reputable alarm company, which will regularly service your system.
• Notify the alarm company immediately if you believe your system is not functioning correctly.
• If you re-enter your home because you have forgotten something, turn off the alarm and re-set it when you leave.
• Cancel an alarm you know to be false; you will not be fined if the alarm is cancelled before the police arrive.

There are three ways to report a missed trash and/or recycling pick-up: 

1. Use the Report a Collection Problem form
2. Email Public Works
3. Call 216-491-1490 

Contact the Public Works Dept. within 24 hours of your regular pick-up day to request collection the next day. Reporting a trash/recycling miss more than 24 hours after your regular day results in pick-up the following week.

Recycling in Shaker Heights is easy. 

1. Calling Public Works at 216-491-1490 for your free recycling buckets.

2. Follow the current recycling guidelines.

3. Check out our annual recycling events, like the Household Hazardous Waste Roundup or Computer Roundup.

• Containers must be galvanized or plastic weather-resistant, not to exceed 32 gallons in capacity or 40 pounds filled weight.

Email Public Works or call 216-491-1490 to request free green recycling buckets. Remember: Do not bag recyclables—leave them loose in recycling buckets.

Until recently, most plastics recycled in the United States were sent to China. But as of January 2018, China began enforcing its "National Sword" policy, which bans 24 types of solid waste, including mixed plastics and mixed papers. It also sets a much tougher standard for contamination levels for the materials China does still accept. This has left communities across the United States in a bind, as the market for certain recyclables has been constricted considerably. Unfortunately, that's meant more plastics - including some that were once recyclable - must go in the trash.

It's also meant that recycling facilities - including those that process recyclables from Cuyahoga County - are cracking down on contamination. Communities throughout the County, including Shaker Heights, must lower contamination levels or risk fines and/or their recyclables being sent to the landfill.

This article helps explain the current crisis.

A number inside a recycling symbol does not mean an item should be tossed into your recycling bucket. The numbers on plastic containers are resin codes used by the plastics industry to identify the type of plastic used to make the container. Unfortunately, given the current problems in the recycling market not all plastics with the 1 through 7 symbol are recyclable at this time. As of August 2018, residents should only recycle plastic bottles and jugs. If it has an opening or a neck that's more narrow than the body, it can be placed in recycling.

In some cases, yes. For example, area stores - including Giant Eagle, Whole Foods, and Target - accept plastic bags and plastic film for recycling. View our community recycling events for opportunities to recycle computer equipment and shredded paper. TerraCycle is another way to recycle many items not allowed in your in-home recycling container.

Check the "What do I do with ... " database at CuyahogaRecycles.org for up-to-date information on where materials can be recycled.

Visit Cuyahoga Recycles for detailed information about how to recycle in our County, including here in Shaker Heights. We also recommend following the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for ongoing advice and information about recycling in our region. 

The Service Center (Recycling Center) is located at 15600 Chagrin Blvd.

Hours:

Saturdays & Sundays, 8 am-4 pm

Please note: Residents may bring recyclables to the Service Center on both Saturdays and Sundays. Please bring an ID. Large item drop off is Saturdays only. 

Latex paint - Latex paint is non-hazardous. Dry it and then place cans in your trash. Learn more.

Oil paint - Oil paint is considered a hazardous material and does not belong in your trash. Dispose of at the City's Household Hazardous Waste Roundup event.

The City of Shaker Heights owns the trees on the treelawn and, in most areas of Shaker, also owns the treelawn as public right-of-way.

It is the resident's responsibility to maintain the treelawn. Day to day activities such as watering and raking leaves are the homeowner's responsibility as is the care of the grass on the treelawn.

It is the City’s responsibility to maintain the trees on the treelawn, but residents are partners with the City when a new tree is planted. The City sends the resident a letter explaining how to help maintain the tree by refilling the green plastic reservoir bag with water.

Funds for the maintenance and purchase of new treelawn trees come from the Tree Assessment included in your annual property taxes.

Yes! When trees are scheduled for replacement, homeowners are notified approximately two months prior to the planting of a tree. Upon notification, homeowners may request a larger caliper tree by completing a Resident Upgrade Form. The completed form and payment (current charges are listed on the form) should be returned to the Public Works Department. Tree plantings are only scheduled for spring and fall. Email Public Works or call 216-491-1490 for more information.

Email Charles Orlowski, the Superintendent of Forestry or call at 216-491-1490.

As long as the limb is not on private property the Department can remove it. If a limb is on a wire, visit Report a Tree Problem online to report the issue directly to First Energy, or call First Energy customer service at 800-589-3101 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wood chips are available year-round, free of charge and in any amount, at the Canoe Club on South Park Boulevard, near the intersection with Larchmere Boulevard. Residents must bring their own containers and shovels. Call Public Works at 216-491-1490 for more information.

To insure trees are healthy and long lived, proper mulching is extremely important. By following simple mulching guidelines, you will help to minimize injury to the tree trunk and roots, maintain soil moisture, control weeds, and improve soil quality, all of which will extend the life of the tree. However, too much mulch around a tree can be detrimental. Download the City's mulching guidelines (PDF) for guidance.

Please talk to your neighbor. This is a private issue between you and your neighbor. The City has no legal authority here, unless the tree is dead or diseased.

Tree maintenance, like pruning and trimming, play an important role in the healthy growth of trees, including street trees. While trimming can at times appear dramatic, it is a beneficial practice that will ensure the health of our City’s urban forest for years to come.

The Shaker Heights Forestry Department performs several different types of tree pruning/trimming, ranging from Young Tree Training, to pruning storm damaged or obstructing limbs, to full tree trimming.

Young Tree Training

Young Tree Training develops the structure of the tree to ensure healthy growth. This training involves trimming young trees (typically 2-3 years old) to creating a central leader (trunk) in the tree, pruning crossing or weakly attached limbs, and removing low limbs that grow over the road or sidewalk. Young Tree Training typically involves trees from two to eight inches in diameter.

Pruning Storm Damaged & Obstructing Limbs

Another important maintenance activity involves pruning out storm damaged limbs, which are typically broken, and removing low limbs that may be obstructing objects such as a traffic sign or traffic signal. This is considered a minimal form of pruning. Other types of minimal pruning include removing low hanging limbs impeding a roadway or sidewalk.

Partial Tree Trimming

The next type of tree trimming involves a partial trim of the entire tree. This work includes pruning dead wood or hazardous limbs from the tree. This work is not a complete trim, but a general maintenance prune of the tree.

In general, minimal and partial pruning is done during the summer months.

Complete Tree Trimming

Complete Tree Trimming means pruning the entire tree. This pruning is typically completed during the winter months, while crews are available and not busy with warm-weather tasks. 

Typically City crews will perform Complete Tree Trimming on a street scheduled for infrastructure improvements, including repaving. This ensures those trees will not be damaged by the heavy equipment required for infrastructure improvements.  Please note that a 14 foot overhead clearance for a roadway is a standard height for large trucks (see photo).

Complete Tree Trimming involves:

• Raising up low hanging limbs 14 to 16 feet over the roadway and 8 to 10 feet over the sidewalk. 
• Removing obstructing limbs from street lights and traffic control devices. 
• Removing dead and weak limbs from the tree’s canopy. 

All pruning work performed by the Forestry crews follow industry standards and best practices. Crews are supervised by either the City’s Forester or the Labor Crew Leader, both ISA Certified Arborists. 

Electric Line Clearance Pruning

Pruning along electric lines, whether on the street or in residential backyards, is managed by First Energy as part of its line clearance program. This program is mandated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in order to maintain transmission lines and help prevent outages from downed limbs and trees. First Energy selects and oversees the contractors for this line clearance work. Residents whose properties are scheduled for line clearance pruning should receive a door hanger from First Energy before the work starts. Residents with questions or concerns about line clearance work should contact First Energy’s Customer Service line at 1-800-589-3101. Click here to learn more about line clearance requirements in Ohio.

Learn More

Read "Caring for Our Urban Forest," a feature about how the City cares for its tens of thousands of street trees, in the spring 2022 issue of Shaker Life. 

Sanitary sewer backup can be caused by a number of factors. The most common cause is due to a blockage in the main sewer line. Causes may include breaks in the pipe, the intrusion of tree roots, clogging due to an accumulation of grease or sediment, or foreign objects, system deterioration, inflow/infiltration of storm water into the system via low manholes, broken house lateral connections and cracked pipes.

The most common cause of sanitary sewer backup is cooking grease and roots that block flow. Other common causes of backup include foreign items that have been disposed of in the sanitary sewer drains such as:

• Baby wipes
• Diapers
• Keys
• Paper products (other than toilet paper)
• Toys
• Towels

Problems surface when the smaller laterals become blocked with roots, grease, sediments, or a collapsed pipe. When the flow becomes blocked, untreated waste water can back up into your home.

Public or mainline storm sewer backups can be caused by a number of factors. Heavy or intense rainfall events can overwhelm the storm sewer system. The majority of storm sewers in Shaker Heights were designed and installed between 1910 and 1920. They are designed to handle a 5-year or 10-year rain storm event. For rainstorm events greater than a 10-year storm, the storm sewers will overflow. 

Blockage

A blockage in the main sewer line may be caused by breaks in the pipe, an intrusion of tree roots, or downstream restrictions. Grass clippings, leaves, branches, newspapers and trash that enter the storm drain can also cause blockage. Shaker Heights Codified Ordinance prohibits any person from putting paper, wood, stone, or other foreign objects into the storm sewer system. The primary source of the foreign objects is the street catch basins.

Storm service lateral backups can be caused by a lack of maintenance to your gutters and downspouts. Leaves and debris often clog gutters and only allow a low flow of water to the downspouts. The overflow of water from blocked gutters, misaligned downspouts, missing or damaged gutters will allow the water to enter the home along the foundation wall. The soil surrounding your home becomes saturated and the water may penetrate cracks in the walls and the floor of the basement. 

Service Laterals

The service laterals can also be blocked by roots. Blocked storm water in service laterals will cause backup in footer drains and will also exit (force its way out) the storm laterals and enter the sanitary service laterals through cracks and joint separation. The sanitary laterals are always at a lower elevation so they collect the water that exits the storm sewer laterals.

Footer Drain Process

The footer drain is designed to take away excess water from outside the basement walls and under the floor slab. The water flows by gravity to the private storm water lateral leading to the main storm sewer. The footer drain works in conjunction with the grading around the foundation, gravel over the drain, and waterproofing applied to the foundation. When wet weather occurs, excess water may flow along the foundation wall and enter the footer drain. The water then flows by gravity through the footer drain to the private storm lateral, or it may be pumped by the means of a sump pump. During a heavy rain storm, an undersized sump pump may allow for storm water to back up into your home. 

Minimum Sump Pump Size

The recommended minimum size for a sump pump is as follows:

• One 4,000 gallons per hour (GPH) primary submersible sump with a ten-foot lift.
• One 2,000 gallons per hour (GPH) fully automatic, marine type battery operated, standby sump pump system (backup pump).
  
  
  

Over time silting (fine dirt particles) or tree roots can partially clog the footer drain and excess water can build up along the foundation. Even when the footer drains are working properly, overflow storm water from gutters can cause too much demand on them. A footer drain lies flat along the footer, has little to no slope, and depends on gravity to relieve the water pressure. The best scenario would be the least amount of water to enter the footer drains.

Property Maintenance

Proper grading away from the foundation of a home is very important. The ground must fall away from the foundation at least six inches within the first ten feet around the perimeter of the home. This is a minimum requirement. The more slope the better. A negative grade towards the foundation will cause the water to run towards the house and eventually lead to a leaky foundation. When proper grading is performed, the water will flow away from the footer drain. Patios, sidewalks, and landscaping should not be pitched toward the foundation. Inspect and relieve standing water along the foundation and install covers over the window wells. Storm sewer lines may also have blockage, breaks, and settlement similar to those previously mentioned in the sanitary lines.

What is a Backwater Valve

A backwater valve can sometimes prevent, or greatly reduce, the possibility of a sewer backup. A backwater valve is a fixture installed into a sanitary sewer service lateral either outside or in the basement. A backwater valve is an automatic device which allows water to flow out of the building, but closes when water tries to flow backwards. The unit must be cleaned according to the manufacturer to ensure that the valve closes correctly when needed. During a backup situation, do not add any additional water to the drains by flushing toilets, taking showers, doing laundry, etc. 

Helpful Resources

Consult the Public Works Department prior to installing a backflow prevention valve.

Since water damage may occur at any moment, especially below grade and during a storm, it may be advisable to contact your insurance agent for information regarding special rider insurance for water backup to be added to your policy. Check with your insurance agent for more coverage information and pricing.

Property owners are responsible for the private side of the sewer system on their property (including the test tee). More than 50 percent of the City's overall sewer system is on private property.

The City recommends homeowners clean their laterals every three to five years. If roots are present, laterals should be cleaned annually. A certified plumber can inspect a home’s laterals for proper water flow and complete any maintenance or repairs.  

In addition, property owners are responsible for:

1. Hiring a plumber to place a camera in the sewer to look for problems in laterals on private property.
2. Locating test tees. Public works will provide measurements to the plumber or resident.
3. Repairing/replacing test tees, with the following exceptions:
   1. If the repair of the test tee is required in order for the City to properly repair the sewer lateral on the City side.
   2. If the City has directly caused any damage.

Note: By City ordinance, if a resident does not make needed repairs and health issues are observed, the Public Works Department will declare a nuisance. The City will then make the repair and bill the resident for labor costs +25%.

Property owners may request the City inspect the public side of the sewer system once a year. Call 216-491-1490 to request this service.

Preventative Maintenance

• Cleaning thousands of catch basins on streets and in parking lots and fields
• Jetting water at high pressure through almost a million feet of sewer mains
• Catch basin repairs, manhole inspections and repairs, storm water outfall inspections
• Root control

Checking the City side of the sewer lines. Residents may call 216-491-1490 to request this service once per year.

Business Hours

During business hours (8 am-4 pm, M-F), residents can:

• Call the City at 216-491-1490 and request a service visit to check the City side of the sewer. If the problem is found to be on the private side, the City will advise the owner to contact a sewer contractor. The owner is responsible for paying the cost of the contractor.

Non-Business Hours

During non-business hours, residents can:

• Wait until the City can check the problem, usually on the next business day, particularly if it is not an emergency (call 216-491-1499 during non-business hours).
• Hire a private contractor.
  • If the contractor finds that the problem is on the City side, the contractor or homeowner may contact the City. The contractor must leave an invoice indicating that the blockage is on the City side. In this case, the City will determine if it is an emergency situation. If so, the City will address the problem the same day. Emergencies could include situations like an entire street being flooded. These will be determined on a case by case basis.

If a resident knows there are roots in the sanitary and storm sewer laterals, it is recommended that copper sulfate is used bi-annually. The general timeframe for copper sulfate applications is in the spring and fall each year. This product can be purchased from local hardware stores. Please read the manufacturer's instructions for proper handling and use.

If test tee/lateral work is needed on private property, residents may refer to a list of licensed contractors available through the Building Department.

For help with sewers during business hours call 216-491-1490; after business hours call 216-491-1499.

A snow parking ban eliminates obstacles that hinder the ability of City plows to efficiently and completely clear streets of snow. When crews are able to fully plow the streets, traffic and emergency vehicles can move safely and easily throughout the City.

The snow parking ban goes into effect when snow exceeds two inches on a residential street. The ban does not apply to parking on the streets immediately adjacent to retail businesses. It does not go into effect until 4 pm on the streets around school buildings when school is in session.

When a street has been plowed, residents may again park on the street. However, the ban will go back into effect if an additional two inches of snow falls.

Shaker’s 200+ miles of sidewalks make it a highly walkable city. A long-standing ordinance requiring homeowners to clear sidewalks in front of their homes, including corner property curb ramps, by 9 am the day after a snowfall preserves the walkability of the City. Snow that fell during the previous night does not need to be removed before 9 am or more than once a day. Likewise, business owners are responsble for clearing sidewalks in front of their establishments.

No. On streets around school buildings, when school is in session, parking will be permitted until 4 p.m. so as not to disrupt the school day. These areas include:

• Boulevard Elementary School
• Fernway Elementary School
• Hanna Perkins School
• Hathaway Brown School
• Laurel School
• Lomond Elementary School
• Ludlow School
• Mercer Elementary School
• Onaway Elementary School
• Shaker Heights Administration Building
• Shaker Heights High School
• Shaker Heights Middle School
• St. Dominic School
• University School
• Woodbury Elementary School

You may contact the Police Department at 216-491-1220, if you need an exception.

Residents who park in the street when the snow exceeds two inches could receive a ticket or find that their vehicle has been towed in order to facilitate snow clearing operations. The Police will try to reach owners of cars left in the street so they can be moved.

Snow Under 6 Inches

When snow is under six inches, the City clears sidewalks that are adjacent to school sidewalks and sidewalks on main arteries. Residents and business owners are responsible for clearing their sidewalks.

Snow Over 6 Inches

Residents and business owners are still responsible for clearing their sidewalks, and as a courtesy, the City will plow sidewalks after streets are cleared and when crews are available. With 200 miles of sidewalk this can take several days or more. Please note:

• City sidewalk plows leave several inches of snow; this is because city sidewalks are uneven
• Sidewalk plow may push piles of snow left on sidewalks back onto driveways
• Streets are plowed in the following order: main roads, secondary roads and then neighborhood streets
• View the sidewalk plowing map (updated three times a week).

The schools are responsible for snow removal on their own sidewalks. With any snowfall, the Public Works snow crews work to keep sidewalks adjacent to school sidewalks clear, as well.

• Do not plow snow onto sidewalks
• Do not plow snow into the street
• Do not plow snow onto any tree lawn other than the one in front of the property being plowed
• Do not plow snow onto or in front of fire hydrants
• Do not plow onto neighnoring properties

The low traffic volume overnight minimizes the effectiveness of salt and can worsen conditions. Instead of salting during those hours, crews plow to provide passable roadways and salt only intersections, curves, bridges and hills.

No. The use of powered snow removal equipment is a specific exception to the law prohibiting domestic power tool use late at night and in the early morning hours. There is no time restriction for the use of such equipment.

Trained marksmen under the direction of the Shaker Heights Police Department conduct sharpshooting on public lands and on private property when allowed by property owners and where deer can be harvested safely and humanely. The marksmen receive additional training in the Cleveland Metroparks to simulate the environment in which they will be working. “Do Not Enter – Deer Management Area” signs where deer management operations occur and radio contact with SHPD officers on patrol prevent citizens from wandering into the operational area. In the event of an unauthorized entry into the area, no shots are fired and individuals are asked to leave. Culled deer are transported to a processor for dressing and preparation for donation to a local food bank.

Based on information obtained by resident questionnaires and observations by SHPD officers and the City’s deer culling contractor, there is an overabundance of deer in our city. Suburban areas, especially Shaker Heights, provide high-quality, high calorie and easily accessible foods in the form of gardens, ornamental plantings, and fertilized lawns, while nearby woodlands offer daytime refuge. The richness of plant species is higher in residential areas than in wooded habitats. Suburban areas are free of hunting and natural predation. Deer have a high reproductive potential and populations increase quickly.

• There are negative impacts associated with an overabundance of or excessive browsing by deer:
• Native plant and wildlife populations, habitat quality, and ecosystem processes suffer.
• There is a decline in biodiversity (the number and variety of species of living organisms) in natural areas and a reduction in the ability of native plants to survive and reproduce. Repeated removal of stems, leaves, and flowering parts of plants reduces the height, vigor and reproduction of plants.
• There are negative impacts to wildlife that needs woodland understory for forage, nesting, and cover. Significant reduction in vegetation that birds use for foraging, escaping predators and nesting also occurs.
• Damage to landscape and garden vegetation occurs from deer browsing and antler rubbing.
• Individual deer health declines with reduction in the availability of forage.
• The spread of disease in both deer (e.g., chronic wasting disease) and humans (e.g., Lyme disease) increases.

Since 2016 a majority of Shaker residents who have responded to an annual questionnaire indicate that they have concerns about deer in Shaker and that they would like to see a decrease in the number of deer.

A deer herd that lacks natural predators will increase by 20 to 40% yearly, unless regular culling resumes. To better understand the factors that contribute to the unbalance in the deer’s environment, see Cleveland Metroparks’ Deer Management webpage.

Unpalatable landscape plantings and deer repellants are unreliable and short-term strategies. Deer are likely to ignore either the taste or odor repellents in times of food scarcity and overpopulation. Some repellents lose their effectiveness in rain and require reapplication and others do not weather well even in the absence of rainfall. Long-term approaches are needed to maintain deer populations at levels that are healthy for both deer and humans.

Finding locations that are safe, have ease of access and have multiple deer visiting is critical to the success of the culling program. Once a site has been selected it is important not to overuse it, as the deer learn to avoid it. Over the last three years it has become more difficult to locate sites on public lands. The majority of City property is within a park or along a trail, with significant pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Even in areas that are wooded and not in a park, there are people walking dogs, biking and cross country skiing. As the number of viable public locations for culling has decreased, more residents have requested culling on their own property.

Culling on private property is the same as culling on public property. The property is baited and cameras are set up near the bait sites. Trained sharpshooters perform the culling. Please see the FAQ What is the City’s deer culling program? for additional details.

Precision Wildlife Management, the City’s contractor, will conduct a site assessment at the prospective property to ensure it is safe and appropriate for culling. If the site is deemed acceptable, Precision Wildlife Management will meet with the property owner to explain the program and address concerns. The property owner will also be required to provide written permission for culling on their property. Precision Wildlife Management will also contact neighbors directly next to or to the rear of the property. Everyone will be given the option of being notified when culling will take place.

If any neighbor directly next to or to the rear of the private property to be used for culling objects to the culling, no culling will take place on that property.

The City’s Wildlife Task Force (formerly the Deer Task Force), which includes Council members and residents, has approved specific protocols for sharpshooting deer on private property.

The deer meat is donated to Cleveland-area food banks. 

Yes. The City is collaborating with other Eastside suburbs on a regional sterilization project. In January 2026, veterinarians and capture professionals managed by eco-system and wildlife population research consultant White Buffalo Inc. will be anesthetizing, sterilizing and tagging female deer in Shaker.

How does this work?

 Wildlife professionals locate and dart female deer from vehicles on public roadways and at bait stations on volunteer properties. The deer are tracked until they are unconscious (typically just a few minutes), and then transported to a surgical site where a veterinarian performs ovariectomies and administers long -acting antibiotics and pain relievers. All sterilized deer are fitted with state mandated numbered ear tags. Treated deer are then returned to a safe location close to the area where they were found and monitored until recovered. PLEASE NOTE: Once darted, a deer may run up to 100 yards before the tranquilizer kicks in. While it is unlikely that a tranquilized deer will choose your yard in which to fall asleep, if this happens the recovery team will carefully remove the sedated deer from your property and transport her to the surgical site.

Can I opt out of having sterilization activity on my property?

Yes. To opt out, fill out and submit this form.  

Yes, dogs must be on leashes, and the leash must be held by the person at all times at Horseshoe, Lower Lake, and Southerly parks. Outside these parks, dogs are required to be on leashes or under the control of their owners at all times so as not to create a nuisance. (Section 705.02 C.O.)

Up to two dogs per home/dwelling unit are permitted. (Section 705.10 C.O.)

Ohio law, as well as local ordinance requires owners of dogs to renew their dog license each year between December 1st and January 31st. Residents may purchase a license from Cuyahoga County.

There are a variety of ways the City communicates with residents:

• This website
• The quarterly Shaker Life magazine
• Email newsletters
• Social media

Visit Stay Connected to sign up for email newsletters and learn how to follow us on social media.

Shaker Life does not accept unsolicited editorial material, but story suggestions from residents are always welcome. Send suggestions by emailing the Communication and Marketing department  or mail Shaker Life, 3400 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120. We cannot respond to every suggestion but each will be given consideration. If you are interested in work as a freelance writer for the magazine, please email the editor for guidelines.

The City of Shaker Heights website is supported by tax dollars and is designed as a service to residents and as a resource for prospective residents. We welcome listings of cultural, entertainment and educational events in Shaker Heights, with a Shaker connection (e.g. the conductor, director, soloist, performer, etc. lives/rents in Shaker, etc.), or at nearby venues. Events must be open to the public. If you would like to send details of the event, we will consider posting it if it falls within our guidelines. To send a submission email the Communication and Marketing department.

Unfortunately, we are unable to help individuals find a place to live. But we are able to help prospective residents learn more about our community. Visit Considering a Move to Shaker to learn more about Shaker Heights, including our nine neighborhoods.

View our guide to Opening a Business for detailed information.

On a case-by-case basis, the business may require a conditional use permit, a variance or it may need to be rezoned. Planning Department staff will assist you with this process. Zoning and land use questions should be directed to the Dan Feinstein in the Planning Department at 216-491-1435.

Yes. All permanent window, awning and wall signs need to be reviewed by the Architectural Review Board. Signage questions should be directed to the Dan Feinstein in the Planning Department at 216-491-1435.

No. A business must have a fully executed Business License (Commercial Occupancy Permit) before moving into a commercial building. If you are not the property owner, it will be necessary to work with the property owner on the completion of the application.

Yes. A Business License (Commercial Occupancy Permit) is required for all businesses, even if the primary business in the building already has one.

Yes. The Business License (Commercial Occupancy Permit)  must be renewed every two years. Learn more at our Business License page.

Maybe. Licensing will depend on the specific food products you intend to sell and / or the square footage of the food display. Contact the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to discuss the specifics of your facility to determine the need for the license.

Yes! Consult our Available Properties page or email or call the Economic Development Department at  216-491-1335.

Yes. Find current year and past year documents at City Financial Documents.  Documents are also available in the reference sections at both branches of the Shaker Heights Public Library. The City's financial reports are also available for review in the Finance Department (City Hall, 3400 Lee Rd.) during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5 pm.

In Cuyahoga County, the County Fiscal Officer and Treasurer are responsible for determining property value, maintaining all property records, billing and collecting property taxes. Property taxes are billed by the County semi-annually and are normally due in January and July. Property taxes are billed in the year following the tax year upon which the bill is based. 

Property located in the City of Shaker Heights is taxed by the Shaker Heights School District, the Shaker Heights Public Library, Cuyahoga County and the City. Each of these separate entities sets its own tax rate. The tax rate that appears on the tax bill is the combined tax rate of all four. Property taxes paid by a Shaker Heights homeowner are distributed as follows:

• 73% - Shaker Heights School District
• 15% - Cuyahoga County
• 8% - City of Shaker Heights
• 4% - Shaker Heights Public Library

For more information about a specific property, visit https://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us. For additional information, visit the County's website at https://www.cuyahogacounty.us/.

                                                                   
                                   

The City levies an income tax on the earned income of all residents, the net profits of all businesses located in the City and the wages of all individuals who work in the City. This tax is in addition to any income tax that a resident may be paying to the community in which he or she is working. Learn more at Understanding Your Taxes.

For questions about property tax, residents should call the Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office at 216-443-7400 or (during busy periods) 216-443-4663.

The regulations vary depending on the type of outdoor burning. Recreational fires do not require a permit. Fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, BBQ grills and BBQ pits are examples of recreational fires. Bonfires and open burning (leaves, for example) do require a permit. View complete guidelines for outdoor burning in Open Burning & Outdoor Cooking (PDF).

Each spring and fall, the Fire Department flushes water lines through the City’s fire hydrants. Hydrant flushing is an important preventive maintenance activity that maintains the integrity of the water system and enables the Fire Department to ensure hydrants are in working order.

The Fire Department flushes hydrants by district. Signs will also be posted in your neighborhood ahead of flushing. Please drive with caution when Fire Department crews are in the streets flushing hydrants.

• Hydrant District Street (PDF)
• Hydrant District Map (PDF)

Discolored Tap Water

If tap water is used during flushing, it may contain sediment and some discoloration. If the water is discolored, simply shut the water off and wait a few minutes. Then run cold water for a few minutes to allow new water to enter your pipes. If the water is still discolored, wait a few more minutes and run the water again. In some cases, discoloration will occur for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water – it does not affect the taste or quality. Avoid washing laundry during scheduled flushing times, as the flushed sediment could discolor white clothing. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap, then wash a load of dark clothes first.

During winter months when the snow and ice piles high, Shaker’s 1,500 fire hydrants often are buried. If you are able, please clear snow from around hydrants and avoid shoveling snow on top of them so that fire crews can quickly gain access during an emergency.

However, if fire hydrants are buried in snow and you are unable to dig them out, don’t worry! The Shaker Heights Fire Department has detailed maps indicating the specific locations of all hydrants. In the event of a fire where a hydrant is not immediately accessible, each truck is equipped with 700 gallons of water, enough to fight a fire for approximately 10 minutes, while crews simultaneously dig out the closest hydrant.

Email Public Works. Please include the address of the house/building nearest the leaking or damaged hydrant. Public Works will report the issue to Cleveland Water, which is responsible for repairing and replacing the City’s fire hydrants.

The Fire Department is in the process of painting the City’s 1,500-plus fire hydrants green. This work is done only during the summer and only when staff are available. Rest assured, all the hydrants will eventually be painted. Please note: New hydrants are installed by Cleveland Water and are orange. These new hydrants must be given time to “settle” before being painted by our staff.

Photoelectric smoke detectors/smoke alarms are required in Shaker Heights. This type of detector/alarm is more reliable (earlier detection) for the kinds of fires that can occur in the City’s homes and buildings. Photoelectric smoke detectors/smoke alarms also have a lower rate of false (nuisance) alarms.  You will know it is a photoelectric smoke detector/smoke alarm if you see a [P] inside a square on the packaging (see photo below).  We recommend residents use interconnected smoke alarms/CO detectors. That way when one goes off, they all will go off.

At a minimum, there should be one smoke detector/smoke alarm on every level of your home. Smoke detectors/smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling, which is where heat and smoke go first during a fire.

 Place detectors/alarms as follows:

• First Floor: Place on the ceiling in a main area, near but not in the kitchen.
• Second & Third Floor: Place on the ceiling in hallway between bedrooms.
• Basement: Place on the ceiling in an open area.

Other location notes:

• Consider placing detectors/alarms at least 20 feet from areas of combustion (stove, furnace, water heater, space heaters).
• Consider placing detectors/alarms at least 10 feet from damp, humid or steamy areas (showers, saunas, dishwashers) or directly near bathrooms with showers.
• Avoid where temperatures are regularly below 40F or above 100F.
• Avoid near fresh air vents, ceiling fans or very drafty areas (drafts can blow the smoke away from the detector/alarm).
• Avoid installing closer than 4 inches from the wall or corners.
• Avoid installing closer than 12 inches from fluorescent lights.

It’s recommended that you also install a detector/alarm on the ceiling of each bedroom (near the door).  

Yes, we highly recommend installing at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. Detectors with digital read-outs are preferred, so you can monitor and report CO levels in the event of an alarm. We also recommend interconnected CO detectors or CO/photoelectric smoke alarm combos. That way when one goes off, they all will go off.

The carbon monoxide (CO) detector should be placed in the hallway between bedrooms, so that in the event of a carbon monoxide leak while you’re sleeping, you and your family members will hear the alarm. A second CO detector can be placed in the basement. If you have an attached garage, avoid placing CO detectors near garage entrance.

Yes. The Fire Department offers free installation and safety checks on car and booster seats required by the state, by appointment only. Call 216-491-1215 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm) for details and to make an appointment.

Residents may dispose of fire extinguishers at the Household Hazardous Waste Roundup, held each spring and fall at the Service Center. It’s time to replace an extinguisher when the gauge is no longer in the green zone; very old extinguishers should also be replaced, regardless of whether the gauge is in the green zone.

Smoke detectors can be placed in your regular garbage for disposal. Remove the battery, so they don’t beep. Smoke detectors have a 10-year life span and should be replaced after 10 years.

Please use the City’s public records request form to request a fire report. Be sure to include your first and last name and the date and address where the incident occurred. Select Fire as the department receiving the request.

Please use the public records request form to request an EMS report. Be sure to include your first and last name and the date and address where the incident occurred. Additionally please include the patient(s). Select Fire as the department receiving the request.  

IMPORTANT: EMS reports containing medical information will not be released without a completed and signed HIPAA Authorization Form (available at the Fire Station at 17000 Chagrin Blvd.). Please bring a current state identification when presenting your documents in person at the Fire Department.  If you are requesting an EMS report containing medical information for an individual other than yourself, you will also be required to submit Power of Attorney documentation.

The Fire Department does provide station tours for small groups.  To get more information or to schedule a tour, please call 216-491-1215 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm).

If the tent is more 400 square feet, you will need a tent permit. The Fire Dept will inspect the tent prior to the event for safety. To obtain a permit, visit our permits page. The fee is $25.

In extreme weather events, especially when accompanied by power outages, the Shaker Heights Fire Department provides the following assistance.

Emergency Cooling Center

In periods of extreme heat, residents experiencing power outage or who live without air conditioning and are a risk of health consequences should call 911. The Fire Department will accommodate residents in a cooling center.

Emergency Warming Center

In periods of extreme cold, residents who are without heat should call 911. The Fire Department will accommodate residents in a warming center.

 Sign up for Notifications, Alerts

Stay in the know! Sign up for emergency communications from Cuyahoga County, emergency alerts and advisories from the City, a monthly e-newsletter from the City and more on this page.

If you are planning to use a City-owned vacant lot for your community garden, you should start the process at least 5 months in advance of wanting to plant because you will need to get on the agenda of several different City committees. The process is outlined below.

Select a vacant lot

Call the Building & Housing Dept. at 216-491-1473 for information about available and suitable City-owned vacant lots.

Make sure you're qualified

To qualify to create a community garden on a City-owned vacant lot, applicants must:

• Have the support of the relevant neighborhood association (if the neighborhood has an active association)
• Be in good standing with City departments. Specifically, the applicant must have no Criminal Nuisance Activity violations; have no open building permits; be current with all property taxes in Shaker Heights; and have no properties they own in foreclosure.

Get a plan

Gather the information needed to complete the Board of Zoning Appeals/City Planning Commission (BZA / CPC) application.

• Create a written description of how the garden will operate including participants and the leadership structure
• Create a site layout drawing (hand-drawn with dimensions)
• Determine how you will fund the garden
• Determine how you will get adequate water for the garden
• Create a timeline for starting the community garden
• Contact neighbors adjacent to and across the street from the site and share your plans with them

For questions or additional information related to zoning or CPC, email Dan Feinstein or call 216-491-1435.

Get Approval

• Building & Housing Department approval – Call 216-491-1473 to apply for approval to use the City's site for your community garden.
• BZA / CPC approval – BZA/CPC will consider your request after you have received approval from the Neighborhood Revitalization & Development committee. You must submit a BZA / CPC application and your garden and site plan as outlined above and present your request at a BZA / CPC meeting. The BZA / CPC application fee is waived for City-owned lots. (Call 216-491-1435 to get started with your BZA / CPC application.
• City Council approval – City Council will consider your request to use the site for a community garden after you have received BZA / CPC approval. City Council must also approve the license agreement you will enter into with the City for use of the site. The licensing agreement will set the terms and conditions for use of the property.

Get growing!

• Get a good site
• Get permission - The County Auditor's website can help you identify the property owner, who must give you permission to use the site as a community garden. Permission can take the form of either a lease agreement between the property owner and the community garden group or a letter from the property owner giving permission to the group to use the property for a community garden for at least one year.
• Get the soil tested - A simple soil test is required for gardens because it provides critical information about contaminant levels, nutrient levels and recommendations for amending the soil. Learn more about soil testing at the Ohio State University Extension service.
• Get a plan
• Create a written description of how the garden will operate including participants and the leadership structure
• Create a site layout drawing (hand-drawn with dimensions)
• Determine how you will fund the garden
• Determine how you will get adequate water for the garden site
• Create a timeline for starting the community garden
• Contact neighbors adjacent to and across the street from the site and share your plans with them
• For zoning questions or to find out if your plans require BZA / CPC approval, contact Dan Feinstein at 216-491-1435.
• Get BZA / CPC approval if required – Call 216-491-1435 to apply to BZA / CPC, which requires you to submit the BZA / CPC application and your garden and site plan as outlined above, pay the application fee, and present your request at a BZA / CPC meeting.
• Get growing!

Zoning ordinance sections related to fences, setbacks, signs, and structures are the sections most likely to apply to a community garden. For guidance related to these and any other applicable zoning regulations, contact email Dan Feinstein at the Planning Department at 216-491-1435.

• Fences (Section 1262.05) – Fences require a fence permit.
• Setbacks (Section 1220.07) – The zoning ordinance sets forth minimum front yard setbacks when appropriate.
• Signs (Chapter 1250) – Gardens may erect signs 1 square foot or less in size without City review or approval. For signs greater than 1 square foot, a zoning variance, and in some cases a building permit, is required.
• Storage structures (Section 1262.16) – Storage structures up to 10 feet in height located in the rear area of a property are generally allowed at gardens. Storage structures are subject to design review by the Architectural Board of Review (ABR).
• Accessory ornamental structures and small greenhouses (Section 1262.10) – Structures, such as gazebos or small greenhouses, up to 15 feet in height and located in the rear area of a property may be allowed as part of a garden. Ornamental structures are subject to design review by ABR and in some case require a Building permit.

You will want to ensure that you get enough water to meet the needs of the plants planned for the garden. Some of the common ways to access water for a community garden include:

Neighbor's House

Consider sharing the cost of water with a neighboring homeowner who is willing to supply water with a nearby spigot from their home.

Rain Collection

Rain barrels collect and store rainwater, typically from a garage or house roof, that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted into storm drains. If your site does not have a building or garage, consider whether neighboring homeowners would allow you to install and use rain barrels at their homes or garages. The City encourages rain barrels be located at the rear and side of homes and be screened from the street view by landscaping.

A rain barrel is usually constructed out of a 55 gallon drum and connected to a gutter downspout. In the City, rain barrels are permitted as long as drains and/or overflows from the barrel do not flow back toward the building or create a nuisance condition. Typically, this issue is addressed by using a diverter, which does not permanently disconnect the downspout for a rain barrel. The diverter allows water to collect in the rain barrel until it is full, and then allows the overflow water to run down through your downspout as it was originally designed.

Spigot

Although spigots have a relatively high upfront cost, it makes water access easy and convenient for the life of the community garden. Use of a spigot on City-owned lots will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with applicants for City-owned properties. To set up an account for a metered spigot on privately-owned lots, complete the Cleveland Water's domestic application and letter of intent, and submit, along with a plot plan showing the location of the connection and the vault being used to Cleveland Water's Permit and Sales Department, which can be reached at 216-664-2444 ext. 5203.

• Cleveland Water's Permits and Sales Department will charge for the meter to be installed (around $3,400 for 2 spigots) and schedule installation of meter, back flow valve, and spigot(s).
• Cleveland Water will inspect the back flow after installation.
• Shaker Heights, through a private company, will inspect the back flow annually ($80/year).

Fire Hydrant Permit

Although fire hydrants are located in the City of Shaker Heights, the City of Cleveland supplies water to the hydrants and is responsible for water usage permits. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain permits from both Shaker Heights and Cleveland Water to use water from a fire hydrant for your garden:

To obtain a Shaker Heights Hydrant Use Permit:

• Contact the Shaker Heights Fire Department at 216-491-1215 for an application
• Complete and return the application
• Pay a $100 fee ($25 permit fee plus $75 refundable deposit)
• Shaker Fire Department will inspect hydrant for adequate water pressure
• If hydrant clears inspection, Fire Department will issue a Shaker permit
• To operate a hydrant it will be necessary to obtain a hydrant adapter fitting and a hydrant wrench from a tool supply store to use for installing the adapter and controlling water.
• When finished using a hydrant for the season, contact the Shaker Heights Fire Department to inspect the hydrant for damage. If the hydrant passes inspection, the Fire Department will refund your $75 deposit.
• Repeat process each year.

To obtain a Cleveland Water Usage Permit:
The Cleveland Water Department issues Community Garden Permits. Find additional information on permits on the Cleveland Water website or contact the Permit and Sales Unit at 216-664-2444.

Creating and running a successful community garden is a big undertaking. The below information is designed to help you get started.

Finding a site

In Shaker Heights, community gardens can be on private property or on a City-owned vacant lot. When evaluating a site, consider these questions:

• Who owns the property and will the property owner permit you to use it?
• What impacts will the City's zoning laws have on activities at the site?
• Is the site easily accessible to the population it will serve?
• Does the site get adequate sun for a community garden?
• How will you get adequate water to the site?
• What are the soil's lead and other contaminant levels?
• Is the soil suitable for gardening?

Investigate a number of potential sites from the outset to avoid disappointment. Your ideal site may be unavailable because of soil contamination or other reasons.

Developing a plan  

There are many resources available for those interested in starting a community garden, including OSU Extension (OSUE), workshops and classes, start-up guides, and existing community gardeners.

OSUE can help you:

• Develop your garden's mission statement and goals
• Develop the overall plan and budget for your community garden
• Identify appropriate sites for your garden and develop a site design

Visit the OSUE website or call (216) 429-8200

Other considerations

• Compost piles – Compost piles are allowed with a free compost permit (PDF) from the Department of Public Works. The permit describes how to construct a compost pile and where to locate it. Once the compost pile is constructed, Public Works will inspect the compost pile to ensure it complies with the permit. Call 216-491-1490 for more information.
• Trash and leaf pick-up – Community gardens may place bags of grass clippings and piles of leaves and brush on their tree lawn for regular City yard waste pick-up. Trash pick-up is not available for community gardens on City-owned property. Please review the City's yard-waste guidelines.
• Liability and insurance – Because community gardens involve the common use of property by many different individuals, it is a good idea to consider obtaining liability insurance. Liability insurance can provide the gardeners and/or property owner with legal protection in the event that a gardener or visitor is injured on the site. You may be able to obtain insurance at a lower cost by asking a larger organization that already has liability coverage to sponsor the garden.
• Food donation – Community gardens can help food banks, shelters and related organizations by donating some of their bounty. For example, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank takes food donations and distributes them to more than 450 centers thoughout Northeast Ohio. These organizations generally welcome produce donations, but check before you donate to find out hours of operation and their donation procedures.

There are several ways to explore current camps, classes and programs offered by Shaker Recreation.

• Visit the Programs section of our website for a general overview.
• Download and read the PDF version of the catalog, which is published three times a year (spring/summer, fall and winter) and mailed to Shaker residents.
• Browse our online catalog (select Catalog).

To keep up with what’s happening at Shaker Recreation, including announcements about upcoming programs:

• Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest news and events.
• Sign up for Rec ENews.

There are three ways to sign up for any Recreation program, including camps.

• Online
• In-person: Thornton Park (3301 Warrensville Center Rd.) and/or Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building (3450 Lee Rd.). Proof of residency required: driver’s license, current utility bill, lease or purchase agreement. Existing pass or swipe card holders must present proof of residency on an annual basis in order to receive resident rates when purchasing new seasonal passes or swipe cards.
• Phone: 216-491-1295 or 216-491-1360. Have credit card information ready. All major credit cards are accepted.
• Registration Office Hours Thornton Park: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm, Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm.

Unfortunately, we do not pro-rate programs based on the time of enrollment. Some programs that are continuous have fees designed to allow for payment that is not affected by start dates.

If a spot opens up, you will receive a call from a Recreation Department staff member. You can also call Shaker Recreation at 216-491-1295 to check on your status.

Program locations are published in the printed recreation catalog and in our online catalog. You can also call Shaker Recreation at 216-491-1295 for location information.

You can find detailed information and schedules for summer camps in the Winter and Spring/Summer recreation catalogs, which are mailed to all residents in mid-November and mid-February. This information is also available in the online registration system (select Programs, then Summer Camps). Visit the Summer Camp page for additional information. 

Yes, financial assistance is available through the funds listed below.

The City of Shaker Heights Recreation Department offers annual youth scholarships through the Lynn Ruffner Recreation for Youth Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and can be applied to our summer programs or camps. Applications for scholarships are available at the start of each calendar year. To make a donation, please call Rachael Wooten at 216-491-2578.

The Shaker Schools Foundation offers two scholarship opportunities that may assist with activities offered through the Shaker Heights Recreation Department. The Level The Playing Field Youth Sports Scholarships are for students in grades 1 - 12 enrolled in the Shaker Heights City School District, and provide support for any of the various Shaker Heights youth sports leagues at any recreation or travel level. The Beyond The Desk Enrichment Scholarships are for students in grades 1- 12 enrolled in the Shaker Heights City School District, and provide financial assistance for participation in classes, camps, visual or performing arts groups, and more. For more information, visit the Shaker Schools Foundation website or call 216-295-4329.

It depends on the camp. You will receive an email from your camp’s director before camp starts. In general, campers should bring water, a lunch (if an all-day camp), and sunscreen (if the camp is outdoors).

You can find current schedules at our Thornton Park Ice Arena page.

Find current admission and rental fees at our Thornton Park Ice Arena page.

Yes. Find rates for non-residents at our Thornton Park Ice Arena page.

Thornton Park pool is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. During the season, you can find the pool schedule on the Thornton Park pool page of our website.

Check the Thornton Park pool page for admission fees. Note: Fee schedules are published in early January for the upcoming season. 

From our popular American Red Cross swim lessons to pool-based wellness programs, our Aquatics Program has something for everyone. Visit our online catalog or download the printed recreation catalog to view a list of current aquatics classes.  Private swim lessons are also available year-round. Contact the Recreation Department at 216-491-1295 to learn more.

Shaker Heights City Schools Closure
All Recreation Department activities held in school facilities will be cancelled. Thornton Park and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building will remain open and activities will proceed as scheduled. 

Shaker Heights City Schools Delayed Opening
Recreation Department activities within school facilities will operate on a normal schedule. Thornton Park and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building will open on time.

City of Shaker Heights Building Closures
Thornton Park and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building will be closed and activities cancelled. 

City of Shaker Heights Delayed Building Openings
Thornton Park and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building will open on a delayed scheduled.

For information on closures and delays, refer to the City’s Facebook page, the Shaker Schools website, or local radio and TV stations.

Refunds are available for class or program registration cancellations by registrants up to 3 business days prior to the first program meeting. A refund request must be completed. All refunds are subject to a processing fee based on the type of program. Please allow 2-4 weeks to process all claims.

All refunds are subject to a $10 processing fee. A $5 processing fee will be applied to Senior Programs. A $25 processing fee will be applied to Camps and Fall/Winter Hockey Program (Mighty Mites). A $125 processing fee will be applied to Fall/Winter Hockey Program (Bantam, Pee Wee, and Squirts).

The City of Shaker Heights does not necessarily endorse the opinions or business affiliations of the individuals who may teach recreation classes and programs.

The City of Shaker Heights is committed to providing access to recreational programming for all residents. If you or a member of your family has a special need, call 216-491-1295 to be connected to the appropriate Program Coordinator.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. All fees are due at the time of registration. All programs will have a minimum and maximum enrollment. Once a program has reached maximum enrollment, a waiting list is often available in the event that there are cancellations. Programs which have not met minimum enrollment 72 hours prior to the first class meeting will be cancelled. Participants will be notified by phone and/or email in the event of a class cancellation due to low enrollment. 

Recreation catalogs are published three times per year. Catalogs are mailed, at no charge, to residents of the Shaker City School District. Catalogs are also available at Thornton Park, the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building, City Hall, the Shaker Heights Main Library, and the Bertram Woods branch.

The public is allowed to kayak on Lower Lake only and must launch from the Shaker Heights side of the lake. Launching on the Cleveland Heights side is prohibited.

Yes! The City annually floods three pocket parks to create rinks for our residents use. Locations: corner of Fernway & Warrington, Southington & Woodbury, and Ashwood & Onaway. Bring your own skates.

Children are not allowed to play or ride in the street unless it has been barricaded for a block party.

All bicycle operators and passengers over the age of five must wear properly sized ANSI or SNELL approved helmets with fastened chinstraps. (Section 381.07) Bicyclists who ride on the street are required to have a front white-light lamp and rear red lamp. (Section 1173.06)

Residential garage sales should conform with these guidelines from the City’s zoning code:

• Location: All garage sale items must be located behind the front building setback line. This translates to the rear yard or behind the front (face) of a front facing, attached garage. A garage sale may not be located in the front yard.
• Duration: A garage sale may not last longer than two (2) days and may not be repeated more than four (4) times a year.
• Permit: There is no permit or license required from the City for a garage sale.

For additional information, call the Planning Department at 491-1430. Please refer to the Zoning Code for full ordinance requirements.

Such a vehicle may be parked in a driveway for no more than 15 days. Thereafter, any non-functioning vehicle must be stored out of sight in a garage or other enclosed building. See Sections 1151.16, 1151.17, and 1262.15(c) of Codified Ordinances.

Grass over six inches tall is a violation of the Housing Code and is classified as a nuisance. The City may issue a notice once in a growing season to the owner of a property that any violations of the ordinance may result in the City cutting the grass and sending the owner an invoice for the City’s cost, which will be, at minimum, $100. If the invoice is not paid, the amount is placed on the property taxes for that owner. (See Sections 1412.03 and 1411.25, and Chapter 107 of Codified Ordinances.)

Access them at Codified Ordinances.

Many types of noise disturbances are not permitted in Shaker Heights. View the complete ordinance. This includes the operation of any mechanically powered tool, other than a snow blower, between the hours of 9 pm and 7 am, Monday to Friday or before the hour of 9 am on Saturday and Sunday.

Only two types of outdoor swimming pools are permitted in Shaker Heights:

1. Below grade pools (i.e. in-ground). 
2. Children’s swimming pools that are a maximum of two feet deep and ten feet in diameter.

Hot tubs are also permitted in Shaker Heights, either below or above grade. Hot tubs may not exceed eight feet in exterior diameter (and seven feet in interior diameter) or four feet in depth or height as measured from finished grade. Hot tubs that exceed these size requirements are considered swimming pools.

View the ordinance (1262.17) for outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs in Shaker Heights.

Please note: No signs are permitted on the tree lawn or on public property (i.e. parks, medians, RTA stations). Signs placed in the right of way (tree lawn) or on public property will be removed by the City.

Residential lawn signs are allowed in the front yard setback 20 ft. from the sidewalk (toward the house). In addition:

The following rules for signs are from the Codified Ordinance Section 1250.04A:

• Residential lawn signs are allowed in the front yard setback 20 ft. from the sidewalk (toward the house).
• Signs cannot be more than 6 sq. ft. in size for an individual sign
• You may have more than one sign, but they cannot total more than 12 sq. ft. in size.
• Signs in the window or on the house have the same size requirements.
• Signs may be in place for 45 days at a time. After that, they should be removed or replaced.
• As noted, signs on the tree lawn or on public property (i.e. parks, RTA stations) are not permitted.

No special permit or license is required to rent a mobile game truck for a private event. The game truck must be parked on the street frontage immediately adjacent to the property where the private event is being held. The game truck may only park on the street during the event and must be parked in full compliance with all parking laws of the City.

Mobile food trucks may operate on a public street when part of a special event, including a block party. The organizers of the event must indicate their plans for the mobile food truck on either the Special Event Application form or the Block Party Registration form, depending on the type of event being planned. Food trucks must follow the guidelines outlined in 546.01 – 546.03, and 1111.05 of the City’s ordinances.

Please note that mobile ice cream trucks must have a Mobile Ice Cream Vendor License to do business in any manner in the City—whether on the street selling ice cream or at a special event.

Yes. Ice cream trucks operating within City limits must annually obtain a Mobile Ice Cream Vendor License from the Shaker Heights Police Dept. and also follow all guidelines outlined in 546.01 – 546.04 and 1111.05 of the City’s ordinances. In addition, the operator of an ice cream truck must have a valid Mobile Food License issued by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health or another authorized Health Department while operating in the City.

Violations of certain City laws (i.e., ordinances) at a residential property, or within 300 feet of the property, may be declared nuisances if they are engaged in by the owner, any occupant, or any guest of the owner or any occupant. If the police find that two or more violations occur within an 18-month period, the owner may be sent a notice declaring the property a “nuisance,” and then after a third violation, the police may send a notice and charge police response costs for the third and any subsequent violation within 18 months. (Chapter 109 of Codified Ordinances)

• Animal odor, noise
• Assault, menacing
• Criminal damaging, endangering, mischief
• Disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace
• Drug abuse
• Fireworks
• Gambling
• Health, safety, or sanitation
• Littering or deposition of waste
• Noise
• Obstruction of official business
• Sex offenses, public indecency, procuring, or prostitution
• Weapons, explosives, firearm, or handgun

Note that Domestic violence is not considered a criminal activity nuisance for which the owner may be charged.

Yes, the owner may file an appeal with the Chief of Police for any notice sent under this law within 30 days of the date of the notice. If the Chief determines the facts do not support the declaration of nuisance, the Chief will rescind the notice. If the Chief finds that the facts do support the declaration, the Board of Appeals will hear the appeal. An appeal will not stop the City from taking enforcement action or pursuing criminal prosecution.

On appeal, in order to overturn the nuisance declaration, the owner must show that:

• He/she had knowledge of the nuisance activity, but took action to stop the activity from occurring
• He/she had no knowledge, but as soon as he/she received notice, the owner took action to stop it from happening again.
• He/she was not the owner at the time of any one of the nuisance activities

The cost to owners is the hourly rate for each officer responding times 75% times number of hours (plus $20 per hour for the cruiser).

Discrimination in housing unfortunately still occurs – but it tends to be subtle. Reporting an incident like this in a timely manner is critical so that an investigation can begin. Sometimes, our office can engage an organization to conduct testing to determine whether discrimination based on race, or even familial status, occurred. Testing involves the use of trained volunteers to pose as persons interested in renting out that particular unit. If you think you encountered housing discrimination, call the Fair Housing Office.

No! Property owners are required to provide a reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities, so that they can have an equal opportunity to enjoy their dwelling unit.  Sometimes, this may mean doing something different for the person with a disability – such as making an accommodation to a usual rule or procedure  You have the right to request a reasonable accommodation from your housing provider.  Contact the Fair Housing Office to learn more.

While you are free to place an ad for your second floor vacancy, you must ensure that you follow the fair housing laws when creating your ad. It is a violation of fair housing laws to express a preference for a certain kind of tenant, or to specifically exclude protected classes of persons. For example, stating that only single or married people can apply would exclude families with kids, and that would be a fair housing violation. It’s a good practice when writing a rental ad to focus on the property itself and the amenities, not the kind of tenant you are seeking.

The City has its own Natural Gas Aggregation program for residents and small businesses of the City. Learn more about the program.

The City’s rate is typically a fixed rate for a certain period of time (such as for one or two years). The City’s current rate can be found on the Natural Gas Aggregation Program page.

The price is based on the market rates published on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) for natural gas, plus the adder negotiated with IGS.

No. It is not possible to guarantee that any rate will be the lowest over any particular period of time. The natural gas market is extremely volatile and is subject to many outside forces such as weather conditions and the overall economy, as well as to natural and man made disasters.

Yes, there is no cancellation charge for leaving the aggregation program for another supplier.

You will have to terminate your contract early or wait until your contract ends and then enroll in the City’s gas aggregation program. Please note that some suppliers charge an early-termination fee.   

On January 1, 2018, the City of Shaker Heights closed its Health Department and joined the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH). The services offered through the County are identical to those formerly offered by the City except for blood pressure screenings.

The decision to close was made because of State of Ohio requirements that all city health departments become accredited by 2020. Achieving accreditation would have required substantial additional resources and reorganization. Please email CAO Jeri Chaikin or call at 216-491-1421 if you have any questions.

Please contact the CCBH at 216-201-2000 to learn how to obtain health services, including those available at the County’s new Eastside clinic at South Pointe Hospital, 20000 Harvard Avenue in Warrensville Heights.

Visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Health's website or call the CCBH at 216-201-2000 to learn how to obtain health services, including those available at the County's Eastside clinic at South Pointe Hospital, 20000 Harvard Road in Warrensville Heights. Services are also available at CCBH's main office (5550 Venture Drive, Parma, OH 44130) or at the Lyndhurst Community Center (1341 Parkview Drive
Lyndhurst, OH 44124).

Shaker residents who need certified copies of birth or death records should contact the City of Cleveland Vital Statistics Office at 601 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 or call at 216-664-2317.

Yes. Please view our Food Distribution calendar for upcoming events in and near Shaker Heights. In addition, there are three Little Free Pantries within City limits. These are located at:

• Plymouth Church and Heights Christian Church, 2860 Coventry Rd. — LFP is located in the parking lot.
• Eastview United Church of Christ, 17300 Van Aken Blvd. — LFP is behind the church, off Winslow Rd.
• Christ Episcopal Church, 3445 Warrensville Center Rd. — LFP is behind church.

Little Free Pantries also accept donations. Donated items should be non-perishable (canned or jarred goods, dry goods etc.). Please leave your donation inside the LFP. 

The City provides a variety of services for seniors, including transportation. Click here to learn more.

In addition, residents can dial 2-1-1 from their phone to reach United Way of Greater Cleveland. Counselors are available to help seniors (and their families) connect with state and local services they may be eligible for. 

All exterior changes or additions to a building or structure on a property require ABR approval.

The board meets on the first and third Monday of the month. Meetings are held in the morning and begin at 8:00 a.m. Visit Architectural Board of Review for the current meeting schedule and information about appearing before the Board.

A complete submission, including several specific details and plans, must be submitted by the deadline for the meeting at which you would like to appear. Visit Architectural Board of Review for the current meeting schedule and information about appearing before the Board. 

Sheds less than 200 square feet

A shed of less than 200 square feet does not require a Building Permit, but still must comply with design review and zoning regulations and review is required.

For a shed of less than 200 square feet, please provide:

• Site plan showing the distance to the property lines from the sides of the structure.
• Photos of the area where the shed will be placed along with the house for context.
• Drawings/plans/specs/brochure that show construction including exterior materials, including color, and final structure height.
• $15 design review fee.

Sheds more than 200 square feet

For a storage structure of more than 200 square feet see above and the following is required:

• Architectural Board of Review Application and fees
• Completed Building Permit application and fees
• Foundation plan.

Additional requirements for all sheds

• A shed is permitted in the rear yard only (storage structure per zoning ordinance).
• A shed requires a 3 to 5 foot setback from the rear and side property lines depending on your zoning district and a 10 foot setback from the house.
•  A shed is limited to 10 feet in height.

Submit your shed application

Submit your application through our online application portal and Planning Department staff will review on behalf of the Architectural Board of Review and for zoning compliance. There is a $15 review fee that will be assessed once the shed is approved. Questions? Contact Dan Feinstein in the Planning Dept.

The Board meets on the first Tuesday of the month. Find the current schedule on the Landmark Commission page.

A complete submission, including several specific details and plans, must be submitted by the submission deadline. Find application materials on the Landmark Commission page. For questions, call 491-1430.

The Landmark Commission must review all exterior changes proposed for individual landmarks and properties located in the Winslow Road and Shaker Square local landmark districts. This includes building changes and environmental/landscape changes. Visit the Landmark Commission page for additional information or call 216-491-1436.

Visit the HistoricShaker.com to:

• Access ShakerBuildings.com, where you can look up the original building card for your Shaker home.
• Visit the Cleveland Historical website to view information about nearly 50 landmark properties in Shaker Heights. 

The City offers several grant programs for eligible seniors, including the:

• Senior Exterior Maintenance Grant to help fix exterior housing violations
• Senior Emergency Safety Grant is to help address health and/or safety hazards 
• Free exterior paint program

A Housing Programs Specialist is available to provide free technical assistance and connect seniors with many resources. Income and location eligibility guidelines apply to all grant programs. For more information, call Theodore Darden IV, Neighborhood and Housing Specialist at 216-491-1333.

Yes. Eligible residents can apply for grants to help fix exterior housing violations. Free paint may also be available through the City's paint program. A Housing Programs Specialist is available to provide free technical assistance and connect you with many resources. Income and location eligibility guidelines apply to all grant programs. For more information, visit the Grant Programs page or call Theodore Darden IV, Neighborhood and Housing Specialist at 216-491-1333.

Free exterior paint is available to correct exterior paint violations. Homeowners must reside in the Ludlow, Moreland, Lomond or Sussex neighborhoods and meet income eligibility guidelines. To find out if you qualify, call Theodore Darden IV, Neighborhood and Housing Specialist at 216-491-1333.

The City offers a periodic Landlord Training Seminar and access to reduced cost tenant screening (highly recommended). Visit the Landlord Connection or call Theodore Darden IV, Neighborhood and Housing Specialist at 216-491-1333 for additional information.

Buyers of newly built homes in the Transit Village and Southern Moreland Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) may be eligible for a residential property tax abatement. Learn more about these CRAs and how to apply for a tax abatement at the Residential Property Tax Abatement page.

Brush refers to tree branches and cuttings from large shrubs. Please visit Leaves, Grass & Brush Collection for information on preparing brush for pick up by our crews.

Most likely because your yard waste bag was contaminated with a non-organic item. The City will not collect yard waste bags contaminated with non-organic materials. Crews will place stickers reading "Unable to Pick Up" on contaminated bags. Residents may remove the contamination and place the bag out for delivery the following week. View a video about what belongs in yard-waste bags (and what doesn't). Visit Leaves, Grass & Brush Collection for more information.

Crews will also not collect yard waste bags that exceed the 40 pound weight limit.

The City collects yard waste from your tree lawn. View Leaves, Grass & Brush Collection to learn more.

If you are selling a residential property in Shaker Heights, you are required to obtain a Point of Sale inspection prior to entering into a contract with a buyer. Prior to transfer, either all violations identified during that inspection must be corrected, or funds equal to 150 percent of the estimated cost of repairs must be placed in an escrow account held by the City. Please view Point of Sale Procedure for more information.

If you are selling a residential property in Shaker Heights, you are required to obtain a Point of Sale inspection prior to entering into a contract with a buyer. The Point of Sale inspection is an interior and exterior inspection of your property conducted by a inspector employed by the City. Please view Point of Sale Procedure for more information.

On an average size and condition single-family home, the inspection should take between 1½ and 2 hours. The owner, realtor or another adult must be present the entire time the inspector is on the premises. The only exception would be if a house is vacant and there is no furniture or personal items. If there is a lock box and the code is provided, the inspector can enter the dwelling and conduct the inspection.

If no violations identified at Initial Inspection:

A Certificate of Compliance will be issued and will be valid for the purposes of transfer for 24 months.  

If violations identified at Initial Inspection:

A Certificate of Inspection will be issued and will be valid for the purposes of transfer for 24 months.  Please note that violations must be corrected within ninety (90) days unless, for good cause, an extension of time is approved by the Building and Housing Department.  

If violations identified, and are subsequently corrected by the seller prior to transfer:

Once all violations are corrected, the City will issue a Certificate of Compliance.  However, irrespective of the Certificate of Compliance issuance date, the Certificate will still only be valid for transfer for 24 months from the date of the original inspection. 

Yes. View current fees on the Point of Sale Procedure page.

Sellers are advised to allow at least two weeks from the date of application for the Point of Sale inspection and three to four weeks during the busy spring real estate season. All inspection reports are typically issued within 10 business days.. 

In order to allow for sufficient time for the inspection process and to ensure adequate time to correct any violations, property owners are encouraged to obtain a Point of Sale inspection prior to placing their home on the market.

Please call the Building and Housing staff at 216-491-1471 and request to be placed on our cancellation list. Provide your phone number and we will call you if there is an opening before your scheduled date.

Yes, however an escrow account must be established with the City and funds equal to 150 percent of the estimated cost of repairs must be held on deposit.  The repair estimate must be provided by a contractor licensed to do business in Shaker Heights and submitted for review. The person establishing the escrow account must apply online at www.citizenserve.com/shaker

An escrow account must be established for all Point of Sale violations existing at the time of transfer and funds equal to 150 percent of the estimated cost of repairs must be deposited. The City will issue a transfer authorization when an escrow account has been approved.

Yes. Once the City has made an inspection and identified code violations, those items must be corrected.

Please use our online form to request an extension. Extensions are usually based on progress made. Therefore, a reinspection may be required before addressing the extension request. The Assistant Director will review your situation and respond back to you in writing.

All inspectors wear photo Identification (I.D.) badges on their outer clothing and drive marked City cars. They are required to come to your door and announce their visit before commencing the inspection.

No, Point of Sale inspections are only required for residential properties on which structures are located.

Only if there is a note on the report stating an area is unable to be inspected and will be inspected at a later date. An example would be snow cover during the winter months that prevents the inspection of roofs, driveways, etc. Once the snow melts, the area can be inspected and if violations are found, they will be added to the inspection report as supplemental items. Another example is if stored items prevent an inspection of a room.   If there are no notes on the inspection report indicating an item or area will be inspected at a later date, then violations cannot be added to the inspection report.

Yes, within 30 days of transfer you must apply for a Point of Sale and obtain a Certificate of Inspection.  However, an escrow account will not be required.

No. Homeowners may pull a permit only for work you are doing yourself or if paying a licensed contractor to do the work. The City requires that anyone doing permit work in the City be insured. Homeowners pulling their own permits must complete a homeowner's affidavit as part of the permit application process.

Applications for building permits must be submitted online on the City's CitizenServe platform, where you can apply, pay for and track the status of applications 24/7. 

The cost of permits vary depending upon the work that is planned. View the permit fee schedule.

Most construction activity beyond the application of finishes (paint, flooring, window coverings) requires a permit (plan approval). Apply for building permits on the City's CitizenServe platform.

Construction Activity Not Requiring a Permit

The below list specifically details what type of construction work is exempt from a permit.  Please note that certain exterior modifications, additions, and landscape structures require Planning Department approval, even if the work is exempt from Building Department approval and permit requirements. 

Building

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet ( 11.15 m²) and playground structures.  However, Planning Department approval is still required.
• Retaining walls which are not over four feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.  However, Planning Department approval is required.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand gallons (18 927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one. However, Planning Department approval is required. 
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work where plumbing or electrical fixtures are not being replaced. Replacing cabinets or counters AND installing plumbing or electrical fixtures in the same location WILL require an approval (permit). 
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one, two, or three-family dwelling. Zoning location regulations apply. Check with Planning Department.
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support. However, Planning Department approval is required.
• Unattached decks not exceeding 200 square feet ( 18.58 m²) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the exit door required " by section 311.2 of the Residential Code of Ohio. However, Planning Department approval is still be required.
• Flat at grade patios. Planning Department approval only required if patio is attached to a driveway.
• Above-ground storage tanks as defined in rule 4101:8-2-01 of the Administrative Code and the associated tank foundations. However, Planning Department Approval is required.
• Battery operated smoke or carbon monoxide alarms installed in existing buildings where no construction is taking place.

Electrical

• Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
• Re-installation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets thereof.
• Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity and type in the same location.
• Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
• Repairs and Maintenance: Approval shall not be required for minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
• Electrical wiring equipment not connected to building services equipment in and adjacent to natural or artificially made bodies of water as defined in Article 682 of the NFPA 70 as referenced in Chapter 44.

Gas

• Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances.
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
• Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
• Gas distribution piping owned and maintained by public or municipal utilities and located upstream of the point of delivery.

Mechanical

• Portable heating appliances.
• Portable ventilation equipment.
• Portable cooling units.
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
• Replacement of any part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
• Portable evaporative cooler.
• Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds ( 4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of one horsepower (746 W) or less.
• Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
• Heating and cooling distribution piping owned and maintained by public or municipal utilities.

Plumbing

• The repair of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain-pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and an approval shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
• The clearance of stoppages or the repair of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and re-installation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement of more than one fixture or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

Emergency Repairs

Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, an application for approval shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.

Minor Repairs

Minor repairs to residential structures may be made without application or notice to the residential building official. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof; the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety. Exterior modifications require design review with the Planning Department.  Please check with the Planning Department before proceeding with exterior modifications.

Many building projects require a building plan review as part of the permitting process. Three sets of drawings are required for building plan review. All commercial plans must be stamped by a registered architect. Residential plans must conform to specifications outlined in the Building Code. Learn more about the building plan review.

Most construction projects require a permit regardless of whether structural changes are made. Learn more.

Most kitchen and bathroom remodels require permits (approvals). A counter or cabinet installation where plumbing and electrical work is not impacted likely does not require a permit. However, if replacing/installing a counter installation with a sink or a cabinet installation where there is a built-in oven/range or dishwasher does require a permit. Learn more.

Kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, replacement of driveways, garages, mechanical equipment (furnaces, A/C, boilers, water heater, etc.) all require permits (approvals). There are certain limited exceptions, such as simple replacements of light fixtures or switches. Learn more.

All modifications, renovations, or additions to anywhere on the exterior of your property require approval from the Planning Department and may require approval from the Architectural Board of Review.  This includes projects like roof, window, door replacement, or landscape structures. 

Projects that are interior only, require approval from the Building Department.

Permits protect you and your family by ensuring that work done at your property meets required building codes. That’s because our certified inspectors inspect all permitted work in the City to make sure it meets those codes. Furthermore, it is a violation of City ordinances not to obtain permits where they are required. Not obtaining a permit could result in a fine and require you to repair – at your own expense – any work that is not in compliance with required building codes. If any work has been covered, electrical wiring by drywall for instance, you will be required to expose the work for inspection.

You can request an inspection by:

• Scheduling it on CitizenServe, where you applied for your permit.
• Calling 216-491-1461
• Emailing building@shakeronline.com

In order to move into a commercial space in Shaker Heights, you must have a Business License (Commercial Occupancy Permit). Learn more at our Business License page. Additional information and resources can be found in the Opening a Business section of the website.

Food licenses are issued through the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBOH). You are responsible for obtaining this license. Visit the CCBOH website for information about the food licensing process.

View our guide to Opening a Business for detailed information.

No. A business must have a fully executed Business License (Commercial Occupancy Permit) before moving into a commercial building. If you are not the property owner, it will be necessary to work with the property owner on the completion of the application.

Yes. The Business License (Commercial Occupancy Permit)  must be renewed every two years. Learn more at our Business License page.

Yes. A Business License (Commercial Occupancy Permit) is required for all businesses, even if the primary business in the building already has one.

“Tobacco product” means any product that is made from tobacco or derived from tobacco or that contains nicotine, whether natural or synthetic, that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, chewed, snorted, sniffed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-liquids, cigars, little cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus. “Tobacco Product” also means electronic devices, including any device that can be used to deliver aerosolized or vaporized nicotine or any other substance to the person inhaling from the device including, but not limited to, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vapor products, or ehookahs. “Tobacco Product” includes any component part, or accessory used in the consumption of tobacco products, whether or not it contains nicotine including, but not limited to, filters, cartridges, pods, pens, rolling papers, or pipes. “Tobacco Product” does not include any of the following:

(1)   Any product that is a “drug” as that term is defined in 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1);

(2)   Any product that is a “device” as that term is defined in 21 U.S.C. 321(h); or

(3)   Any product that is a “combination product” as described in 21 U.S.C. 353(g)

View instructions for how contractors can become licensed with the City.

View the City's database of licensed contractors.

Unfortunately, no. This would be a conflict of interest and is prohibited by the State. There are however several resources available to you as a Shaker resident: 

• Home Repair Resource Center: Located in Cleveland Heights, HRRC can help you select a contractor and you can read reviews of contractors written by other Shaker Heights residents.
• Cleveland Restoration Society: Located in Cleveland, CRS can discuss your project with you and recommend qualified contractors.
• Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations. 
• Use online contractor review websites.

Remember any contractor performing work that requires a permit, exterior painting, landscaping, or hot work activity is required to be registered with the City. The list of currently licensed contractors can be accessed here.

No. The City requires contractors to meet certain insurance, bond, and Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board requirements based on the type of contractor license.

Your relationship with the contractor is a contractual one. Violation of the contract should be referred to the police or an attorney. While the Building Department will pursue code violations a contractor may commit, violation of a contract is outside the Department's jurisdiction. The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs also provides resources and assistance for County residents with complaints against businesses, including contractors.

Limits of Bodily Injury Liability Insurance are not less than $500,000/$1,000,000 or $2,000,000 aggregate. Property Damage Liability Insurance is not less than $50,000.

Yes, provided the contractor's license has not previously been suspended. The contractor will be required to obtain a license prior to a permit being issued or performing exterior painting or landscaping.

You must obtain a Housing Rental License (Certificate of Occupancy) because part of the home is tenant occupied.

You are required to submit a Certificate of Occupancy Exemption Form. Effective 2021, this form must be submitted online via the City’s Citizenserve portal. Visit the Housing Rental License page for instructions on submitting an exemption form.

The Housing Code requires owners of all rental property to annually obtain a Housing Rental License and all owners of two-family dwellings to annually obtain either a Housing Rental License or an Exemption.

The City offers a periodic Landlord Training Seminar and access to reduced cost tenant screening (highly recommended). Visit the Landlord Connection page to learn more or contact Theo Darden, Neighborhood and Housing Specialist, for additional information.

Find instructions on the Housing Rental License page.

New landlords must obtain a Housing Rental License for their rental property, as well as an interior inspection of the property. City resources for landlords can be found on the Landlord Connection page.

Short term rentals (30 days or less), such as through services like AirBnB and VRBO, are illegal uses in the City, and are prohibited.

If the property owner lives at their property as their primary residence, one roomer is permitted per the City’s zoning code and the property is still classified as “owner occupied.” Thus, no rental license is required. Otherwise, an owner may not rent to more than one person at a time.

If the owner of the property does NOT reside there, the owner may not rent out the property for less than 30 days, to multiple people, throughout the year. That would make the use of the property similar to a hotel, which is prohibited per our zoning ordinances. Rentals for less than 30-days in non-owner-occupied property are NOT permitted in Shaker Heights.

If the owner of the property does NOT reside at the property, and rents out the property for periods of 30 days or more, to multiple people, this is permitted.  A non-owner occupied property that is rented for a period of 30 days or longer is classified as a rental unit. This triggers the requirements that the property owner obtain a housing rental license (certificate of occupancy) plus an interior/exterior inspection. 

Unfortunately, no. This would be a conflict of interest and is prohibited by the State. There are however several resources available to you as a Shaker resident: 

• Home Repair Resource Center: Located in Cleveland Heights, HRRC can help you select a contractor and you can read reviews of contractors written by other Shaker Heights residents.
• Cleveland Restoration Society: Located in Cleveland, CRS can discuss your project with you and recommend qualified contractors.
• Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations. 
• Use online contractor review websites.

Remember any contractor performing work that requires a permit, exterior painting, landscaping, or hot work activity is required to be registered with the City. The list of currently registered contractors can be accessed here.

In general, you'll want to understand the City's building requirements before starting your construction project. Please view the Home & Property Improvements guide to get started.

Your relationship with the contractor is a contractual one. Violation of the contract should be referred to the police or an attorney. While the Building Department will pursue code violations a contractor may commit, violation of a contract is outside the Department's jurisdiction. The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs also provides resources and assistance for County residents with complaints against businesses, including contractors.

The minimum maintenance standards for commercial and residential properties are outlined in the Codified Ordinances of the City of Shaker Heights and can be found below:

The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission maintains a list of specialty contractors (PDF) with experience in repairing original building materials. The Cleveland Restoration Society is another wonderful resource for information about original materials for your older home. Talk to your neighbors and get references! Visit the Landmark Commission page for additional resources.

All residential work that requires a building permit must be inspected for compliance with the Residential Code of Ohio. Likewise, all commercial buildings must comply with the Ohio Buidling Code. View a complete list of applicable codes.

The Historic Building Cards database includes information gathered from over 10,000 index cards formerly housed in the Building department. The original cards were created for each new building in Shaker Heights and typically include information such as the date the home was built, the names of the home's architect, builder, original owner, and the estimated cost to build the home. To find your home's information, visit Shaker Building Card Index. The City only retains residential plans for a period of three years. However, local history archives at the Shaker Library may have plans for your home.

The national safety standard recommendation is that chimneys, fireplaces and vents should be checked annually. If unused for some time, or if you have just moved into a new house, then they should be checked first. Use a certified chimney sweep who brushes from the top down (not just from the inside). A certified sweep will also put a camera or a mirror down the chimney first to check the condition of the flue liners.

Please use our online form to submit a property complaint. While we would prefer to have your name and phone number so we can contact you with any questions, we will take and investigate anonymous complaints.

In any home built before 1978, lead paint may be present. Lead can be in paint or in the water as a result of leaching from older pipes.

• Lead in Paint: Read this important EPA brochure to familiarize yourself with the risks of lead-based paint and how to ensure your renovations are following lead-safe practices. Additional information for homeowners, and state-required certification information for contractors can be found online at the EPA’s Renovation page. Registered contractors who have been certified by the EPA through the Renovation, Repair and Painting Program can be found by selecting "lead certified" from the registered contractor listing.
• Lead in Water: Cleveland Water provides detailed information about lead pipes and the safety of the water supply on their website.

Any construction work that creates a noise disturbance in a residential area is not permitted during the following times:

Monday–Friday, 7 pm to 7 am

Saturday and Sunday, 5 pm to 9 am

 Under certain circumstances, a variance to work outside of the permitted hours may be granted on a case-by-case basis. To request a variance, please email or call Shaker Heights Police Commander Mike Rowe at 216-491-1245. Include dates and hours for the work, equipment used, location, and a justification for your request.

The City does not regulate paint colors.  However, Shaker Village Colors (PDF), a publication describing historic home colors, is available for download at no charge. This book describes the architectural styles prevalent in Shaker Heights and provides appropriate paint schemes for each. You may purchase a printed copy of the book in the Planning Department office for $6.50.

Abrasive cleaning methods (sandblasting) are not safe for historic masonry. Chemical cleaners are another option for cleaning your historic masonry. Do not use in cold weather (same hazards as water cleaning). Test first: Chemicals can stain, etch, or burn the surface. Always rinse thoroughly and test the surface for a neutral pH.

Acidic Cleaners

Use on non-acid sensitive masonry, such as:

• Cast stone
• Concrete
• Granite
• Most sandstone
• Slate
• Unglazed terra cotta

Alkaline Cleaners

Use on acid-sensitive masonry, such as:

• Glazed brick
• Glazed terra cotta
• Limestone
• Marble
• Polished granite

Paint removal is most successful with alkaline, organic solvent, or other chemical paint removers.

Please see the pre-approved shingle colors (PDF) for general shingle color guidelines. Please call 491-1430 for complete information.

Freezing and Thawing Damages

Use binoculars to see what's going on in the fall, before the freeze/thaw cycles; in the spring, see what the freeze/thaw did to your roof, checking for loose, cracked or missing slates.

Check for Leaks

It is also important to look in the attic for evidence of leaks, and to make sure gutters and downspouts are in good working order. If there is a leak, it is often the metal flashing at the seams, valleys and ridges of the roof is the real culprit. Slates usually outlive their flashing. Even copper flashing, the best in the business, typically lasts only 60 years (a spry and youthful age for most types of slate). Often, slate and wood shingle roofs are removed because of problems with flashings.

Costs

Sindelar, who coordinated a City-sponsored workshop on slate and shake shingles in 2001, cautions that before replacing a slate roof with something else, "You have to look at the economics of it." Because building codes prohibit putting new roofing material over a slate roof, the existing slates must be removed before their replacement may be laid down. That cost should be factored in.

According to the National Park Service, if over 20% of the slates on a roof or roof slope are broken, cracked, missing or sliding out of position, it is usually less expensive to replace the roof than to execute individual repairs. This is especially true of older roofs nearing the end of their serviceable lives, because even the most experienced slater will likely damage additional slates while attempting repairs.

The slates reaching the end of their serviceable lives are flaking and crumbling. At that point layers of mud that make up the slate are separating.

Slate is one of the three original, acceptable roofing materials for new homes constructed by the Van Sweringen company. The City urges owners of homes with slate roofs to maintain them and consider carefully before replacing them with any other material.

Longevity of Slate

Slate roofs can last 200 years or longer, depending on the type of slate used, the configuration of the roof and the geographical location of the property, according to a bulletin published by the Technical Preservation Services arm of the National Park Service. By contrast, the average life span of an asphalt roof is about 30 years.

Two additional factors help determine a slate roof's life span: how the roof was installed and how well it has been maintained. In Ohio, well-maintained slate roofs on farmhouses and barns often date to the late 1700's.

Wood Windows

Wood windows are the soundest option. They are structurally strong, weather well against the elements (many Shaker Heights homes still have their original windows, which are averaging 80 years old), and they allow flexibility with exterior and interior color schemes. Wood windows are also available with aluminium cladding on the exterior to increase weather resistance and lower maintenance.

Vinyl Windows

The installation of vinyl windows can have a significant visual impact on a house. The color selections are limited and the frames of the windows are wider, as vinyl is not as strong as wood. The wide frames make the new windows look very heavy and can create an unbalanced proportion to the appearance of the house. Shop around. Window replacements, regardless of material, can be an expensive project. Paying a little more up front for quality materials, flexibility in color and increased details will ultimately add value to your home.

Vinyl windows are not permitted in local landmark properties or districts.

Not necessarily.  Often only the defective parts of a window may actually need repair or replacement. Consult with contractors who specialize in older window repair before replacing the entire unit. Repair of existing windows is often far less expensive than replacement.

The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission maintains a list of specialty contractors (PDF) with experience in repairing original building materials such as wood windows.

Before undertaking any project, look at your house critically. Notice the fine details of craftsmanship and compare the new product against what is currently installed on your home. How drastic is the proposed change? There are a large number of window manufacturers that fabricate new wood windows that replicate those fine profiles found on older windows.

Another important thing to do is determine the architectural style of your house. Most Shaker houses fall into one of three broad architectural styles: English, French and Colonial. Traditionally, the windows are the same color as the trim on the house. Shaker Village Colors (PDF) describes these styles of architecture (along with other common styles) and shows the appropriate color schemes for these styles of houses.

No. The City requires contractors to meet certain insurance, bond, and Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board requirements based on the type of contractor registration.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining the public sidewalk adjacent to their property. The Public Works Department manages the City’s sidewalk repair program. Please view the Sidewalks page for detailed information.

Certain repairs require permits; others do not. Start by viewing our list of projects that do NOT require building permits. If your project is not on this list, then visit Building Permits to get started with your permit applications.

Many residents receive solicitations from utility companies offering utility line protection, a type of insurance policy that’s also called a “home protection program” and a “utility line warranty.” This additional protection covers the cost of repairs to utility lines that run to or inside a home. Insurance and warranty plans are offered by all major utility companies, including FirstEnergy (Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.), Dominion Gas, Cleveland Division of Water, and IGS Energy, as well as other providers.

Determine Whether You Need Utility Line Insurance

Consider the following before purchasing utility line insurance:

• Check with your homeowner’s insurance agent to see what’s covered by your policy. Most, for example, do not cover sewer backups, though homeowners can purchase a special rider. Shaker homeowners should consider this additional policy.
• Ask neighbors whether they have had to schedule repairs or replacements. If a neighborhood’s pipes and lines are original and residents have had to make replacements, purchasing a plan might be in order.
• Understand what a particular program covers. For example, the Cleveland Division of Water’s exterior protection program covers water and sewer lines. Other providers have plans that cover electric lines, gas lines, furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and water heaters.

Home Repair Emergency Fund

An alternative to utility line insurance is for homeowners to set aside a budgeted amount of money each month as a home repair emergency fund. This enables consumers to select their own contractors, rather than defaulting to the insurance provider’s contractors. Of course, homeowners who decide to purchase utility line insurance always should shop around, speak to several providers, and reference the Better Business Bureau.

Cost

Rates vary and some are packaged together while others offer each service separately with individual monthly rates for each service. Some companies charge $3 to $10 per month. Others offer a one-time annual payment of $36 to $120. Fees usually cover $1,000 to $4,000 in applicable repairs or replacements. Most policies have a cap on the amount of coverage provided.

Coverage

Coverage depends on the provider. Generally, only repair or replacement of a line or appliance is covered, not damage to personal property caused by a leak or break. For sewer coverage, most only cover sanitary sewer lines, not storm sewers. Typically, the following situations are NOT covered:

•     Clogged sewer lines
•   Damage caused by freezing if the line was not properly heated
•     Damage caused by natural events, such as a flood
•     Damage to a line caused by the homeowner or a third party (e.g, a contractor)
•     Pre-existing conditions

Find more information on Home Utility Line Insurance Programs from the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

The following information is from Cleveland Water’s website: Discolored water is common whenever the water velocity or flow direction changes, like during hydrant flushing or repair work on water mains. Iron sediment from older cast iron mains is picked up by the water and shows up as orange or brown discoloration. In these situations, the water is safe to drink. However, use care as the iron sediment can stain laundry and plumbing fixtures. Once any work or flushing is complete, run your cold water faucet until the water is clear again.

View all Cleveland Water FAQs.

Most building projects require a plan review. Per state codes, both residential and commercial projects require a plan review to ensure that the proposed work conforms to the building codes. Plans are reviewed by the building code plans examiner; depending on the scope of the project, plans may also be reviewed by the Planning Department, Fire Department, Public Works Department, and the City Engineer. Once an approval is granted and the fees have been paid, the permits will be issued, authorizing construction to begin. Please note:

• Plans and re-submissions are reviewed in the order in which they’re received.
• Per state code, each plan review submission will take 30 days or less. The scope and scale of the project influence the time required for review. 
• Residential alterations are typically reviewed within three to five business days.
• New homes, substantial additions, site changes, and all commercial plans typically take between 10 and 20 business days.

Learn More about Plan Reviews

The plan review process depends on the type of project. Projects that affect only the interior of an existing structure require review only by the Department of Building & Housing. Projects that affect the exterior of the structure — including new construction and projects affecting both the interior and exterior (i.e. additions) — require an additional review by the Architectural Board of Review (ABR). Specifically:

Exterior & New Construction Projects

Any modifications or additions to the exterior of a building (residential or commercial) and all new construction projects require review and approval by the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) before being reviewed for code compliance by the Department of Building & Housing.

The ABR’s review ensures changes to the exterior appearance of buildings in Shaker Heights maintain the high standard of architectural quality in the community. The Planning Department manages this process for the ABR. 

Please also note:

• Certain exterior changes, such as commonly installed types of fences, can be approved by staff in the Planning Department. Please call the Planning Department at 216-491-1430 to inquire about your project.
• Not all projects going before the ABR are approved at the first meeting, and you may need to appear before the board a second or third time. You’ll want to be sure to take the timing of the ABR meeting dates into consideration when planning your project.

Get started with the Architectural Board of Review process.

Interior

Alterations to the interior only of a building (residential or commercial) require a plan review by only the Department of Building & Housing. Certain projects, such as concrete work, repaving, roofs, fences, hot water heaters, HVAC, and other simple projects can be submitted without plans and are typically approved on the spot, provided proper documentation is included. If you are unsure if your project requires plans, please call us at 216-491-1461.

You must submit a Building Permit Application to initiate the plan review process with the Department of Building & Housing.

In order to ensure a thorough and timely review of your Building Permit Application, please make sure your plans meet the minimum requirements. Three sets of drawings are required. All commercial plans must be stamped by a state registered design professional. View minimum residential plan requirements.

Residential

Scaled drawings are required for most residential projects, except roofs, windows, and mechanical equipment. Installation/replacement of HVAC equipment requires load calculations (instructions are on the permit application). An architect is not required for residential projects, but is recommended for large projects and additions. Include cut sheets for any new equipment or devices. Written narratives of the proposed work is often necessary to fully explain the scope of the work.  View a complete list of residential plan requirements.

Commercial

Yes.  Plans for commercial projects must be prepared and stamped by a state licensed design professional.

In the absence of health or safety violations, the standard compliance period is 90 days.

Please use our online form to request an extension. Extensions are usually based on progress made. Therefore, a reinspection may be required before addressing the extension request. We will review your situation and respond back to you in writing.

Please contact Clifford Scott by email or by calling 216-491-1474.  If you and he are unable to resolve the issue over the phone, Mr. Scott can meet you at the site to review the violation. If after meeting Mr. Scott, you still disagree, you may file a formal appeal with the Board of Appeals. Refer to your violations notice for the appeals process.

The first step is to talk to your inspector. His or her phone number is on page 1 of your report. If, after discussing it on the phone, you and the inspector would like to meet, please call 216-491-1471 to schedule an advisory appointment.

The City requests that homeowners prioritize health and safety violations and those that negatively impact the appearance of the property. If you are experiencing financial difficulties or other life challenges, please contact Neighborhood & Housing Specialist Theodore Darden.

While the City is sensitive to individual situations and makes every effort to work with property owners to develop reasonable repair plans, violations must be corrected. Property owners who neglect their maintenance responsibilities or allow their properties to become a blight on the neighborhood are subject to both criminal and civil penalties including prosecution and nuisance abatement intervention. Certainly, those are options the City prefers to avoid, so please convey your intentions if repair progress is limited so there is no confusion as to your plans.

Following are the steps to take when you have no heat, no running water, and/or no hot water in your rental property. Ohio Landlord/Tenant law requires the landlord to supply the dwelling unit with running water, reasonable amounts of hot water, and reasonable heat at all times (Ohio Revised Code §5321.04(A)(6)). The City of Shaker Heights, through its Housing Code, establishes the minimum standards necessary to make all dwelling structures safe, sanitary, and habitable. If a rental unit has no running water, no hot water, or no heat, that may result in an emergency situation requiring an immediate response by the landlord.

The first step if your heat is out (or not working properly), or you do not have any running water, or no hot water, is to contact your landlord/property manager and ask them to repair it.

If your landlord/property manager does not make the repair, you can contact the City’s Building and Housing Department for code enforcement. Click here to access the property complaint form or call 216-491-1471, or email us.

The City will schedule an appointment with you for a City inspector to inspect your rental property. For no heat complaints, the inspector will take measurements of the temperature in your rental unit. The temperature of habitable rooms is required to be not less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit whenever the outside temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (Codified Ordinances of the City of Shaker Heights, §1411.12). If the heat is not 70 degrees or greater as measured at the center of the room about three feet off the floor, the City may cite the property owner.

If the problem is related to lack of running water and/or no hot water, an inspection appointment will also be necessary so that an inspector can confirm the status of the water supply. Every dwelling unit must have hot and cold running water at all sinks, tubs and showers (COCSH §1411.09).  

Note that the City cannot cite a landlord/property manager for a code violation if you do not provide access to your unit for this inspection.

Also, note that the change in seasons can dramatically affect certain types of heating systems. For example, multi-family units with boiler systems may be automatically programmed to start running based on exterior temperature; fluctuations in outside temperatures that typically occur in both the fall and spring may result in less than desirable interior temperatures for a short period of time, but these periods usually do not last long. It can take these systems 24-36 hours to heat up after the boiler is fired up for the first time, and the same amount of time to cool down as temperatures rise outside. However, repeated, prolonged issues with temperature adjustment may be indicative of a larger problem – and a call to your landlord as noted above may be in order. Please note, there is no state or local law requiring landlords to provide air conditioning.  

Remember that space heaters should NEVER be used as sole sources of heat for your apartment, and stove tops/ovens should never be used as a heat source, as they can be serious fire hazards to you and your neighbors.    

Additional Resources

In addition to asking the City to take code enforcement action, tenants can also take legal action to ensure repairs to heat and other critical systems are made by their landlord/tenant. Please use the resources below to learn more.

• Getting Your Landlord to Make Repairs (Ohio Legal Help)
• My Apartment Needs Repairs. What Do I Do? (Cleveland Legal Aid)

The City's property maintenance inspection programs play a vital role in preserving the safety, character, and quality of Shaker's residential and commercial properties. Safe and well-maintained buildings protect property values and contribute to the community's overall stability. Learn more about Owner-Occupied Inspections.

Every five years, a housing inspector will perform an exterior inspection of your home, garage, and yard areas. You do not need to schedule this inspection. You will be notified by mail prior to the start of inspections and then again after the inspection about any violations that have been identified. The standard compliance period for correction of code violations is 90 days. If the violation presents a health or safety risk a shorter time frame will apply.

An inspector will reinspect the property after the compliance date to determine the status of the violations. There is no need to contact the Housing Dept. to schedule this inspection. Property owners who have corrected their violations will receive confirmation in writing. Extensions will be granted if progress is satisfactory but incomplete. Check the current schedule to find out when your property will next be inspected.

EV charging is available at the following locations:

• City Hall, 3400 Lee Rd. (2 ports)
• The Dealership, 3558 Lee Rd. (1 port)
• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd. (1 port)
• Thornton Park, 3301 Warrensville Center Rd. (2 ports)
• Van Aken District Parking Garage (2 ports)
• Larchmere Blvd., Parking lot at the corner of Larchmere and Kendall roads. (2 ports)
• Tesla Supercharger Station, Shaker Plaza (20040-20200 Van Aken Blvd)

More About the City's EV Chargers

• The EV chargers installed by the City (at City Hall, The Dealership, Thornton Park and Larchmere) are AC Level 2, capable of supplying up to 7.2kW through the industry-standard J-1772 connector. All electric vehicles can use this connector (including Tesla with its adapter).
• The City's EV chargers were installed using a grant from NOPEC. 
• The City's EV chargers are $0.20 per kWh, which covers the cost of the electricity for the City, while also keeping the price lower than commercial chargers. Please note, these chargers are revenue neutral for the City.
• The City's EV chargers are powered by the same 100% renewable electric program the City uses for public buildings and streetlights.

Short term rentals (less than 30 days), such as through services like AirBnB and VRBO, are illegal uses in the City, and are prohibited.

If the property owner lives at their property as their primary residence, one roomer is permitted per the City’s Zoning and Housing Codes only within the owner’s occupied dwelling unit. Thus, no rental license is required. However, rental to one roomer for less than 30 days is prohibited.

Keep in mind that in the case of an owner-occupied 2-family house, each unit is considered a separate dwelling unit. That second unit can be rented out – but not for less than 30 days. 

If the owner of the property does NOT reside at the property, and rents out the property for periods of 30 days or more, to multiple people, this is permitted.  A non-owner occupied property that is rented for a period of 30 days or longer is classified as a rental unit. This triggers the requirements that the property owner obtain a housing rental license (certificate of occupancy) plus an interior/exterior inspection. 

Residents may report short-term rentals using the property complaint form.

Yes, it can be placed on the house, behind the highest peak of the roof, not visible to the street. Please call 491-1430 for complete information.

Generally, at the rear of the house screened from view or in the front yard completely screened by shrubs. Please call the Planning Department at 216-491-1430 or see the Air Conditioning Regulations (PDF) guidelines for complete information.

Generally, it can be placed in the rear yard and be up to 6 feet tall. Landscape screening is required when visible to the street. Please call 491-1430 for complete information.

Yes. See Guidelines for Home Businesses (PDF).

Dumpsters should be located on the driveway in the rear yard area and are allowed while actively being used. If the truck dropping off the dumpster cannot fit up the driveway past the side of the house into the rear yard are, the dumpster shuold be located beside the house.

The City has offered residents and small businesses in Shaker Heights the option to participate in an opt-out electric aggregation program since 2001, when the City joined the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC). In November 2000, Shaker Heights voters passed by 77 percent a ballot measure that authorized the City to offer an opt-out electric aggregation program.

As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, the City elected to offer its own opt-out electric aggregation program. This program provides 100 percent renewably-sourced or “green” electric supply for eligible customers in Shaker Heights. This program replaced the City’s t electric aggregation program with NOPEC.

A 100 percent green opt-out program is the default for electric supply for any resident or small business that does not pro-actively elect another option. Creating a 100 percent green opt-out program has furthered the City’s intentions of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address the climate crisis and aligns with recent initiatives such as our LEED for Cities certification and Power a Clean Future Ohio.

The program was available to eligible customers starting in June of 2023.

In the current market for renewable energy, 100 percent renewable electric power supply must be provided for an independent aggregation program, like the City has created, through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECS). Ultimately, the City hopes to source power from newly-built renewable energy projects, ideally within the State of Ohio. There is currently more demand than supply for large renewable projects in Ohio, so it may take several years before this is possible.

Until these new projects are available, the City will contract for Renewable Energy Credits. This means that for every electron used in the program, a corresponding electron was generated through wind or solar somewhere in the U.S. and fed into the electric grid. Since there is no difference in electrons, a REC is how we establish that the electrons we are using have been offset by renewably-generated ones somewhere on the grid. This is verified by an independent third party.

The City’s supplier has purchased, on the City's behalf, national wind Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to cover 100% of the electric supply of participating customers in the City. These RECs ensure that the dollars participants spend on their electric supply go to support the further development of green energy infrastructure.

Note: The program is only open to eligible customers in Shaker Heights.

The following customers are eligible for the City's aggregation program:

• Customers currently enrolled in the City’s aggregation program; and
• Customers on the CEI standard service offer.

The following customers are NOT eligible for the program:

• Customers on Percentage of Income Payment Plan (“PIPP”)
• Large commercial customers
• Customers on a contract with an electric supplier

Eligible customers receive an “opt-out” notice every two years with information about the electric aggregation program. Eligible customers that do not opt out by following the instructions in this notice are automatically be enrolled in the program 21 days after receiving this notice. 

This program is optional. Eligible customers who do not want to participate in the program should follow the instructions in the opt out notice or customers may leave the program at any time they wish once enrolled. 

If you do not receive an opt-out notice, you are not eligible for the program. If you believe this is an error, or you are a new resident, or newly in your current home, contact the City at 216-491-1440.

You will have to terminate your contract early or wait until your contract ends and then enroll in the City’s electric aggregation program. Please note that some suppliers charge an early-termination fee.   

No. Customers may leave the program at any time. There is no early termination fee.

When voters passed the ballot measure in November 2000, they authorized the City to form an opt-out electric aggregation program. Under Ohio law, an opt-out governmental aggregation program automatically enlists customers who are eligible without any action by the customers, after the required notice is sent out to them. This results in a large “buying group” that can negotiate for better rates than individual customers.

The City's rate for its electric aggregation program can be found on the City's webpage: Electric Aggregation Program

Not necessarily. The City has seen with its own electric service for its facilities, which the City has bid out independently, that 100 percent green power has been very competitive, and even lower in cost, than non-green power offerings. Additionally, the City does not charge any overhead or marketing expenses to keep the rates as low as possible.

Yes, with the City aggregation program supplier, Dynegy, the subsidiary of Vistra, net metering is supported through the City's aggregation program. Call Dynegy at 888-682-2170.

In the aftermath of the 2008 Housing Crisis, the City used demolition, among other tools, to combat blight. This was done to combat vacancy, foreclosures, and blight across the City. To ensure that vacant lots blend into the neighborhood, the City adds landscaping towards the front and a fence at the back of the property after demolition. The City owns roughly 175 vacant lots across all neighborhoods.

Infill housing is a term used to describe new housing being built in a “built-out” or historic neighborhood. Infill housing is used to attract new development and residents to neighborhoods to fill in vacant home sites and add new housing options for new and current residents. The City attracts new development to promote the physical and social neighborhood fabric – to jointly strengthen households and neighborhoods. The City previously used demolition to successfully remove blight caused by the 2008 Housing Crisis and is now focused on rebuilding homes, connecting communities, and creating a sense of place in Shaker Heights.

Please contact Sharra Thomas in the Building & Housing Department to request further information on a specific project and provide feedback.

The plan sets goals for multiple City departments to attract and retain new residents, increase demand for houses, increase property values, preserve existing housing, and increase the cohesiveness, desirability, attractiveness, and stability of neighborhoods in Shaker Heights. More information can be found here.

Tax abatement is the City exempting a property owner from paying property taxes due to an investment of over $125,000 in new construction. Tax abatement is only granted for the increased value of a property – tax abated properties continue to pay property tax on the value of the land. City Council has authorized two Residential Tax Abatement Districts – both in the Moreland neighborhood. Newly built homes may be eligible for a property tax abatement of up to 10 or 15 years, depending on the location. More information can be found here.

A City landbank is a way that cities temporarily hold foreclosed or donated properties (primarily vacant land) to help stabilize neighborhoods and encourage the re-use or redevelopment of land. The City uses land in its Landbank for our side yard program, infill housing program, community use program, as well as a way of hold land for strategic future development. More information on these programs can be found here.

The Architectural Board of Review is responsible for reviewing plans for all new buildings and exterior changes to existing buildings. The ABR ensures that changes to the exterior of buildings in Shaker Heights maintain the high standard of architectural quality in the community. More information on the ABR can be found here. The City Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing projects relative to the City’s Zoning Code, including site plan review for new homes. More information on the CPC can be found here.

Please visit the vacant lot webpage.

Why Compost?

Over 40 percent of all food ends up in landfills where it rots amongst other waste and emits methane. Methane is a toxic greenhouse gas 27 times more powerful than carbon. Composting turns this waste into nutrient-rich soil, which in turn helps to grow more food.

Sign up here! After sign up, a welcome email is sent to you with details about the program AND has the 4 digit code to access the bins at all five public elementary schools and the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library. Note that the community-wide program launches April 22.

Bins are located at all five public elementary schools and the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library. Please note: School parking lots are closed to resident car traffic on school days 8:45-9:15 am and 3-3:40 pm.

Boulevard Elementary School
14900 Drexmore Rd.

Fernway Elementary School
17420 Fernway Road

Lomond Elementary School
17917 Lomond Boulevard

Mercer Elementary School
23325 Wimbledon Rd.

Onaway Elementary School
3115 Woodbury Rd.

Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library

We encourage participants to use a reusable bucket or container with a lid to transport your food scrap to the drop site.

• Rust Belt Riders buckets are available to purchase at any Phoenix Coffee shop or at its downtown headquarters at 2701 St. Clair Avenue.  They are $12 and come with a lid.
• You are also welcome to use your own storage container!

Storage Tips

• Store your food scraps in a paper bag in the freezer until drop day to prevent odors from accumulating in your bucket.
• Or keep a 5-gallon bucket in one of the following places for food scrap storage between drops: kitchen, laundry room, garage, foyer, mud room, stairwell, or under the sink.
• Use a brown paper bag to line your bucket with for easier clean up after drop-off; the brown paper bag can go right into the composting bins along with the food scraps 
• However, scraps can be dropped directly into the bins if you prefer.
• Always use a reusable container to limit waste

Click here for a list of what is and is not compostable at the Rust Belt Riders website.

Tip: Download the Betterbin app for a free searchable database of what is allowed.

The bins are serviced weekly. Rust Belt Riders is the service provider.

Yes! Please email Rust Belt Riders and they can help get you transferred over. 

On April 29, 2024, Shaker Heights City Council approved legislation authorizing a sewer fee increase to be phased in over four years starting in 2024. The increase include:

• An increase to the City’s fixed monthly sewer fee that applies equally to each household and other property owners.
• An increase in the local MCF (thousand cubic feet of water) rate that generates a fee which will vary depending on water usage.

Fixed Fee Increase

Since May 2023, the fixed fee has been $10 per month. Starting in May 2024, this fixed fee will increase by $0.50 each year through 2027:

1. 2024: $10.50 per month / $126 per year
2. 2025: $11 per month / $132 per year
3. 2026: $11.50 per month / $138 per year
4. 2027: $12 per month / $144 per year

Local MCF Increase

As of May 2023, the local MCF rate is $12.50/MCF. Starting in 2024, the local MCF rate will increase by $2.00 a year through 2027.

1. 2024: $14.50/MCF
2. 2025: $16.50/MCF
3. 2026: $18.50/MCF
4. 2027: $20.50/MCF

The fee based on the local MCF rate is a variable charge. The number of MCFs consumed in each household will vary from month to month depending on water consumption. The less water you use, the less you pay. An MCF is a thousand cubic feet of water.

Revenue generated by sewer fees fund the City’s Sewer Maintenance Fund and are used for the maintenance, repair and, where necessary, replacement of our community’s storm and sanitary sewer systems.

Our sewers were built to last 50 years but are now more than 100 years old, in many areas. In July 2014, after a 50 year rain event caused extensive flooding throughout our community, the City developed a comprehensive Sewer Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program to aggressively address the system’s many deficiencies. The City established a proactive sewer maintenance program, while also systematically identifying the projects necessary to fully rehabilitate our sewer infrastructure. While we have made considerable progress on these projects since 2014, much work remains -- including federally mandated SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow) projects -- to ensure our City sewers will last for another 100 years.

Additionally, municipalities that do not proactively rehabilitate their sewer infrastructure can be placed under federal consent decree to do this work, which has happened in Lakewood and Cleveland Heights. 

• Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs): An SSO is when untreated sewage discharges from the sanitary sewer into our local waterways. The Environmental Protection Agency requires municipalities to address SSOs or else face being placed under consent decree, as has happened in some local communities like Lakewood and Cleveland Heights. The City has worked proactively to fix SSOs, including the Fernway SSO in 2019 and the Huntington SSO in 2020. The next SSO project, Lynnfield / Lomond SSO, will start soon and positively impact 1,200 households. 
   
• Stormwater improvements, including culverts, like the one at the intersection of Green and Bryden roads that was replaced in summer 2023.
   
• NE Quad Infiltration / Inflow Reduction Program: An ongoing sewer rehabilitation project in the Mercer neighborhood.
   
• Sewer repairs in advance of street resurfacing: Our crews clean and repair sewer mains and laterals, catch basins and other sewer infrastructure before repaving a roadway.
   
• General sewer repairs: In 2024, this will include projects on Van Aken Blvd. and on South Park Blvd.
   
• Systematic maintenance program, including routine cleaning and inspections

Since 2019, when City Council approved legislation to increase sewer fees, the City has spent more than $21 million on sewers, an amount that includes more than $8 million in grant funding. About half of this money was spent on addressing sanitary sewer overflows. See Question 7 for additional details on sewer projects.

A well-functioning sewer system is critical to the quality of life of our residents and the health of our local environment. While we have made significant progress on rehabilitating our sewers over the years, much work remains to be done. The City’s 10-year capital plan identifies $28 million in sewer rehabilitation projects. Revenue generated by current sewer fees, approximately $2.3 million per year, is not adequate to fund these projects. Our current fees are used to fund sewer personnel compensation and other expenses including required debt service on existing sewer bonds. However, in order to continue to finance future sewer projects, the City will need to incur additional debt in the future and servicing the debt on those future bonds requires an increase in the sewer 

Sewer fees, which appear on your monthly Cleveland Water bill, fund the maintenance and rehabilitation of Shaker Heights’ public sewer infrastructure, specifically our sanitary and stormwater sewers. This includes all the sewer mains under our roadways, laterals that connect sewer mains to private property, and also stormwater infrastructure, like culverts and catch basins.

Your NEORSD bill pays for the processing of your sanitary wastewater, including treatment at NEORSD’s Easterly Treatment Plant. This bill also includes charges that fund NEORSD’s Stormwater Management Program. The Stormwater Management Program addresses flooding, erosion and water quality issues across NEORSD’s service area. Your stormwater fees help pay for stormwater-related projects in our community, including the Doan Brook Restoration Project and the Lower Lake Dam Replacement Project, and in other communities.

Municipalities fund sewers in a variety of ways, including fixed fees, per MCF fees and property tax assessments. Shaker’s sewer fees compare favorably with other cities whose sewer infrastructure is a similar in age to Shaker’s.

The City of Cleveland owns Lower Lake and the Lower Lake dam and leases them to the cities of Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights within their boundaries.

The cities of Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District have conducted maintenance on the dam as required.

Please see the recording of the Nov. 18, 2025 joint meeting of the city councils of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, on the Agenda Center page of the Shaker Heights website.

Section 106 federal review will be part of any project that is planned to address Lower Lake dam.

There will be a plan manage wildlife, consistent with existing environmental regulations, in conjunction with any final plan for Lower Lake.

The cities have entered into many agreements with NEORSD over the years regarding the parklands and lakes.  NEORSD has conducted or funded many projects within the parklands. This has included Lower Lake.

The cities have not determined whether there is a need for a coalition or a committee, but the cities have been talking with stakeholders and will continue to seek public input.

Lower Lake dam will be the subject of future public meetings of the Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights city councils and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. Public comment will be accepted at these meetings.

In August, the administrations of both cities began considering the idea of holding a joint city council meeting regarding Lower Lake dam at which ODNR would share an overview of dam safety and Lower Lake dam conditions.

The two cities communicated about posting the Nov. 18 meeting on the meetings calendars of their websites. The cities collaborated on a joint news release, which both cities posted on their websites and disseminated to local media.

Both cities posted this meeting on the meetings calendars on their websites on or about October 30. The two cities posted and disseminated a news release regarding this meeting on November 12. The City of Shaker Heights posted the meeting agenda, which included the Zoom link, on November 14. The City of Cleveland Heights posted the announcement and Zoom link on its Facebook page in advance of the meeting. The ity of Shaker Heights also posted information about the meeting on its Facebook page in advance of the meeting.

The estimated top of dam storage volume of Lower Shaker Lake is 178 acre-feet.

Garfield Park Lake Dam appears to not meet the size and hazard thresholds to be regulated by the ODNR Division of Water Resources, so the Division does not have an estimate of its storage volume, but it stores much less water than Lower Shaker Lake. 

Yes. Shreve Lake Dam is a Class I dam located in Wayne County, owned by the State of Ohio, and managed by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. That dam was remediated in 2024 with construction of a new principal spillway and lake drain. Prior to its remediation, the lake had to be drained for 9 years as an Interim Risk Reduction Measure (IRRM) due to concerns that the dam would fail through its principal spillway. An IRRM is a temporary emergency measure to reduce the risk of dam failure until a dam can be remediated, modified, or breached.

There is no listing for Roy Rogers Dam in the State of Ohio in either the ODNR Division of Water Resources’ (Division) Dam Safety Program database, or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) National Inventory of Dams.

The embankments have an effect, but it depends on the size of the flooding event. The ravine downstream of Lower Shaker Lake Dam is relatively steep and narrow, so it does not dimmish flood waves like a flat, wide valley would.

There is no definition of “unsafe dam” in Ohio’s dam safety laws. In the 1970s, the USACE often used the word “unsafe” for its Phase I Inspection Reports to describe a dam not meeting safety standards. The terms “small floods” and “large floods” are defined terms in the field of engineering. Dam safety engineering generally uses larger design floods than other fields of civil engineering. 

Yes. An estimated top of dam storage volume for any impoundment includes silt and sediment in the reservoir area for two reasons: (1) owners often periodically remove silt and sediment, and (2) when silts and sediment are saturated, they can remain “flowable” or can be easily eroded during severe hydrologic events.

While the Division is aware of this and other infrastructure improvements downstream to address localized flooding, those improvements cannot handle the amount of water suddenly released from a dam failure. The volumes and flow rates of a dam failure are significantly higher than those improvements are designed to carry.

A cleaned culvert is certainly able to address localized flooding better than a clogged culvert, but no culvert can handle the amount of water suddenly released from a dam failure. The volumes and flow rates of a dam failure are significantly higher than culverts are designed to carry.

The Lower Shaker Lake Dam was properly classified as a Class I dam in 1979 as part of the USACE Phase I inspection and has remained in that classification under Ohio’s dam safety laws. Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 1501:21-13-01 requires a dam to be placed in Class I when sudden failure of the dam would result in either the probable loss of human life, or the structural collapse of at least one residence or one commercial or industrial business, regardless of the dam’s classification based on total storage volume or height. The Dam stores a considerable volume of water during flood events, and the sudden failure of the Dam would release that water into a highly populated, urban area. This has been verified by lower tier analyses and is sufficient for placing the dam in Class I, unless a higher-tier analysis shows otherwise. Because the Dam has severe deficiencies that require remediation regardless of its classification, performing such a higher-level analysis on the Dam would not be useful.

Regulation and management of localized storm water flooding is not within the jurisdiction of the Division. Removal of a dam removes the risk of catastrophic dam failure. The amount of water, and the speed and force of water, that is uncontrollably released upon anyone downstream of a dam when it suddenly fails, is not comparable to localized flooding in a storm event.

Assuming this question relates to modifying Lower Shaker Lake Dam similarly to Garfield Park Lake Dam, where the dam and lake were modified to be much smaller, and alongside the larger stream, the advantage discussed was that doing so could remove the Lower Shaker Lake Dam from the Division’s jurisdiction. The lake would still have a dam, just one that is no longer regulated by the Division.

Both Upper and Lower Shaker Lake Dams have been classified as Class I since the USACE Phase I inspection in 1979. If the Doan Brook literature lists those Dams as Class II, it is mistaken.

The Lower Shaker Lake Dam has been listed in poor condition since the USACE Phase I inspection in 1979.

Full question: How does ODNR coordinate its reports, findings and/or recommendations with federal environmental law, including the Clean Water Act §§404/401, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) §§7 and 9, Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and NHPA §106? To the extent that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may be evaluating NEORSD’s plans at Horseshoe Lake, will any information or materials presented by ODNR impact such a review?

Answer: It is the responsibility of a dam’s owner to coordinate with the federal government to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations such as the Clean Water Act §§404/401, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) §§7 and 9, Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and NHPA §106. ODNR’s Division of Water Resources provides information to the dam’s owner and to federal agencies to facilitate their reviews and understanding of the dam.

Doan Brook is the only watershed that runs through University Circle. With respect to overland flow within that watershed, the Lower Shaker Lake Dam’s basin is the biggest contributor to the University Circle area. There are also small catchments along Doan Brook between the dam and Ambler Park, small catchments around the University Circle area, and a small basin north/northeast of the park. Urban areas also have sewersheds that may differ from overland runoff. For additional information see NEORSD report or refer to the USEPA’s kmz coverage “catchments”.

The Lower Shaker Lake Dam could be modified to meet all current dam safety standards for a lower classification or to remove the Dam from the Division’s jurisdiction.

It is the responsibility of a dam’s owner to evaluate and choose an option to bring their dam into compliance with Ohio’s dam safety laws. It should be noted that the site for Lower Shaker Lake Dam has significant constraints beyond dam safety engineering. Historic remnants, a park setting, nearby roads and many other factors have an impact on the options and costs. An owner of a dam often commissions an engineering study of potential options where the site constraints, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of various options, are identified. Such a study could consider various water features and configurations.

It is the responsibility of a dam’s owner to evaluate and choose an option to bring their dam into compliance with Ohio’s dam safety laws. It should be noted that the site for Lower Shaker Lake Dam has significant constraints beyond dam safety engineering. Historic remnants, a park setting, nearby roads and many other factors have an impact on the options and costs. An owner of a dam often commissions an engineering study of potential options where the site constraints, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of various options, are identified. Such a study could consider various water features and configurations.

Correct. There are generally 3 options a dam’s owner may choose to bring their dam into compliance with Ohio’s dam safety laws: (1) fully remediate the dam to meet all current dam safety standards for the dam’s current classification; (2) modify the dam to meet all current dam safety standards for a lower classification or to remove the dam from the Division’s jurisdiction; or (3) breach (remove) the dam. The dam’s owner proposes their preferred option to the Division for review and approval.

Complete question: Do ODNR guidelines allow us to target the differential-risk, rather than the full-storm risk? (FEMA guidelines allow dam classification to ask about the DIFFERENCE between the "storm event flood" and the "storm event flood including a dam breach" and judge the risk due to the excess only. This was not done in the EAP analysis---the inundation maps shown there represent storm inputs, which actually peak long after the (fairly harmless, easily conveyed) modeled dam breach.)

Answer: 

Yes. Please see Ohio Administrative Code Rule 1501:21-13-02(B) for more information about the critical flood.

The Division accepted the current Emergency Action Plan (EAP) inundation mapping for the Lower Shaker Lake Dam because the overall extent of the inundation was similar to the results of other analyses, and it is useful for providing the general extent of inundation downstream from the Dam. The Division informed the Dam’s owners that the mapping could be used in the EAP until the Dam is brought into compliance, and then the mapping would need to be updated. The current EAP inundation mapping is sufficient for mapping, but not for estimation of detailed impacts. For example, FERC guidance states “it is not appropriate to assume that a dam fails on the rising limb of the inflow.” The “PMF Failure Scenario” in the current EAP inundation mapping was based on failure of the dam on the rising limb of the inflow. Therefore, using the EAP to conclude “fairly harmless” flooding is not appropriate.