For Residents

Your City

Since 1912, the City of Shaker Heights has been a model suburban community -- carefully planned, beautifully conceived, and composed of an extraordinarily diverse and talented population. Your neighbors were drawn here by outstanding schools, architecturally distinguished housing options, proximity to both downtown and outlying areas, the City’s natural beauty and a compelling sense of connectedness to one’s neighbors.

Your Home

Shaker Heights has retained its distinctive nature over the century of its existence by careful attention to its assets. Whether you rent or buy in Shaker Heights, the quality of your home is a top City priority. The City supports fair housing.

Homeowners:

• View A Homeowner’s Guide to Maintenance or pick up from City Hall.
• View Shaker Village Colors, a guide to exterior paint colors for historic homes, is available online or at City Hall.
• The Architectural Board of Review must approve most exterior changes before work may begin.
• Many home improvement projects require permits.
• Fences and satellite dishes are permitted, with some restrictions.
• Financial assistance programs and other resources are available for assorted home improvements.
• Neighborhood inspections are conducted every 5 years and cover home and garage exteriors as well as yards. Guidelines available online.

Especially for Landlords:

• The City can help promote your rentals and make you more successful! Learn about landlord training and discounted tenant screening.

Your Neighborhood

All Shaker residents are valued – homeowners, landlords and renters. Community (or Neighborhood) Associations can help you feel at home with your neighbors through activities and projects. Ask about your street’s annual block party -- there are as many as 100 block parties in Shaker Heights each summer!

Help Keep Shaker Beautiful:

• Do not place trash on tree lawns. Free weekly backyard trash pickup provided via scooters.
• Shaker collects recycled paper, plastics, metal/aluminum, and glass. Request free recycling containers (separate from trash) from Public Works.
• Trash should be bagged and inside containers with lids. Crews collect a max. of 10 bags.
• Place grass clippings in paper grass/leaf bags (available at area stores) and leave on tree lawn the same day as your scheduled refuse collection. Visit Maps to learn on which day your refuse is collected. Other regulations apply.
• Dispose of used motor oil and old tires at the Service Center, 15600 Chagrin Blvd.
• Dates for recycling computers, phone books, and household hazardous waste are posted online.
• Homeowners must clear sidewalks and driveway aprons of snow and ice.
• Grass over 6” tall is a violation of the Housing Code. If you fail to cut it, the City may cut it for you and will send you a bill.

Be a Good Neighbor:

• Dogs must be registered with Cuyahoga County within 30 days of move-in or pet purchase. Please leash and clean up after your dog. Two dog maximum.
• A noise ordinance limits when and how much noise is permitted, whether it comes from power tools or parties. Be considerate of your neighbors.
• Don’t let an overhanging tree branch ruin a potential friendship! Try to work things out between you in a respectful and courteous manner.

Did You Know That There’s a Law?

• We don’t permit street parking between 2-6 AM. Need an exception? Contact Police.
• We have curfews: 11 PM under age 15; 1 AM ages 15-18.
• We have a city income tax. Register with the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) within four months of move-in.
• We have 200 miles of sidewalks. The City inspects them regularly - check to be sure you have no safety issues.
• We welcome home based businesses, though some restrictions apply.
• Door to door solicitors must carry a license issued by Police; some restrictions apply.
• City Ordinances are available online or at the Public Library.

Your Schools

Shaker Heights has a national reputation for excellence in both its public and its independent schools. Watch for tour-the-school and open house events or arrange an individual tour. Many of the five public K-4 buildings are neighborhood schools, walkable for some children, and focal points for community activity and interaction. Grades are then divided: 5-6 Woodbury Elementary; 7-8 Middle School; 9-12 High School.

Your Safety

Shaker Heights Police and Fire departments are internationally accredited and committed to enhancing your quality of life in a safe and secure environment. Community Associations and a Citizens Police Academy work with police in community-wide safety strategies. Fire Dept. programs, such as Safety Town, car seat instruction, and smoke detector installation, promote life safety education. Additionally, Shaker Heights is one of only two cities in Cuyahoga County with its own Health Department. Health Dept. services include flu shot clinics, immunizations, emergency preparedness resources, among others.

Play it safe.

• Report suspicious behavior, keep garage doors and parked vehicles locked, and turn on home security when your home is vacant. (Safe City Hotline: 216-295-3434)
• Do not park in the street when snow is two or more inches deep.
• Schedule a flu/pneumonia shot or immunization for a fee.
• Wear a bike helmet (required of those age 5 and above) and register your bike.
• Children may not play or ride in the street unless it has been barricaded for a block party.
• Services to seniors include assistance with transportation, life safety alert system, and recreational opportunities.

Your Leisure

Recreational opportunities abound in Shaker Heights – in both natural and manmade venues. From the magnificent Horseshoe Lake Park with its trails, tree house and picnic pavilions to Thornton Park’s Ice Arena and Swimming Pool, there’s something for everyone.

The Places:

• Thornton Park includes a skateboard park, basketball court, Olympic size outdoor swimming pool and indoor ice skating rink.
• Marshall Lake, Horseshoe Lake (and Park), Green Lake (aka, the Duck Pond) and Lower Shaker Lake. Horseshoe Lake Park pavilions may be reserved. Restrictions apply.
• A multi-purpose trail nestled in the Shaker Blvd. median.
• Family Connections at Shaker Family Center with educational, social and recreational opportunities for families with children ages birth-6. (Family Connections: 216-921-2023)
• Shaker Heights Public Library is an award-winning member of the Shaker community. (216-991-2030)

Events: 

• Memorial Day Observance and Parade
• Shaker Heights Arts & Music Festival
• Independence Day Fireworks
• Family Fall Funfest at Shaker Family Center

The Classes/Leagues:

• Classes offered year ‘round.
• Leagues: Baseball, Hockey, Ice Skating, Soccer, more!

The Arts:

• Shaker Arts Council nurtures an environment in which the arts - in all forms - enrich Shaker's culture and character.

Your Government

The Mayor and seven members of Council are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis for four years. Terms are staggered, with the Mayor and four Council members selected at one election and three Council members at the next. (City Hall: 216-491-1400)

Your News

Shaker Life magazine is published six times/year and distributed free to residents. It is also available on newsstands. For the latest in City news, community calendar listings, public meetings, recreational offerings and a host of other important information, visit us here on a regular basis. (Communications & Outreach: 491-1419)

Your Transportation

Ride the Rapid! Shaker Heights is the only Eastside suburb with 2 rapid transit lines. Schedules available online. (GCRTA: 216-566-5100)

Your Utilities

• Find a full list of utilities with links online.
• Natural gas customers in Ohio can choose who provides their service. Public Utilities Commission: 800- 686-7826.
• The City is a member of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) for its electric service aggregation program. Call 800-589-3101.
• Water services: City of Cleveland Division of Water 216-664-2444.
• Sewer services: Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District 216-641-6000.
• Cable/Internet services:
  • AT&T 800-288-2020
  • Time Warner Cable 866-855-5473
  • WOW! Internet and Cable 866-496-9669
• Learn how you can lower your utility bills. Ask about the Go Green program: 216-491-1370.

Your Contacts

Building - new construction, renovation permits - 491-1460
Community Life - recreation, senior adult programming - 491-1295
Economic Development - 491-1334
Fire (non-emergency) - 491-1200
Health - inspections, immunizations, birth/death records - 491-1480
Housing Inspection - property insepctions, nuisance issues - 491-1470
Law - housing discrimination complaints, city ordinances - 491-1440
Planning - zoning, exterior building improvements - 491-1430
Police (non-emergency) - 491-1220
Public Works - streets, sewers, collection, animal control, forestry - 491-1490