How Parma Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Parma maintains 125 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. 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.

Trash Bin Storage

Parma Property Maintenance Code requires trash containers to be stored out of public view between collection days, behind the front building line of the house. Containers must have tight-fitting lids and be rodent-proof. Visible curbside storage between pickups violates CO Chapter 1341.

Key details: Code: Parma CO Ch. 1341 (IPMC). Storage: Behind front building line. Lids: Tight-fitting required. Notice: 10 days to cure. Fine: Up to 150 per day.

First notice: 10 days to correct. Continued violation: minor misdemeanor up to 150 dollars per Parma CO 501.99, with each day a separate offense.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Parma requires property owners to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting their property within a reasonable time after snowfall ends, typically 24 hours. Codified Ordinance 521.06 makes failure to clear a minor misdemeanor. Commercial properties face stricter expectations.

Key details: Ordinance: Parma CO 521.06. Timeframe: 24 hours after snowfall. Who: Abutting property owner. Fine: Up to 150 per day. City Clearing: Billed to owner.

First offense: warning and 24 hours to clear. Continued violation: minor misdemeanor, up to 150 dollars per day. City may clear and bill the property owner.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Vacant lots in Parma must be kept free of debris, tall vegetation, and nuisance conditions. Grass and weeds over 8 inches violate CO Chapter 521. Vacant structures must be secured against entry per IPMC §108 and registered with the Building Department under the vacant property program.

Key details: Grass Max: 8 inches. Weed Ordinance: Parma CO 521.10. Vacant Securing: IPMC 108. Abatement: City mow + lien. Land Bank: Cuyahoga County option.

Weed abatement: city mows at owner cost plus 150 dollar admin fee, lien filed. Unsecured vacant structure: minor misdemeanor per day until secured.

Property Blight

Parma aggressively enforces property maintenance standards through Codified Ordinance Chapter 1341 (IPMC) and Chapter 1343 (Point-of-Sale Inspections). Exterior deterioration, peeling paint, broken windows, and structural defects must be repaired. The city's Housing Court and Building Department pursue nuisance abatement.

Key details: Code: Parma CO 1341 (IPMC). Point of Sale: CO Ch. 1343 inspection. Notice: 30 days major repairs. Escalation: M4 repeat: 250/30 days. Demolition: Cost becomes tax lien.

Minor misdemeanor: up to 150 dollars per day. Unsafe structure orders: demolition costs become tax lien. Fourth-degree misdemeanor possible for repeat offenders: up to 250 dollars and 30 days jail.

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

Garage Sale Rules

Parma permits residential garage sales with a permit from the Building Department. Limits are typically 3 sales per address per year, 3 consecutive days each, during daylight hours only. Items sold must be household goods, not newly purchased merchandise for resale.

Key details: Permit: Required, Building Dept.. Frequency: 3 per year typical. Duration: 3 days max. Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM. Items: Household only.

Unpermitted sale or exceeding limits: minor misdemeanor up to 150 dollars per CO 501.99. Commercial operation disguised as garage sale: zoning violation with larger fines.

The Bottom Line

Parma's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Parma is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Parma's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.