Code Enforcement

Obetz works hard to ensure that our community looks like a place in which we can be proud to live and work.  Effective building and zoning compliance requires the assistance of residents and businesses in both adhering to the regulations of the City and reporting violations.  The information that residents provide is kept confidential to the extent permitted by law.  

If you have a complaint, you are not required to provide your name unless you would like a request a follow-up call. Complaints may be lodged by phone weekdays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at (614) 491-1080.  Complaints may also be submitted in-person at the Government Center, 4175 Alum Creek Drive.


Submit Complaints Using SeeClickFix

By using SeeClickFix, residents can play an important part in improving our community! Use the SeeClickFix form to report non-emergency concerns that will go directly to City staff for resolution. Residents are encouraged to provide an email to receive updates on their request status.

Please note, SeeClickFix is not to be used for emergencies or for any other requests than those listed. The online service request feature can only be used for routine maintenance issues. For emergencies, call 9-1-1

This interactive web tool enables residents to report concerns, to use the map to see what other issues have been reported, to receive email updates from the City, and to check on the status of requests.

The convenience of SeeClickFix can also be downloaded to your mobile devices at iTunes or Google Play.

How It Works

  • Confirm the location of the issue.
  • Select the Category that best fits the issue.
  • Add a photo (or select “No Photo”).
  • Confirm the details of the issue.
  • Submit as yourself or anonymously.
  • Register or sign in to receive updates.


Here are a few tips that can lead to greater compliance with City codes and fewer complaints from neighbors.

Home Construction

The best advice is to call the Building Department at 614-491-1080 or email Tammy Kitchen before beginning ANY home construction project, including, but not limited to, decks, pools, garages, and three-season rooms.  There are many issues to be considered, including setbacks, easements, lot coverage, utility locations, and deed restrictions.  If you trust a contractor to handle the permit process, you should make sure to keep a copy of all applicable permits before the work starts.  While most contractors understand and comply with the process, some do not, and the homeowner is ultimately responsible for any work that has been completed.


Zoning Permit

A Zoning Permit, “Certificate of Zoning Compliance,” is required before the construction, conversion, enlargement, alteration, or reconstruction of buildings or structures including fences, sheds, detached garages, hot tubs; and, swimming pools that are 24 inches or more in depth.  The purpose of the Zoning Compliance permit is to ensure improvements comply with the zoning code.  If you have additional zoning questions, please contact Stacey Boumis, AICP, Community Services Director, at 614-491-1080 or send an email.


Grass/Weeds

The maximum allowable height for grass and/or weeds in Obetz is six (6) inches.

Parking on Grass

Parking on grass is prohibited.

Excessive Trash or Debris

You should not allow trash or debris to accumulate on your property.


Storage Of Construction Materials

In any residential district, the storage of construction materials on any lot shall be limited to the quantity of material required for the construction, renovation, or enlargement of the dwelling unit or units proposed for that lot, provided the plans for such dwelling unit or units have been previously reviewed by the Zoning Inspector and approved by the Building Department.


Unlicensed or Inoperable Vehicles

Unlicensed or inoperable motor vehicles and equipment including inoperable, disabled, obsolete, parts-vehicles, and/or incomplete contractor equipment, construction equipment, or farming equipment cannot be stored on the property unless in an enclosed structure.  No vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled unless such activities are in an enclosed structure.  A motor vehicle shall be deemed inoperable when any of the following conditions exist:

1. One or more wheels are missing,
2. One or more tires are missing;
3. Two or more tires are flat;
4. One or more windows are missing or broken;
5. The windshield is shattered or missing;
6. Parts necessary for the operation of the vehicle are missing;
7. A license with a distinctive number and valid for the current year is not displayed thereon; or
8.The vehicle is incapable of being propelled under its own power.


Recreational Vehicles (including Boats)

Recreational vehicles must be parked behind the front building line (setback) and be on a paved/hard surface.  The codes further limit the number of boats and/or utility trailers that can be stored to one.


Vehicle Sales

Except for the casual sale of vehicles in accordance with the following provisions, the sale of used or previously owned vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, trailers, recreational and camping vehicles, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles, is not allowed, except in conjunction with dealerships for the sale of new vehicles where the used vehicles are located on the same site as the new vehicle dealerships, and the number of new vehicles on the lot is greater than or equal to the number of used vehicles.  The casual sale of a used vehicle is permitted, provided the vehicle for sale must belong to either the property owner or tenant where the vehicle is placed for sale.  No more than one vehicle may be sold on the parcel at any one time.  Casual sale of such vehicles is restricted to residential districts.


Yard/Garage Sales

An approved permit for each address must be obtained from the City Administrator or his designee at least 3 days before the sale is to take place.  This permit shall be free of charge and shall expire within 30 days.  Once a permit is received, the sale shall be permitted at the location listed on the permit for up to 3 consecutive days.  Not more than 2 such sales at the same location will be permitted in any calendar year and only 1 sale during any month is permitted.  Sales are permitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Sales are limited to residences.  Set up and tear down for the sale is included in the 3 days.  Items for sale may not be displayed before the sale time allowed.  Set up in a building such as a garage is allowed and is not included as part of the 3 days so long as the set up is not open to the public, no sales are made before the dates set forth in the permit, and the set up is not visible from outside the closed area.


Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs

No person shall locate, construct, install, make, change, maintain, or use a private swimming pool unless the pool or the premises upon which it is located is enclosed by a fence or other boundaries not less than sixty inches (60”) in height, measure from the ground level, so constructed and of such strength that children are unable to pass through.  Any entrance or exit gate in such fence shall be equipped with a spring latching type lock or catch and shall automatically close by spring action to the locked or latched position or shall be equipped with a lock requiring a key or the working of a combination to open and be kept securely locked at all times.

No swimming pool shall be located in any front yard on any lot or between any street and any required building line.  A swimming pool may be located in part of the rear yard behind a residence as an additional authorized accessory use.  No swimming pool shall be located closer than ten feet to any property line.

Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair.  All swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs that do not contain water must be covered at all times.  All swimming pools must be covered between the months of November through April except for routine maintenance.  All hot tubs and spas must be covered when not in use.

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