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A garbage complaint is valid if there is an accumulation of garbage, and garbage is not being disposed of once a week, if garbage is not being placed in proper waste containers, i.e. garbage cans, is creating an odor, or is attracting vermin. Scattered trash or litter does not create a health nuisance issue, and is not regulated by the Health District. The Health District does not enforce local litter laws.
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.
All debris from the demolition of any man-made structure must be disposed of at a licensed construction and demolition debris facility. Construction debris, as well as trees and brush removed in clearing a construction site can be used as fill material on the site where the material was generated. The construction debris exclusion does not cover the burying of construction material which was not generated on site.
In addition to the exclusion of on-site burial of construction debris, “clean hard fill” materials (reinforced or non-reinforced concrete, asphalt, brick, block, tile, and stone) may be used on site in legitimate fill operations for construction purposes, or to bring the site up to a consistent grade. Clean hard fill does not include any materials which are contaminated with hazardous, solid, or infectious waste.
Lots which are simply unsightly or untidy do not create a health nuisance issue, and the Health District can take no action in such cases. 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. If open dumping has occurred, i.e. if it can be shown that waste generated off-site has been deposited on a lot, then the Health District will take action (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. Yard waste generated on the premises may be disposed of on the premises. 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 regulated by the Health District, and by state law if over one hundred scrap tires are present. Tires can create a health nuisance if they are not mounted on rims, are not properly stored, and water accumulates in them. Tires that have water in them almost always become breeding sites for mosquitoes.
If a complaint investigation reveals scrap tires not mounted on rims which are not properly stored and are holding water, then the Health District will order the owner to dispose of them properly, i.e. at a licensed solid waste facility, or they must be 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 obtain a license to operate a solid waste facility.
See Solid and Infectious Waste Program, and Vector-borne Disease Control for more information.
Updated: 06/22/2009