Bedford Heights, Ohio, OH Municipal Code — every chapter, in plain language

Current through to December 30, 2025 | State legislation current through December 31, 2025. Official source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/bedfordhts/latest/overview

Every town writes its own rules, and Bedford Heights, Ohio's live in its municipal code — 402 chapters covering day-to-day questions like fences, parking, pets, permits and property upkeep. Below is the full map of what the code covers.

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1. Bedford Heights, Ohio
2. Codified Ordinances of Bedford Heights, Ohio
3. CERTIFICATION
4. DIRECTORY OF OFFICIALS
5. ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO: 85-32
6. COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
7. TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
8. TABLE A - FRANCHISES
9. TABLE B - EASEMENTS
10. TABLE C - PLAT ACCEPTANCE OR DEDICATION OF PROPERTY
11. TABLE D - PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FOR MUNICIPAL USE
12. TABLE E - LEASE OF PROPERTY TO MUNICIPALITY
13. TABLE F - ZONING MAP CHANGES
14. CHARTER
15. PREAMBLE
16. ARTICLE I NAME
17. SECTION 1.01. NAME.
18. SECTION 1.02. VILLAGE AND CITY.
19. ARTICLE II BOUNDARIES, ANNEXATION AND DETACHMENT
20. SECTION 2.01. BOUNDARIES.
21. SECTION 2.02. ANNEXATION AND DETACHMENT.
22. ARTICLE III FORM OF GOVERNMENT
23. SECTION 3.01. FORM.
24. ARTICLE IV POWERS
25. SECTION 4.01. POWERS.
26. SECTION 4.02. EXERCISE OF POWERS.
27. ARTICLE V NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, QUALIFICATIONS AND REMOVAL
28. SECTION 5.01. NOMINATION PETITIONS.
29. SECTION 5.02. FILING DATE.
30. SECTION 5.03. PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
31. SECTION 5.04. BALLOTS.
32. SECTION 5.05. QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS.
33. SECTION 5.06. FINANCIAL INTEREST.
34. SECTION 5.07. OATH REQUIRED.
35. SECTION 5.08. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS.
36. SECTION 5.09. HEARINGS ON CHARGES.
37. ARTICLE VI COUNCIL
38. SECTION 6.01. POWERS.
39. SECTION 6.02. MEMBER AND TERM.
40. SECTION 6.02.1. WARDS AND BOUNDARIES.
41. SECTION 6.03. ORGANIZATION.
42. SECTION 6.04. COUNCIL MEETINGS.
43. SECTION 6.05. QUORUM.
44. SECTION 6.06. PROCEDURE.
45. SECTION 6.07 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.
46. SECTION 6.08 VACANCY.
47. SECTION 6.09. CLERK OF COUNCIL.
48. SECTION 6.09.01. FORMER DESIGNATION OF "CLERK-TREASURER" ABOLISHED.
49. ARTICLE VII MAYOR
50. SECTION 7.01. ELECTION OF MAYOR.
51. SECTION 7.02 TERM OF OFFICE OF THE MAYOR.
52. SECTION 7.03. JUDICIAL POWERS OF THE MAYOR.
53. SECTION 7.04. LEGISLATIVE DUTIES OF THE MAYOR.
54. SECTION 7.05. VETO POWER OF THE MAYOR.
55. SECTION 7.06. EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF THE MAYOR.
56. SECTION 7.07. EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF MAYOR.
57. SECTION 7.07.01. CONSERVATOR OF THE PEACE.
58. SECTION 7.07.02. FINANCIAL DUTIES OF MAYOR.
59. SECTION 7.07.03. MAYOR SHALL RECOMMEND LEGISLATION.
60. SECTION 7.07.04. MAYOR RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE.
61. SECTION 7.07.05. APPOINTIVE DUTIES OF MAYOR.
62. SECTION 7.07.06. MAYOR TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS.
63. SECTION 7.07.07. CEREMONIAL HEAD.
64. SECTION 7.08 ACTING MAYOR.
65. SECTION 7.09. VACANCY IN OFFICE OF MAYOR.
66. ARTICLE VIII ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS
67. SECTION 8.01. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
68. SECTION 8.01.01. COUNCIL MAY COMBINE, ESTABLISH OR ABOLISH DEPARTMENTS.
69. SECTION 8.02. DEPARTMENT OF LAW.
70. SECTION 8.03. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.
71. SECTION 8.03.01. DUTIES OF DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
72. SECTION 8.03.02. DIVISION OF PURCHASES.
73. SECTION 8.03.03. DIVISION OF TREASURY.
74. SECTION 8.03.04. TREASURY DUTIES OF DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
75. SECTION 8.04. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
76. SECTION 8.04.01. DIVISIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
77. SECTION 8.04.02. DUTIES OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
78. SECTION 8.04.03. DIVISION OF POLICE.
79. SECTION 8.04.04. DIVISION OF FIRE.
80. SECTION 8.04.05. DIVISION OF BUILDING ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION.
81. SECTION 8.04.06. RULES AND REGULATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
82. SECTION 8.05. DEPARTMENT OF WATER RECLAMATION.
83. SECTION 8.05.01. DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
84. SECTION 8.06 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
85. SECTION 8.06.01 DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
86. ARTICLE IX CIVIL SERVICE
87. SECTION 9.01. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
88. SECTION 9.01.01. TERMS OF OFFICE.
89. SECTION 9.01.02. VACANCY ON COMMISSION.
90. SECTION 9.01.03. REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONER.
91. SECTION 9.02. DIVISION OF SERVICES.
92. SECTION 9.02.01. UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE.
93. SECTION 9.02.02. CLASSIFIED SERVICE.
94. SECTION 9.03. RULES OF COMMISSION.
95. SECTION 9.03.01. PUBLIC HEARING ON RULES.
96. SECTION 9.04. RULES OF PROCEDURE.
97. SECTION 9.05. REPORTS.
98. SECTION 9.06. AUTOMATIC MEMBERSHIP IN CLASSIFIED SERVICE.
99. SECTION 9.07. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.
100. ARTICLE X PLANNING COMMISSION
101. SECTION 10.01 ORGANIZATION.
102. SECTION 10.01.01. TERMS OF OFFICE.
103. SECTION 10.01.02. VACANCY.
104. SECTION 10.01.03. REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONER.
105. SECTION 10.02. POWERS AND DUTIES.
106. SECTION 10.02.01. PLATTING COMMISSION.
107. SECTION 10.03. TIME LIMITATION.
108. ARTICLE XI BOARD OF ZONING AND BUILDING CODE APPEALS
109. SECTION 11.01. BOARD OF ZONING AND BUILDING CODE APPEALS.
110. SECTION 11.01.01. TERM OF OFFICE.
111. SECTION 11.01.02. VACANCY.
112. SECTION 11.01.03. REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBER.
113. SECTION 11.02. POWERS AND DUTIES.
114. SECTION 11.02.01. RULES OF PROCEDURE.
115. ARTICLE XII INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
116. SECTION 12.01. INITIATIVE.
117. SECTION 12.01.01. PROCEDURE FOR INITIATIVE.
118. SECTION 12.01.02. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE.
119. SECTION 12.01.03. IF COUNCIL FAILS TO ACT.
120. SECTION 12.02. REFERENDUM.
121. SECTION 12.02.01. PROCEDURE FOR REFERENDUM.
122. SECTION 12.02.02. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE.
123. SECTION 12.02.03. IF COUNCIL FAILS TO ACT.
124. SECTION 12.02.04. SUSPENSION.
125. SECTION 12.02.05. MEASURES SUBJECT TO REFERENDUM.
126. SECTION 12.02.06. EFFECT OF REFERENDUM ON EMERGENCY MEASURES.
127. SECTION 12.03. RECALL.
128. SECTION 12.03.01. METHOD OF RECALL.
129. SECTION 12.04. PETITIONS.
130. SECTION 12.04.01. PETITION SIGNATURES.
131. ARTICLE XIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
132. SECTION 13.01. WHEN ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS TAKE EFFECT.
133. SECTION 13.02. COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS.
134. SECTION 13.03. CONTRACTS AND PURCHASES.
135. SECTION 13.04. FRANCHISES.
136. SECTION 13.05. SALARIES AND BONDS.
137. SECTION 13.06. PENSIONS AND RELIEF FUNDS.
138. SECTION 13.07. LIMITATION ON THE RATE OF TAXATION.
139. SECTION 13.07.01. LEVY FOR FIRE PROTECTION.
140. SECTION 13.07.02. LEVY FOR STREET REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE.
141. SECTION 13.07.03. SAFETY FORCE LEVY.
142. SECTION 13.08. PRINTING AND PUBLISHING REPORTS.
143. ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
144. SECTION 14.01. AMENDMENTS.
145. SECTION 14.01.01 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION.
146. SECTION 14.02. WHEN CHARTER TAKES EFFECT.
147. SECTION 14.03. SAVING CLAUSE.
148. SECTION 14.04. EFFECT OF CHARTER UPON EXISTING LAWS AND RIGHTS.
149. SECTION 14.05. INTERPRETATION OF CHARTER.
150. SECTION 14.06. GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE DESIGNATIONS.
151. SECTION 14.07. RESTRICTIONS ON THE NAMING OF MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.
152. PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
153. TITLE ONE - General Provisions
154. CHAPTER 101 Codified Ordinances
155. CHAPTER 103 Official Standards
156. CHAPTER 105 Benchmark and Grades
157. CHAPTER 107 Notice of Public Meetings
158. TITLE THREE - Legislative
159. CHAPTER 111 Council
160. CHAPTER 113 Ordinances and Resolutions
161. TITLE FIVE - Administrative
162. CHAPTER 121 Executive Department; Mayor
163. CHAPTER 123 Clerk of Council
164. CHAPTER 125 Municipal Engineer
165. CHAPTER 127 Department of Law
166. CHAPTER 129 Department of Finance
167. CHAPTER 130 Department of Human Resources
168. CHAPTER 131 Department of Taxation
169. CHAPTER 132 Department of Water Reclamation
170. CHAPTER 133 Department of Public Service
171. CHAPTER 134 Department of Public Safety
172. CHAPTER 135 Division of Police
173. CHAPTER 137 Division of Fire
174. CHAPTER 139 Division of Building, Engineering and Inspection
175. CHAPTER 141 Department of Community Life
176. CHAPTER 143 Community Relations Commission (Repealed)
177. CHAPTER 144 Cable Television Advisory Committee
178. CHAPTER 145 Planning Commission
179. CHAPTER 147 Board of Zoning and Building Code Appeals
180. CHAPTER 148 Civil Service Commission
181. CHAPTER 149 Disaster Services Agency
182. CHAPTER 150 Board of Architectural Review
183. CHAPTER 151 Health Services
184. CHAPTER 152 Records Commission
185. CHAPTER 153 Purchasing Procedures
186. CHAPTER 155 Budget Planning
187. CHAPTER 157 Employees Generally
188. CHAPTER 159 Disposal of Personal Property
189. CHAPTER 160 Land Reutilization Program
190. TITLE SEVEN - Judicial
191. CHAPTER 161 Mayor's Court
192. TITLE NINE - Taxation
193. CHAPTER 173 Income Tax
194. CHAPTER 174 Income Tax Effective January 1, 2016
195. CHAPTER 175 Excise Tax on Lodgings
196. CHAPTER 177 Assessment Proceedings
197. CHAPTER 179 Motor Vehicle License Tax
198. CHAPTER 181 Job Creation Grant Program
199. PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
200. TITLE ONE - Administration
201. CHAPTER 301 Definitions
202. CHAPTER 303 Enforcement, Impounding and Penalty
203. CHAPTER 305 Traffic Control
204. TITLE THREE - Streets and Traffic Control Devices
205. CHAPTER 311 Street Obstructions and Special Uses
206. CHAPTER 313 Traffic Control Devices
207. TITLE FIVE - Vehicles
208. CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally
209. CHAPTER 333 OVI; Willful Misconduct; Speed
210. CHAPTER 335 Licensing; Accidents
211. CHAPTER 337 Safety and Equipment
212. CHAPTER 339 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
213. CHAPTER 341 Commercial Drivers
214. CHAPTER 343 Snow Plow Operators
215. CHAPTER 345 Transportation of Radioactive Materials
216. CHAPTER 346 Removal of Unlicensed or Out of Repair Vehicles
217. TITLE SEVEN - Parking
218. CHAPTER 351 Parking Generally
219. CHAPTER 353 Parking Meters
220. TITLE NINE - Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motorcycles
221. CHAPTER 371 Pedestrians
222. CHAPTER 373 Bicycles and Motorcycles
223. CHAPTER 375 Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles and All Purpose Vehicles
224. PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
225. CHAPTER 503 Advertising, Billposting and Handbills
226. CHAPTER 505 Animals and Fowl
227. CHAPTER 509 Disorderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
228. CHAPTER 511 Noise Pollution Control
229. CHAPTER 513 Drug Abuse Control
230. CHAPTER 517 Gambling
231. CHAPTER 521 Health, Safety and Sanitation
232. CHAPTER 525 Law Enforcement and Public Office
233. CHAPTER 529 Liquor Control
234. CHAPTER 533 Obscenity and Sex Offenses
235. CHAPTER 535 Offenses Relating to Minors
236. CHAPTER 537 Offenses Against Persons
237. CHAPTER 541 Property Offenses
238. CHAPTER 545 Theft and Fraud
239. CHAPTER 549 Weapons and Explosives
240. CHAPTER 553 Railroads
241. CHAPTER 557 Trees, Weeds and Grass
242. CHAPTER 561 Criminal Activity Nuisances
243. PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
244. CHAPTER 709 Auctions
245. CHAPTER 713 Billiards and Pool
246. CHAPTER 715 Bowling Alleys
247. CHAPTER 717 Christmas Tree Sales
248. CHAPTER 719 Fortunetelling and Clairvoyancy
249. CHAPTER 721 Frozen Dessert Peddlers
250. CHAPTER 724 Garage Sales
251. CHAPTER 729 Mechanical Amusement Devices
252. CHAPTER 733 Peddlers, Itinerant Vendors and Solicitors
253. CHAPTER 737 Street Vendors
254. CHAPTER 741 Topsoil Removal
255. CHAPTER 743 Removal of Fill Dirt
256. CHAPTER 745 Gasoline and Service Stations
257. CHAPTER 747 Party Centers, Dance Halls and Community Rooms
258. CHAPTER 749 Housing Delivery System
259. CHAPTER 751 Enterprise Zone Qualifications
260. CHAPTER 753 Cemetery Regulations
261. CHAPTER 755 Adult Entertainment Businesses
262. CHAPTER 759 Video Service Providers
263. PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
264. TITLE ONE - Street and Sidewalk Areas
265. CHAPTER 901 Inspection of Work Affecting Streets, Sidewalks, Sewers and Water Lines
266. CHAPTER 903 Street Excavations
267. CHAPTER 905 Sidewalks
268. CHAPTER 907 Driveways
269. CHAPTER 909 Trees
270. TITLE THREE - Utilities
271. CHAPTER 915 Water
272. CHAPTER 917 Sewers Generally
273. CHAPTER 918 Sanitary Sewer Use
274. CHAPTER 919 User Charge System
275. CHAPTER 920 Industrial Pretreatment
276. CHAPTER 921 Sewer Construction
277. CHAPTER 922 Cable Television
278. CHAPTER 923 Master Cable Television Regulatory Ordinance
279. CHAPTER 927 Construction Affecting Utilities
280. CHAPTER 929 Illicit Discharge and Illegal Connection Control
281. CHAPTER 930 Stormwater Drainage Relief Program
282. TITLE FIVE - Other Public Services
283. CHAPTER 951 Garbage and Rubbish Disposal
284. CHAPTER 952 Snow Removal Services (Repealed)
285. CHAPTER 953 Community Center
286. CHAPTER 954 Municipal Building
287. CHAPTER 955 Park and Recreation Facilities
288. CHAPTER 957 Block Party Regulations
289. CHAPTER 959 Ambulance Emergency Squad Service
290. CHAPTER 961 Small Cell Design Guidelines
291. PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
292. TITLE ONE - Subdivision Regulations
293. CHAPTER 1101 General Provisions; Penalty
294. CHAPTER 1103 Platting Procedure
295. CHAPTER 1105 Preliminary and Final Plats; Plans for Multifamily and Business Districts
296. CHAPTER 1107 Layout and Design Standards; Improvements
297. CHAPTER 1109 Variances and Exceptions
298. TITLE THREE - Zoning Code; General Provisions
299. CHAPTER 1121 Title; Purpose and Scope; Interpretation; Separability; Effective Date
300. CHAPTER 1123 Definitions
301. CHAPTER 1125 Districts and Boundaries Generally
302. CHAPTER 1127 Effects of Districting; General Regulations
303. CHAPTER 1129 Nonconforming Uses of Land and Buildings
304. CHAPTER 1130 Regulation of Outdoor Unattended Charitable Donation Bins
305. TITLE FIVE - Zoning Code; Administration
306. CHAPTER 1131 Development Plan Review Procedures
307. CHAPTER 1133 Powers and Duties
308. CHAPTER 1135 District Changes; Amendments to Code
309. CHAPTER 1136 Zoning Permits and Certificates
310. CHAPTER 1137 Conditional Use Certificates
311. CHAPTER 1138 Appeals and Variances
312. CHAPTER 1139 Enforcement and Penalties
313. TITLE SEVEN - Zoning Code; Residence Districts
314. CHAPTER 1141 R-S Residential Suburban District
315. CHAPTER 1142 R-1-A Residential District
316. CHAPTER 1143 R-1 One-Family Low Density Residence District
317. CHAPTER 1145 R-2 One-Family Medium Density Residence District
318. CHAPTER 1147 R-3 Multifamily Residence District
319. CHAPTER 1149 R-4 Town House Residence District
320. CHAPTER 1150 SR Senior Residence District
321. TITLE NINE - Zoning Code; Non-Residence Districts
322. CHAPTER 1151 General Business and Shopping Center District Regulations
323. CHAPTER 1153 Northfield Road Commercial District Regulations
324. CHAPTER 1155 Town Center Overlay District
325. CHAPTER 1159 Industrial District Regulations
326. CHAPTER 1161 TP Trailer Park District
327. CHAPTER 1165 Outparcel Overlay District
328. TITLE ELEVEN - Zoning Code; Special Provisions
329. CHAPTER 1171 Use-Specific Standards
330. CHAPTER 1173 Heliports and Helistops
331. CHAPTER 1175 Storm Shelters
332. CHAPTER 1179 Sign Regulations
333. CHAPTER 1181 Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations
334. CHAPTER 1183 Performance Standards
335. CHAPTER 1185 Community Development Projects and Dwelling Groups
336. CHAPTER 1187 Landscaping, Screening and Lighting Regulations
337. CHAPTER 1189 Regulations for Antenna Structures
338. CHAPTER 1190 Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
339. TITLE THIRTEEN - Zoning Code; Exceptions and Modifications
340. CHAPTER 1191 Lots of Record
341. CHAPTER 1193 Height Modifications
342. CHAPTER 1195 Frontage and Yard Modifications
343. CHAPTER 1197 Yard Projections and Fences
344. CHAPTER 1199 Lot Area Requirements
345. PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
346. TITLE ONE - Standards
347. CHAPTER 1301 Ohio Residential Building Code
348. CHAPTER 1302 Ohio Mechanical Code
349. CHAPTER 1303 Ohio Building Code
350. CHAPTER 1304 International Fuel Gas Code
351. CHAPTER 1305 National Electrical Code
352. CHAPTER 1306 Ohio Plumbing Code
353. CHAPTER 1307 International Property Maintenance Code
354. CHAPTER 1308 General Provisions
355. TITLE TWO - Flood Damage Prevention
356. CHAPTER 1309 Authorization; Facts; Purpose and Objectives
357. CHAPTER 1310 Definitions
358. CHAPTER 1311 General Provisions
359. CHAPTER 1312 Administration
360. CHAPTER 1313 Flood Damage Reduction
361. CHAPTER 1314 Comprehensive Stormwater Management
362. CHAPTER 1315 Erosion and Sediment Control
363. CHAPTER 1317 ASCE/SEI 24-05 Flood Resistant Design and Construction Standards
364. TITLE THREE - Local Provisions
365. CHAPTER 1319 Condominiums
366. CHAPTER 1321 Garbage and Incinerator Disposal Units
367. CHAPTER 1323 House Trailers
368. CHAPTER 1325 Landscaping
369. CHAPTER 1327 Moving of Buildings
370. CHAPTER 1329 Permits and Fees
371. CHAPTER 1331 Swimming and Wading Pools
372. CHAPTER 1333 Registration of Contractors
373. CHAPTER 1335 Building Numbering
374. CHAPTER 1337 Decks and Patios
375. CHAPTER 1339 Blight Elimination
376. CHAPTER 1341 Notice of Foreclosure and Registration of Vacant Buildings or Structures
377. CHAPTER 1343 Temporary Residential Storage (PODS)
378. TITLE FIVE - Housing Code
379. CHAPTER 1371 General Provisions
380. CHAPTER 1373 Definitions
381. CHAPTER 1375 Rental License and Occupancy Permit
382. CHAPTER 1376 Occupancy Limitations
383. CHAPTER 1377 Basic Standards For Residential Occupancy
384. CHAPTER 1378 Pre-Sale Inspections
385. CHAPTER 1379 Enforcement and Penalty
386. TITLE SEVEN - Apartment Maintenance Code
387. CHAPTER 1381 General Provisions
388. CHAPTER 1383 Definitions
389. CHAPTER 1385 Rental License and Occupancy Permit
390. CHAPTER 1387 Basic Standards for Residential Occupancy
391. CHAPTER 1389 Enforcement and Penalty
392. TITLE NINE - Business Maintenance Code
393. CHAPTER 1391 General Provisions
394. CHAPTER 1393 Basic Maintenance Standards
395. CHAPTER 1395 Enforcement and Penalty
396. PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
397. CHAPTER 1502 Ohio Fire Code
398. CHAPTER 1503
399. CHAPTER 1504 International Fire Code
400. CHAPTER 1511 Open Burning
401. CHAPTER 1519 Fireworks
402. CHAPTER 1521 Unauthorized Material Spill, Release or Discharge