Animal Control
My neighbor's dog barks all during the night. Can anything be done?
The City has noise ordinances that are enforceable by the Police Department. Please call the Police Department, 216-491-1288, for nuisance complaints when the Animal Warden, 216-491-1490, is not on duty.
What can be done about pet owners not cleaning up after their dogs?
City Ordinances require owners to clean up after their pets. The Animal Warden, 216-491-1490, handles concerns about pet waste in cooperation with the Health Department.
What service does the City provide for animal control?
The Animal Warden is available to help residents when on duty. There is a $60.00 charge for the Warden to respond to residences for service calls when a Warden is not on duty. Complaints about rodents, birds and other animals in homes or surroundings will be handled by the Animal Control Officer on duty. Residents reporting stray animals (dogs, cats, raccoons, etc.) should provide a complete description of the animal, and also should leave their name, address and phone number with the Public Works Department. The Animal Control Officer will not trap for skunks during mating season: May and June. The Public Works Department will not pick up owners’ pets. They must call the Animal Protective League 216-771-4616. After a five-day waiting period, kenneled animals are made available for adoption. Residents may call in or stop by the Service Center to inquire about a lost pet. If a resident’s animal is kenneled, the resident must go to the Police Department to obtain a release form. The police may or may not ticket the resident for the pet running loose.
Environmental
What is the safest way to dispose of medications?
Do not flush medicine down the toilet or rinse it down the drain even if your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Flushed or rinsed medicines flow to septic tanks or local wastewater treatment plants, where they can harm the beneficial bacteria that break down wastes. Learn how to safely dispose of medicines.
Forestry
I sthere any way residents can get a larger or older tree planted if their treelawn tree is scheduled to be replaced?
Yes! When homeowners are scheduled for replacement, they can request a larger caliper tree. Homeowners receive notification approximately two months prior to the planting of a replacement tree. The homeowner should request a "Resident Upgrade Form" (current charge to upgrade the size of the tree will be listed on form) to complete and return with payment. Tree plantings are only scheduled for spring and fall of each year.
Is the City doing anyhting to address the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer? How can we know if we have an ash tree on our property?
In 2006, the City of Shaker Heights created an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. The plan calls for the removal and replacement of all city tree lawn and median ash trees over five years of age. For additional details, type in Emerald Ash Borer into the search window on our website.
To determine whether you have an ash tree on your property, contact Patrick Neville, at (216) 491-1490. He will be glad to inspect your property for ash trees.
There is a downed limb blocking the sidewalk, street or driveway apron. Can the Public Works Department help?
As long as the limb is not on private property the Public Works Department can remove it. If a limb is on a wire, please contact CEI at 800-589-3101.
What is Dutch Elm disease?
Dutch Elm disease results from beetles carrying a fungus that goes through the water-conducting tissue of the American Elm tree. The first sign of disease is when the leaves begin to turn yellow. The Forestry Department investigates reports of Dutch Elm and takes appropriate steps to control its spread.
Where can I get wood chips from the City?
Wood chips are available year round, free of charge and in any amount wanted at the Canoe Club on South Park Blvd. Residents must bring their own containers and shovels.
Who is responsible for trimming my tree lawn trees?
Tree lawn trees are trimmed by the City on a priority basis depending upon how hazardous the condition is. To make a tree trimming request, call the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490.
Who owns and whose maintenance responsibility are the trees that are planted on our tree lawns?
The City of Shaker Heights owns and is responsible for the maintenance (pruning, removal and replacement planting) of the tree lawn trees. Day to day activities, such as watering and raking the leaves in the fall, are the homeowner's responsibility as is the care for the grass on the tree lawn.
Who pays for our treelawn tress?
Funds for maintenance and purchase of new tree lawn trees comes from the Tree Assessment included in your annual property taxes.
Who should the residents contact if there are any problems with the trees on their tree lawn?
Questions about tree lawn trees may be directed to the City's Forester, Patrick Neville, at the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490.
Ice and Snow Removal
The streets are icy and covered with snow. Are crews working?
Yes. Crews are dispatched to the City’s main arteries first and then clear residential streets.
There is a lot of snow on the sidewalk. Can it be removed?
The City clears streets of ice and snow as quickly and efficiently as conditions permit. Residents are responsible for clearing driveways and sidewalks. The City will plow all sidewalks when a snowfall is 6” and at the discretion of the Administration when circumstances warrant (i.e., consistent snowfall which accumulates to 6” or more after several different snow occurrences).
City sidewalk plowing is conducted in the following order:
- Parts of neighborhoods leading to the schools
- Main arteries
- Side streets
Leaf Collection
Can I add my grass clippings and brush to the leaf piles?
Grass clippings may be mixed with the leaves, but do not mix in brush or twigs, which must be collected and composted separately. (Brush mixed with leaves can damage collection equipment and delay pickup.) Brush collection is suspended during the tree lawn leaf collection periods, but resumes on a bi-weekly schedule afterwards.
How will I know when to expect leaf collection?
Signs are posted in neighborhoods one day before anticipated collection. But many residents simply place leaves on the tree lawn at their convenience and let them sit the several days until the next pickup.
Is it required that I have my leaves collected?
No. The City offers leaf collection as a service to residents, but residents may choose to let fallen leaves remain on their lawn as a natural fertilizer, or they can obtain a permit to construct a compost pile. Call the Public Works Department for more information.
Should I bag my leaves or rake them onto my tree lawn for collection?
Twice each year, the City offers leaf collection from the tree lawn: weekly throughout the month of April and on a one- to two-week cycle between October 15 and December 15, providing there is no snowfall. During these periods, residents may rake leaves into piles on the tree lawn only, never into the street. At all other times of the year, leaves must be bagged in specially marked Shaker Heights yard waste bags and put out with the regular rubbish for collection.
Where can I purchase Shaker Heights yard waste bags?
Thirty-gallon bags with the City's logo are available from City Hall, Thornton Park, the Service Center and local merchants for $1. The price covers the actual cost of the bags and helps to offset the expense of collecting and processing the leaves.
Where should I place my leaf bags for collection?
Yard waste bags should be placed in the rear yard alongside the rubbish for pickup on the regular rubbish collection day. NEVER place bags on the tree lawn, as it is a violation of City ordinance.
Will piling leaves on my tree lawn harm the grass below?
The grass beneath a leaf pile may turn yellow, but it will survive. Our collection schedule aims to limit the problem by allowing leaves to remain on a tree lawn no longer than 14 days before collection.
Recycling
Does the City have a Recycling Center?
Yes. The recycling center is open to the public but is primarily for apartment and condo dwellers. Recycling is located in the service yard at 15600 Chagrin between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. (A separate backyard recycling program is available for single and two family buildings.)
Does the City of Shaker Heights have a Recycling Program?
Yes. Newspapers, glass containers, number 1 thru 7 plastic containers, tin, aluminum and bi-metal cans are picked up in the backyards of all single and two family homes in Shaker Heights. Residents are given containers by the City for recycling materials. Click here for more information.
How are household wastes disposed?
Paint The County Paint Round-up is held twice a year. At these times residents can drop off paint and hazardous materials at the Recycle Center in May and October. At other times paints will be collected if dried out. Full cans must be filled with kitty litter or sand to make the paint solid. Once paint is solid, cans can be collected with regular trash. Mercury: (common uses thermometers, mercury solutions, thermostats) To dispose of these items refer residents to the Solid Waste District at 216-443-3749 for disposal information.
How do I dispose of leaves and other yard debris?
During the month of April and from October 15 to December 15, residents may place leaves and grass clippings loose on the tree lawn. During other times of the year, residents must use the specifically marked paper yard waste bags for this material. The bags are available at many area merchants and most City buildings for a cost of $1.00 for each 30-gallon bag. Cost of the bags goes toward paying for the separate collection and composting program. None of this yard waste goes into the sanitary landfill. Brush can be placed on the tree lawn for pick-up separated from leaves and grass clippings. Brush must be cut into lengths no greater than 4 feet and no larger than 6 inches in diameter. Brush pickup is suspended from October 15 to December 15 to concentrate on leaf collection.
Rubbish
Because of the holiday will my trash be picked up one day late?
Collections scheduled on or after the following holidays, unless they fall on a Saturday or Sunday, will normally be one day late: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Can appliances be picked up?
Call the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490, in advance to have appliances and large pieces of furniture scheduled for pickup on your regular collection day, or click here. There is a minimum charge of $20 for a special rubbish pickup. Refrigerator doors must be removed before placing outside for collection.
Do you collect building materials?
Yes, for a fee. A Public Works Supervisor must come to the home the day before the regular pick up is scheduled to determine the charge. The Supervisor will call the resident with the amount to be charged and with instructions about where the check should be left.
Do you pick up tires?
No. Residents may bring them to the Service Yard on Saturdays or Sundays between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. There is a four-tire per person limit. Tires will not be accepted on rims.
My collection crew is usually here before 10:00 AM. They have not come yet, and it’s 11:00 AM. Are they coming?
It may be a holiday week when collection has been delayed by a day. In a non-holiday week, if your rubbish is not collected by 4:00 PM, call the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490, to report a missed rubbish, or click here. Crews work until they finish their route.
My driveway will be worked on and it is my trash day. Where should I put
my trash?
See if the trash can be put in the neighbor’s drive or bring it to the front of the driveway at the tree lawn.
My rubbish was missed. Can someone pick it up?
Call the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490, to report the missed rubbish or click here. The missed rubbish will be picked up the next day.
What are the rules governing rubbish collection?
Please contact the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490, for a refuse collection brochure.
When is my collection day?
Click here to a view a refuse collection map.
Will large containers and boxes be picked up?
Yes.
Sidewalks
I am planning to build a patio. Do you have any used sandstone available for sale?
Broken sidewalk stone is sold Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM only. Residents must load their own stone. Stone cutting is not permitted at the Service Center. The cost is $.26 per pound.
I have received a bill from the City for sidewalk replacement. Can’t I fix the sidewalk myself?
Yes, you can replace it yourself but it will still have to pass a City inspection. The advantage of having the City repair the sidewalks is that you do not have to pay for it until the work has been approved. Remember, that if you hire outside contractors they must be licensed with the City. There have been complaints in the past about inferior work being done by contractors. Another factor to remember is that the City offers competitive pricing for repairing and replacing sidewalks as we are buying in bulk. Contractors are pricing for individual properties.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of sandstone versus concrete?
Sandstone is considered to have more aesthetic appeal by some residents. Sandstone is a natural material and concrete is manmade, so some people have preferences for one or the other. Sandstone is at least twice the price of concrete and can be very slippery when wet. Concrete tends to be safer as it has a coarser texture and gives more traction in wet, snowy or icy conditions. Both are similar in terms of wear and tear.
What happens to the sandstone block that is removed? Can I keep it?
Yes, the property owner can ask to keep it. We know other uses can be found for it in landscaping or patios. When contractors remove old sandstone slabs they are taken to the City Service Yard. Residents can purchase the sandstone there. The price is currently 26 cents per pound.
What materials can be used for sidewalks?
The City only uses sandstone or concrete for sidewalks.
What signs of deterioration are City inspectors looking for when they check sidewalks?
Inspectors check for broken, loose or missing pieces and cracks with a vertical or horizontal separation of 1 inch or more. Heavily worn blocks are also replaced.
Who is responsible for the sidewalks, the City or homeowners?
Individual property owners are responsible for the sidewalks that front their homes, as they are responsible for their driveway aprons. The City is, of course, responsible for sidewalks on public property.
Streets
The curb in front of my house is missing. Can the City fix it?
Curb complaints are placed on an annual replacement list. Call 216-491-1490. Depending upon the severity of the problem, curbs are either repaired by City crews or by a contractor during the year.
There is a chuckhole in the street.
Call the Public Works Department,216-491-1490, or click here, and a crew will be dispatched to fill it.
There is construction on my street; is there a problem?
The Public Works Department is constantly making improvements to the City’s infrastructure. Contact the Department, 216-491-1490, if you would like specific details about the work.
Traffic Signal Project
Why doesn’t the signal at Torrington and S. Woodland change when my car sits in front of the pole with the single red light?
Because of its location, drivers believe they are stopping in the detection area, which is actually closer to the intersection. The signal (located on the back of the pole with two red lights facing the opposite direction) will most likely be removed after the project is turned over to the City (tentatively set for July 31, 2007).
Why doesn’t the signal at Torrington and S. Woodland change when my car sits in front of the pole with the single red light?
Because of its location, drivers believe they are stopping in the detection area, which is actually closer to the intersection. The signal (located on the back of the pole with two red lights facing the opposite direction) will most likely be removed after the project is turned over to the City (tentatively set for July 31, 2007).
Utilities/Construction
My lights are out. Who should I call?
Please call C.E.I. at 888-544-4877.
My water is off or has low water pressure. Can the Public Works Department help?
Please call the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490, to find out if there is a water main break in your area or if work is being done on the lines.
The streetlight in front of my home is out. Can something be done?
Yes. Write down the pole number and call the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490, to report the outage. The outage will be transmitted to CEI.
Who should I call about water coming up into the street?
Contact the Public Works Department, 216-491-1490, to report a water main break. The Cleveland Water Department will be notified.
Why is my water rusty?
The Fire Department may be doing hydrant flushing. Run the water for approximately ten minutes and it should clear up. Also, run water in the washing machine to prevent rust stains on clothes.
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