This summary of selected Mentor City Ordinances and Programs is provided for your information and convenience. It includes those areas and issues which are most commonly encountered by citizens on a regular basis.

Animals

Dogs should be leashed at all times when they are outside, and owners must not permit their dog to bark or howl to the extent that it disturbs the peace. All dogs must wear valid license tags issued by the County.

When a vicious dog is confined outside, it must be securely enclosed in a locked pen or dog run with secure sides and top. No wild or exotic animals are allowed to be kept in the City.

Bicycles

The City requires licenses and registration for all bicycles operated within Mentor. Permits can be purchased at the Police Department.

Cyclists are urged to follow traffic safety rules. Bicycles should not be ridden on sidewalks in commercial districts or in areas that have posted signs prohibiting riding on walkways. Cyclists are permitted on sidewalks in residential areas. (A system of bike paths is being developed within the City.)

Brush & Leaf Collection

A combined brush & leaf collection is conducted in June and November. Residents are asked to stack brush next to the roadway in bundled four foot lengths. Leaves must be bagged in Kraft paper leaf disposal bags, or placed in rigid, reusable containers.

 The City is divided into four quadrants and the date for pick-up is announced in advance. This program does not provide for the clearing of lots, removal of complete trees, or as a service to businesses.

Building Permits

Building Permits are required for all construction including decks, pools, sheds, porches, enclosures, etc. Permits are obtained through Mentor's Engineering & Building Department. Applicants for accessory-type structures need to provide two copies of the construction drawings consisting of a site plan showing where the structure will be situated on the property and the distance from all property lines. Plans must also show how the structure will be built materials used, etc.). Once submitted, the plan review procedure takes about five working days (permits for sheds built from a kit can be obtained at the time of submission). A permit fee is charged, along with a refundable construction deposit, which can be returned if the structure passes all inspections.

Bulk Item Collection

An annual bulk collection of large appliances, furniture, etc. is conducted each spring. Residents should place items on the treelawn or near the curb before the first scheduled day of pick-up. The City is divided into four quadrants with a onetime pass during a designated week which is announced in advance. Call 974-5780 for details.

Cars for Sale

Vehicles for sale must be titled to the current resident, properly licensed, operable, displayed for a maximum of two weeks and parked on an improved parking surface (not the lawn). Number of vehicles for sale is limited to two per year.

Curfew

The curfew restricts persons under 12 years of age from being out from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.; persons 12 to 16 years of age from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and 16 to 18 year olds from midnight to 5 a.m.

Dead Animals

If dead animals are observed on City roadways, the Public Works Department can be contacted at 974-5781 during regular office hours; call the Police Department at 974-5789 at all other times.

Drainage Ditches

All premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water. No owner or occupant of any premises shall cause or permit any natural watercourse, drainage ditch, creek, brook, culvert, or drain located upon the premises to become obstructed with leaves or other debris so that water flow is hindered. Call 974-5785 with drainage questions.

Fences

A permit is required if you are planning on installing, altering or relocating a fence. Fences in the rear yard may not exceed six feet in height. Fences in the front yard or on a corner facing a side street may not exceed three feet in height and must be decorative and at least 50% open.

Garage Sales

A permit is not required for a garage sale, however, the City does have an ordinance restricting signs in residential areas. Garage sale signs are permitted only on the property where the sale is being held. They may not be posted at any street corner, or on tree lawns, or utility poles. Illegally posted signs will be confiscated without prior notice.

 Grass and & Weed Control

Lawns and landscaping should be maintained so as not to cause a negative effect on the neighborhood. Generally, grass in residential neighborhoods must be controlled in height or growth. Weeds such as goldenrod, ragweed, thistle, etc, that are capable of causing skin reactions and respiratory problems, are not permitted to grow on any premises. No owner or occupant of any premises shall permit vegetation to create a safety hazard.

Property owners with excessively high grass or weeds will be given five days written notice to cut or destroy the high grass or weeds. If the notice is ignored, a contractor will be hired to do the work at the owner's expense. Call 974-5740 with questions.

Home Occupations

Any business operation conducted out of a residence requires one of two types of permits. One permit is administratively approved, while the other must be approved by the Municipal Planning Commission. Call 974-5740 with questions.

House Numbers

House numbers must be displayed in a prominent location to ensure that safety forces can quickly locate your home in an emergency. Numbers of at least six inches in height are to be displayed even if "script" or "word" addresses are used. The location chosen must be visible day or night during all seasons of the year and/or on both sides of a curbside mail box.

Income Tax

All persons earning income in the City, and businesses and residents having taxable income, are subject to a 2% Municipal Income Tax.

Mentor residents are granted 100% credit for municipal income tax paid to other communities. Residents owing tax, other than tax withheld, must make quarterly tax payments and file an annual municipal income tax return. All forms, payments, and questions should be directed to the Central Collection Agency, 1701 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114, or by calling 1-800-223-6317.

Jogging

Joggers are encouraged to pursue their recreational activity of choice in a safe and responsible manner. Please observe the following rules:

1. Jogging upon a roadway is illegal, if an accessible, adjacent sidewalk is provided.
2. Where a sidewalk is not provided, jog only on the shoulder of the roadway, as far as possible from the edge of the roadway.
3. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, jog as near as possible to the outside edge of the road; if a two-way road, jog ONLY on the left side.
4. Any joggers on a roadway shall yield the right of way to ALL vehicles.

The Lake County Health Department oversees mosquito control in the City. If you wish to report a problem with mosquitos in your area, call 974-5720.

Noise

No person or persons shall unreasonably create a noise disturbance within the City. Any noise which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person, or causes adverse affects on humans after hours, is prohibited.

Open Burning

Burning trash, brush, or leaves is not permitted in the City of Mentor. Small, attended campfires for cooking purposes are permitted during favorable weather conditions without prior approval. Bonfires require prior approval by the Fire Prevention Bureau by calling 974-5768.

Parking

Motor Vehicles

In residential districts, motor vehicles must be parked on an improved surface which adjoins an improved access drive leading from the street to the parked vehicle(s). Improved surfaces are those constructed of concrete, asphalt or crushed stone, which do not contain excess weeds or grass.

RV's, Boats & Commercial Vehicles

RV's and boats may not be stored in front of the main structure. A minimum three foot set back is required from the side property lines. On corner lots, no parking is permitted between the right-of-way and side set back line. Only one commercial vehicle under 5,050 pounds is permitted on a residential property at a time.

Unlicensed Vehicle

No unlicensed motor vehicle shall be parked or stored in the open on private property for more than 15 days. The property owner's permission is required.

Parking on City Streets

Parking between 2 to 6 a.m., and parking on the fire hydrant side of the street are prohibited in the City of Mentor.

The City of Mentor has both a household refuse pickup and a curbside recycling program for all residents. Refuse and recyclables are collected by a single waste hauler through a franchise contract with the City. Both garbage and recyclables are collected curbside on the same day. Call the program manager at 974-5780.

Refuse Collection (Commercial & Industrial)

All commercial and industrial rubbish haulers collecting in the City of Mentor are required to obtain a contractor's license and vehicle permit for each vehicle collecting or hauling. Call 974-5780 for a list of licensed haulers.

Satellite Dishes

Satellite dishes are permitted in the rear yard only and must be at least 10 feet from the side and rear property lines. The maximum height permitted is 12 feet; the maximum diameter is 10 feet. A permit is required.

Sidewalks and Driveways

All sidewalks and driveways within the public right-of-way shall be kept in a proper state of repair. If they pose a possible danger to public health and safety, they shall be repaired or replaced. The City can provide a licensed contractor, however, the cost must be paid by the resident. The owner, occupant or other persons having charge, management or possession of any building or premises shall keep the sidewalk(s) adjacent to such building or premises in a clean condition at all times.

Signs

"Home For Sale" signs are permitted only on the actual property that is for sale and only when posted behind the tree lawn. Off-premises "Open House," "For Sale," "For Sale by Owner," real estate, and garage sale signs are not permitted and will be confiscated, without prior notice, when observed by the City. (See Garage Sales.)

Snow and Ice Control

Clearing of City Streets Arterial and major collector streets are given first priority for snow and ice control to insure emergency accessibility. All major intersections on the major arterial highway system are salted and/or cindered, as are certain hills and bridges. Residential neighborhoods are cleared when conditions warrant. Call 974-578 with normal snow and ice control inquiries.

No Parking During Snow Emergency

A Snow Emergency is defined as that time when there has been an accumulation of snow, sleet, hail, or ice on any streets or roads. No parking is permitted on any City street during a Snow Emergency. Snow Emergency alerts are posted on The Mentor Channel (ch. 12).

Depositing Snow & Ice on Public Sidewalks or Roadways

Depositing snow or ice onto any public sidewalk, street, road, or highway is not permitted.

Access to Fire Hydrants

Residents and business owners are urged to assist the Fire Department by keeping clear access to their fire hydrants during heavy snow falls.

It is unlawful to solicit within the City without first obtaining a solicitor's permit from the Police Department. It is unlawful to solicit at any premise at which a "No Solicitors" sign is displayed. "No Solicitors" signs are available at the Mentor Police Department.

Trees on Right-of-Way/Treelawn

Planting & Removing of Trees

The City of Mentor has specific ordinances which property owners must follow when trimming, removing and planting trees located in the right-of-way/treelawn. if you have questions regarding your responsibility for the care and maintenance of treelawn trees, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Lands at 974-5720.

Dead Trees

No owner or occupant of any premises shall permit a dead tree to stand so near to a public sidewalk or roadway as to endanger users should all or part of it fall. No owner or occupant shall permit a dead branch to overhang a public sidewalk or roadway.

Traffic signals and signs are installed and maintained by the Public Works Department. For service requests, including repair or replacement of these devices, call 974-5781. Emergency or weekend repairs should be reported to the Police Department at 974-5789.