How Parma Handles Building Safety: A Practical Guide

Parma maintains 125 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with building safety. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Parma falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Pest Control

Parma Property Maintenance Code requires owners to maintain structures free of rodents, insects, and vermin. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health handles complaints. Rat harborage on vacant or neglected properties can trigger abatement orders.

Key details: Code: Parma Ch 1361 IPMC. Agency: Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Owner Duty: Extermination required. Standing Water: Mosquito violation.

Notice of violation with 10 to 30 day abatement period. Non-compliance: city may hire exterminator and assess costs to property tax. Fines $100 to $500 per violation.

Lead Paint

Parma homes built before 1978 are subject to federal RRP rule and Ohio Department of Health lead regulations. Cuyahoga County has high childhood lead poisoning rates, making enforcement particularly stringent.

Key details: Federal Rule: EPA RRP pre-1978. State Law: OAC 3701-30. County Program: Cuyahoga lead-safe. Disclosure: Required at sale lease. Fine: Up to 37,500 federal.

RRP violations can result in federal penalties up to 37,500 dollars per violation. Cuyahoga County lead-safe violations carry local fines and rental registration loss.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Parma actively enforces its lead paint requirements.

Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed

Parma requires scaffolding on commercial and multi-story projects to comply with Ohio Building Code and OSHA standards. Building permits include scaffold review for structures over 10 feet. Right-of-way permits required for sidewalk-encroaching scaffolds.

Key details: Code: Ohio Building Code OAC 4101:1. Guardrails: Required over 10 ft. ROW Permit: Required for sidewalk encroachment. Inspections: Pre-occupancy required.

Unpermitted scaffold in right-of-way: stop-work order and removal. OSHA violations referred to state. Fines $150 to $500 per day for non-compliance.

Elevator Maintenance

Ohio Department of Commerce regulates elevators under ORC Chapter 4105 and OAC 4101:5. Annual inspections required by state-licensed inspectors. Parma commercial and multi-family buildings must display current certificates.

Key details: State Law: ORC Chapter 4105. Inspection: Annual required. Certificate: Must be posted. Single-Family: Exempt annual. Agency: Ohio Dept of Commerce.

Operating an uninspected elevator is prohibited and can trigger immediate shutdown orders. Fines under ORC 4105.17 range from 100 to 1,000 dollars per day.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Parma actively enforces its elevator maintenance requirements.

The Bottom Line

Parma is tougher than many cities when it comes to building safety. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Parma, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Parma can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.