View the complete Codified Ordinances of the City of Mentor.

Disclaimer: Notice to On-line Users This on-line version of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Mentor, related legislation, and regulations is not the official version. The only officially published version is available through the office of the Clerk of Council, located at City Hall, phone (440) 974-5755. This on-line version may, occasionally, differ from the official version and should be relied upon for general information purposes only.

This is a summary of selected Mentor City Ordinances and Programs that are most commonly encountered by citizens.

Bicycles
Licenses and registration are available for all bicycles operated within Mentor. Permits can be obtained from the Mentor Police Department. When riding on a road, cyclists must follow traffic signals and laws, and ride with traffic. Bike paths are provided for pedestrians and bicyclists. Bike lanes are exclusively for bicycles, unless there is no sidewalk or shoulder. Mentor is one of only two Bicycle Friendly Communities in the Greater Cleveland Area.

Building Permits
Building Permits are required for all construction including decks, pools, sheds (greater than 200 square feet), porches, enclosures, etc. Permits are obtained through the 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, 200 square feet and less, built from a kit can be obtained at the time of submission) as a Zoning Permit. A permit fee is charged, along with a refundable construction deposit, which can be returned if the structure passes all inspections.

Cars for Sale
Vehicles for sale must be titled to the current resident, be 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 PM to 5 AM; persons 12 to 16 years of age from 11 PM to 5 AM, and 16 to 18 year olds from midnight to 5 AM.

Dead Animals
If dead animals are observed on City roadways, contact the Maintenance Facility at 974-5781 weekdays, 7 AM to 4 PM; 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.

Garage Sales
A permit is not required for a garage sale. 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 (under 8"). 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 at the owner’s expense. Call 974-5740 with questions.

Home Occupations
Any business operation conducted out of a residence requires a permit. One type of 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 conspicuous location for efficient police, fire and postal services. Numbers no less than four inches tall are to be displayed on houses less than 61 feet from the road right-of-way. Numbers at least six inches tall are to be displayed on houses located between 61 feet to 100 feet from the road right-of-way.

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 up to 2%. 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 Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) by calling 800-860-RITA (7482). Download municipal income tax forms from RITA's web site at www.ritaohio.com. RITA also maintains an office adjacent to the Finance Department at Mentor City Hall. Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 8 - Noon and 1 P.M. to 5 P.M.

Jogging
Joggers are encouraged to pursue their recreational activity of choice in a safe and responsible manner, and to follow these 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.

Light Trespass
High Intensity Density (HID) lighting must have full cut-off fixtures or be shielded to prevent trespass or glare. All spot or flood lighting must be shielded or aimed to prevent light trespass.

Mosquito Control
The Lake County Health District oversees mosquito control in the City. Spraying schedules are posted on The Mentor Channel 12. To report a problem in your area call 974-5720. If you have concerns about the spraying, call the Health District at 350-2543.

Noise
No person shall unreasonably create a noise disturbance within the City. Any noise which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person, or causes adverse affects on humans is prohibited (before 7 AM or after 9 PM weekdays, before 8:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday).

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 of 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, without 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.
  
  
• Unlicensed Vehicles
  Unlicensed motor vehicles must not 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.

Recycling
Collection of recyclable materials is available through a subscription service. Call the program manager at 440-974-5780 for more information.

Refuse Collection (Commercial & Industrial)
Any commercial or industrial rubbish hauler collecting in the City of Mentor is required to obtain a contractor’s license and vehicle permit.

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.

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 as are certain hills and bridges. Residential neighborhoods are cleared when conditions warrant. Call 440 974-5781 with routine 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 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.

Solicitation
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.

Streetlights
Streetlights within the City of Mentor are paid for through assessment of those benefiting property owners. If you observe a streetlight in need of repair, call the Mentor Police Department at 974-5789.

Traffic Signals/Signs
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.

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 or treelawn. Call 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.

Yard Waste Collection
The City of Mentor provides for a weekly, curbside collection of yard waste materials for all single-family homes. Yard waste is defined as leaves, grass clippings, garden waste and smaller tree branches. Brush should be stacked 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. This program does not provide for the clearing of lots, removal of complete trees, or as a service to businesses. The program operates from early April through the end of December.