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Garbage must be disposed of once a week, and must be placed in proper waste containers, i.e. garbage cans or dumpsters. Garbage must not be allowed to remain exposed on a premises longer than reasonably necessary to deposit it in proper waste containers. Garbage must not be kept in a manner which creates an odor, or attracts vermin.
Garbage and trash may not be burned or buried on any property except at a licensed solid waste facility. No solid waste of any kind may be burned or buried on any property except as authorized under the Ohio Administrative Code. See “Air Pollution Complaints” regarding the burning of land-clearing wastes.
Lots which are simply unsightly or untidy do not create a health nuisance issue. The county health nuisance regulation does not require the removal of old appliances, old furniture, junk cars, and miscellaneous debris which has been generated on the premises. Yard waste generated on the premises may be disposed of on the premises. If waste generated off-site has been deposited on a lot, then open dumping may have occurred (See “Open Dumping Complaints”).
If the type of material present is not creating a health nuisance issue, then the Health District can take no action, unless it is a regulated solid or infectious waste. Complaints about junk cars and other non-health related issues should be referred to a township zoning inspector, or other appropriate agency.
Scrap tires are a type of solid waste which is regulated by the Health District, and under State law if over one hundred scrap tires are present. Tires can create a health nuisance if they are not mounted on rims, and are not properly stored as they can become breeding sites for mosquitoes when water accumulates in them.
If a complaint investigation reveals scrap tires are present, and they are not on rims, then they must be disposed of at a licensed solid waste facility, or emptied of water and immediately stored so that water does not accumulate in them. Tires may not be burned or buried.
If over one hundred scrap tires are present on a lot then the owner becomes subject to state regulations, and may be required to remove them, or obtain a license to operate a solid waste facility.
Scattered trash or litter does not create a health nuisance issue. Litter is not regulated by the Health District, and the Health District does not enforce local litter laws.
See Solid and Infectious Waste Program, and Vector-borne Disease Control for more information.
Updated: 12/15/2010