Sections 2523: VEGETATION AND WEED CUTTING REQUIRED and 2524: MAINTENANCE OF PLANTINGS of the Shawnee Township Resolution outline the regulations for property maintenance for Shawnee Township. Check out our Zoning page at www.shawneetownshipohio.gov/zoning/

ARTICLE XXV

EXTERIOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE

2523     VEGETATION AND WEED CUTTING REQUIRED

 2523.1  No person owning or being in possession of agricultural, residential, commercial, or industrial parcels within the Township shall fail to keep such property free and clear of uncontrolled vegetation, noxious weeds, or allowed to have a lawn grass height in excess of the permitted height limit of eight-(8) inches or more.

  1. These areas are required to be mowed and trimmed on a regular basis within the growing season of April 1st to November 1st of any given year. Mowing and trimming shall be conducted within the front, side, and rear yard areas within the parcel.

2523.2  Exception:

  1. Residential vacant parcels (without a principal structure) within a platted subdivision shall be required to be mowed and trimmed on a regular basis within the growing season of April 1st to November 1st of any given year. Lawn / Grass height shall not exceed the permitted limit of eight-(8) inches in height.  Mowing and trimming shall be conducted within the front, side, and rear yard areas within the parcel. Noxious weeds, and overgrown vegetation shall also be controlled during the growing season.
  2. Commercial vacant parcels, and industrial vacant parcels are required to be mowed only three times a year during within the growing season from April 1 to November 1st of any given year. Mowing shall be conducted in May, July, and September. Large commercial or industrial sites (20+ acres) are permitted to have areas designated as natural wildlife areas.  Signage may be posted designating these open, undisturbed areas.
  3. Undeveloped woodland areas, wooded areas, natural wildlife habitats, and nature trails areas are to remain in their natural condition, leaving understory growth to retard storm water run-off and prevent erosion.
  4. Agricultural land greater than one acre, owned or possessed by any person or entity that is not agriculturally exempt or utilizing land for agricultural reasons must be kept free and clear of all weeds and rank vegetation, all such weeds and vegetation must be cut whenever such weeds or vegetation have grown to a height of eight-(8) inches or more for the one acre of land surrounding any and all building improvements. Agricultural land greater than five-(5) acres is exempt from mowing requirements.

2523.3  Drainage swales are to be maintained by owners of the parcels on which they are located. At no time shall shrubs and/or trees be planted; nor shall any material, fill or waste be discharged, emptied, or placed into any swale to divert or impede drainage flow. Small swales can be mowed as part of the yard. Larger swales as well as pond banks in meadow situations, should be mowed less frequently in order to allow taller grasses to grow in order to retard runoff and prevent erosion. Swales in woodland areas shall be left in their natural condition, leaving understory growth to retard runoff and prevent erosion.

2523.4  No person shall permit any grass or weeds to grow to a height of eight-(8) inches or more on any section of public right of way, including any easement areas contiguous to their property and on their property side of any pavement traveled by motor vehicles.

2523.5  No person shall permit trees, bushes, shrubs, or other growth to overhang or block any part of a sidewalk for a height of seven (7) feet above said surface; or to overhang or block any part of a paved street or unpaved, but traveled, portion of a street or traffic/safety sign for a height of fifteen (15) feet above the surface.

2524     MAINTENANCE OF PLANTINGS

2324.1  All plant materials, trees, and shrubs, afflicted with decay, disease, insect infestation, or otherwise considered dangerous to other plant material or pose a potential fall hazard to adjoining property owners shall be trimmed, removed, or appropriately treated to reduce or prevent said hazard.

2324.2  No person owning, leasing, operating, occupying, or having charge of land within the Township shall permit trees, bushes, shrubs, or other growth to overhang or block any part of a sidewalk, roadway, or fall within the roadway. The Township shall have the authority to remove said vegetation within the road right of way should it constitute a hazard to persons walking or vehicular traffic utilizing said roadway.