Akron:PublicService:CustomerService

Policy On Wildlife Calls On Private Property

This policy statement addresses calls for service from the public concerning wildlife on private property. The primary responsibility of City of Akron Animal Control is to enforce City Ordinances and/or Ohio Revised Code as it pertains to domestic animals (i.e. dogs). Ordinances concerning the keeping of exotic animals are the purview of the Akron Health Director. There are currently no ordinances concerning domestic felines. The Health Department requires cats to be vaccinated for rabies under Akron Health Code Regulation No-1-1998.

While the City understands that wildlife can be a nuisance and cause damage to private property, this agency is not responsible for wildlife control. However, an Animal Control Warden may remove wildlife, for a fee, that has been trapped by the property owner and left in the trap or captured and secured in a box. Animal Wardens will not attempt to capture or remove deer from private property.

In order to reduce problems associated with nuisance animals, home owners should attempt to eliminate sources of food that these animals scavenge. Make sure lids on refuse containers are tightly secured and weighted down, if necessary, to discourage raccoons and opossums. Persons whose residence or property abut the Metro Parks, Cuyahoga Valley Recreation area other wooded locations, are advised that this agency will not issue traps for the areas. Calls for service concerning wildlife will be handled in the order received and based upon the availability of Animal Control personnel.

Nuisance animals include raccoons, opossums, squirrels, groundhogs (woodchucks), muskrats, foxes, bats, weasels, mink, and rabbits. The following policy is in place for nuisance wildlife:

For a $25.00 deposit the Animal Control Warden can provide the use of a live trap, based upon availability; if no traps are available the caller will be advised that their names can be placed on a waiting list for a trap. A signed release, holding the City harmless for any and all liability resulting in use of the trap, and a twenty dollar ($20.00) disposal fee for each captured adult animal or each litter is required.
Trapping of nuisance wildlife is limited to native, non-domestic quadrupeds (i.e. raccoons, opossums, etc.). Traps will not be issued for trapping of squirrels out-of-doors. For skunks, consult a nuisance trapper.
Other than removing confined wildlife (i.e. in a trap or secured in a box) the Animal Warden will not attempt to capture these animals on private property, except as noted under section 8, below.
Problems inside dwellings, attics, etc., should be referred to private individuals (locally licensed trappers) as listed in the Summit County Nuisance Wild Animal Trappers list, consult the Ameritech Yellow Pages under Pest Control Services and/or under Animal Removal Services for firms engaged in nuisance animal removal.
Current policy involving removal of live trapped nuisance wildlife requires all animals be euthanized, this is a mandate from the State of Ohio, Dept. of Natural Resources. Animals are not released in Metro Parks, wooded areas, or outside corporate limits.
The Animal Warden will not remove wildlife from inside dwellings, garages, sheds, ceilings, attics, walls, crawl spaces, under porches, eaves, in fireplaces, chimneys or flues, on roofs, in garbage cans, dumpsters, culverts, inlets, or trees.
The same rules concerning dead animals on private property pertains to dead wildlife. The caller must securely double bag, in plastic, and place it on the curb for removal.
Sick and/or injured wildlife or wildlife that has inflicted a bite on a domestic animal or human may be removed from private property, when feasible. Each instance will be investigated on a case by case basis. Test specimens will be submitted for rabies testing in concert with current bite protocol or upon the recommendation of the Akron Health Director or his designate.

USEFUL AGENCIES, LOCATIONS
AND CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

BITES AND BITE REPORTING
(Bite Occurring Within City of Akron Only) Akron Animal Control 375-2320

HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER AKRON
7996 Darrow Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087, 330-487-0333

INJURED OR ORPHANED WILDLIFE
These animals should be left where found. If this is not practical, all inquires involving wild mammals or birds should be referred to one of the following:

Frances Kitchen	745-2947
Susan Hamilton	645-6721
Bob Heil	686-1441 (571-2578 car phone)

INSECTS & BEE PROBLEMS
County Extension Service, 5119 Lauby Rd. N Canton, Oh (330) 830-7700

PERMITS
Permits to keep wild animals cannot be issued for those animals taken from the wild, except under certain conditions. Hawks and owls are totally protected by state and federal statutes and may not be possessed dead or alive. Refer to the following:
U.S.D.A. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Jon Cepek - 419-625-9093 - jon.d.cepek@aphis.usda.gov
U.S.F.W. Service
Dan LaClair 419-625-9093 (Handles Nuisance Migratory Birds) 419-625-9713 (enforcement agent)

PROBLEMS CONCERNING
Hawks, owls, beaver, wild turkeys, coyotes, etc. shall be referred to the Wildlife District Three Headquarters

RABIES HOTLINE
Ohio State Health Department 1 -888-411-4142 M-F 8am-8pm & Weekend 8am-5pm

RATS & RAT PROBLEMS
Akron Health Director, Environmental Division, (330) 375-2405

ROAD KILL DEER
City of Akron Street Cleaning is responsible for removal of road kills within the corporation limits and within the public right-of-way. Dead deer on private property is the responsibility of the property owner to remove; if bagged and placed on curb, they will be picked up and disposed of by Street Cleaning. Agencies dealing with road kill deer should refer to Section 1533.121 O.R.C. concerning disposition. Recipient of deer must have receipt proving ownership. Receipt is valid for a period of 6 months from date of issuance. Receipt includes sex of deer, and name and address of person receiving carcass. A copy must be forwarded to the county Wildlife Officer.

SUMMIT COUNTY WILDLIFE OFFICER
John Davis, 1031 Nesbitt Rd. Northfield, Oh 44067 (330) 467-4134

WILDLIFE DISTRICT THREE HEADQUARTERS
912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Oh (330) 644-2293 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday

GENERAL WILDLIFE INFO LINE	1 -800-WILDLIFE
POACHER HOTLINE	1-800-POACHER (24 Hours)
STATE PARKS	1 -800-BUCKEYE
HUNTER SAFETY / TRAPPER EDUCATION COURSES	1 -800-282-3557
WATERCRAFT	(330) 644-2265
OHIO E.P.A.- INCIDENTS	1 -800-282-9378
INFORMATION (LOCAL)	1 -800-686-6330

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SUMMIT COUNTY NUISANCE WILD ANIMAL TRAPPERS

Summit County Wildlife Officer: Richard Louttit, P.O. Box 155, Clinton, OH 330/644-3802, ext. 3209 Wildlife District Three Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron, OH 44319, 330/644-2293, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday

Trapper's Listing (pdf)

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Junk Motor Vehicle Complaint Process

Complaint is received 375-2320
Complaints are compiled by geographical areas (Wards)
Inspector makes site visitation and documents complaints
Research of property ownership for junk vehicle location
Orders to comply are mailed by certificate of mail
Re-inspection for non-compliance
(10 days from original mailing)
- Towing orders issued to APD
- Vehicle is repaired or removed
If there's an Appeal of Order to Comply received by Motor Vehicle Evaluation Board...
(Only valid and currently licensed vehicles are eligible for appeal)
- Junk Vehicle hearing by Motor Vehicle Evaluation Board (MVEB)
  - Vehicle is repaired or removed
  - OR
    - Towing orders issued to APD
    - Vehicle is repaired or removed

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High Weed/Grass Complaint Process

Complaint received by Customer Service
375-2320
Verification of the problem
(Occupied property is checked for ownership)
Vacant property is posted / Occupied property notified by mail
Properties in non-compliance are put on the Ready-To-Cut-List
Properties are cut and documented by CSD Crews or by Outside Contractor
City is billed by outside contractors for weed cutting
Ownership and Permanent Parcel Number is researched then assessment process begins.
If Repeat Offender...
- Notice of second violation is posted on the vacant property
- Ownership and Permanent Parcel Number is researched then assessment process begins.
- Repeat from step 4 (above)

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High Weed/Grass Complaint - Questions & Answers

1.	Q.	Why is there a noxious weed ordinance?
	A.	The ordinance was primarily enacted in the interest of public health as a means of reducing pollen, litter and other offensive materials which may be concealed by high weeds or grasses. The City of Akron, Department of Public Service, Office of Customer Service is responsible for enforcement of Ordinance No. 93-1989. The ordinance is enforced annually between April 15th and September 30th each year.
2.	Q.	What type of weed complaints does the City investigate?
	A.	The Ordinance is designed primarily for vacant lots and abandoned buildings or vacant houses. The ordinance addresses the annual growth of weeds and grasses. It does not apply to areas along or adjacent to wetlands, lakes, ponds, retention basins, or tributaries such as rivers, creeks, streams, or storm outlets.
3.	Q.	How tall can any weeds/grasses grow before being considered nuisance and what about overgrown bushes, stink trees and fallen or dead trees?
	A.	Grasses and weeds may not exceed (8") inches in height. The ordinance does not include bushes, shrubbery, hedges, trees, tree limbs, scrub trees, stink trees (ailanthus altissima), or vines, except poison ivy, and does not extend to other plant growth of any other kind, including dead or fallen trees.
4.	Q.	Who is supposed to maintain the "devilstrip", lawn strip, ditch, or tree lawn or area between the street and the property line in front of or abutting a residence or business?
	A.	The property owner or in the case of rental property, it may be the tenant.
5.	Q.	My neighbor never trims the grass, weeds flower beds or planters next to my property, sometimes grass/weeds are two feet high in the flower beds and/or along my fence, is this a violation?
	A.	There are no established standards for lawn care. As long as the grass is being cut, while it may not be to your specifications, it is not a violation. The ordinance does not address trimming. There are no regulations for cutting grass/weeds along, under or between fences, property lines, along foundations, walls, etc.
6.	Q.	Am I expected to cut the grass or other growth on my wooded lot?
	A.	No, wooded lots are not expected to be maintained the same as open fields. You are expected to maintain the area between the edge of the roadway and your property line free from all growth and other encumbrance, including trees, vines, bushes, etc. This is similar to what the Metropolitan Park system ascribes to in the parks.
7.	Q.	Is the City of Akron responsible for cutting the grass or weeds on private property?
	A.	No, the City, through the Customer Service Office, is responsible for enforcing the Weed Ordinance No. 93-1989. It is the property owner's responsibility to cut the grass/weeds.
8.	Q.	Will the City of Akron cut grass/weeds on vacant lots or vacant houses?
	A.	Yes, but only as a last resort when this is done, the property owner is assessed for the cost of the cutting and a $50.00 administrative fee for each cutting process. These costs vary depending on the size of the lot from $35.00 for single lot, $50.00 for a vacant house, and $100.00 per acre for larger areas, to this is added the $50.00 administrative fee.
9.	Q.	How often must the grass at a vacant lot or vacant house be cut?
	A.	There are no number of times specified, only that it not exceed 8" in height. In our experience, this can vary from year to year, but usually several times a season. Although don't expect vacant lots or properties to be maintained as would an occupied property.
10.	Q.	How soon can I expect a resolution to my complaint?
	A.	From the time your complaint is received to when the grass is actually cut can vary from 10 days (if the owner complies) to upwards of 21 days or more when there is no compliance. The weather and the volume of complaints are a significant factor in this process. Finally, the City of Akron is under no obligation to cut high grass/weeds on private property and is the contractor of last resort.

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NUISANCE COMPLAINTS - ILLEGAL SIGNS, SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTIONS AND/OR GRAFFITI

Illegal Signs

The Customer Service Office investigates complaints and removes illegal signage from the public right-of-way, (R/W). Posting of any signs or notices on the tree lawn,"devilstrip", median, expressway fencing, utility poles, traffic poles, traffic control boxes, or any location within a public street is strictly prohibited. This includes real estate signs, open house signs, yard sale signs, auction signs, banners, political signs, or any advertising material.

No person shall place, post or affix any notice, poster or other paper device, IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY OR to any lamp post, public utility pole, or any public structure or tree in the public right-of-way, except as may be authorized or required by law. (A.C.O. 95.11)

Violators of this section are guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine equivalent to the cost of removal of the items which shall not be less than $500.

Sidewalk and R/W Obstructions

The Customer Service Office investigates and documents complaints concerning obstruction of public sidewalks and/or the public R/W between the property line and the street or roadway.

No person shall obstruct any sidewalk or land between the property line and curbing or edge of roadway by placing or allowing to remain any anchored articles or substances greater than 4" in height, including but not limited to, scrub growth, bushes, signs and rocks on the sidewalk or property between the sidewalk or and between the property line and curbing or edge of the pavement or roadway. (A.C.O. 98.01)

Property owners are notified by mailing of orders-to-comply concerning sidewalk and/or right-of-way obstructions. In the event the owner does not correct the nuisance condition within the stipulated period of time the nuisance condition is abated by the City. All costs incurred in correcting the nuisance condition passed along to the property owner in addition to a $75.00 administrative fee. These costs may be collected thru assessments against the property.

Graffiti

The Customer Service Office investigates and documents complaints concerning graffiti on private property. This includes houses, garages, apartment dwellings, commercial buildings, fences, exterior walls, etc. Notices are served upon the property owner after documentation of the complaint by the City.

Property owners may appeal the orders-to-comply to the Director of Public Service and request a hearing. Should the appeal be denied by the City, the property owner is required to correct the nuisance condition by removal of the graffiti. In the event the nuisance condition is not abated, the City will take the necessary action to abate the complaint by whatever means are necessary. All costs incurred for the removal in addition to a $50 administrative fee shall be assessed against the property. (A.C.O. 94.75)

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