Parma, OH Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Reporting standard
- Any person may report a suspected violation
- City duty
- Commissioner must examine 'forthwith'
- Notice method
- Mailed to last known or permit address
- Handling office
- Division of Buildings, Building Commissioner
- Penalty for noncompliance
- First-degree misdemeanor, Section 1501.99
Summary
Any person who tells Parma's Building Commissioner that a property is violating a City ordinance triggers a mandatory investigation under Section 1501.11. The Commissioner must examine the condition forthwith and, if a violation is confirmed, order the responsible owner, lessee, or tenant to bring it into compliance.
When any person represents to the Building Commissioner that a condition or thing exists which is in violation of the laws or ordinances, with the enforcement of which he is charged, it shall be his duty to examine forthwith such condition or thing or cause it to be examined, and if such violation is found to exist, the Commissioner shall immediately order the owner, lessee, tenant or other person in charge thereof or responsible therefor to comply with the laws and ordinances of the City which regulate the same. It shall be deemed sufficient notice if sent by mail to the last known address or to the address given in the application for a building permit or in the notice of complaint.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-30: Local legislation current to August 3, 2026 | State legislation current to June 25, 2025).
Full Breakdown
11 of the Building Code sets Parma's reporting mechanism: when any person represents to the Building Commissioner that a condition exists in violation of a law or ordinance the Commissioner is charged with enforcing, it becomes the Commissioner's duty to examine that condition forthwith, personally or through a designee. If the examination confirms a violation, the Commissioner must immediately order the owner, lessee, tenant, or other person in charge of, or responsible for, the property to comply with the applicable City law. The Commissioner satisfies the notice requirement by mailing the order to the person's last known address, or to the address given on a building permit application or in their own notice of complaint, so a resident who reports a problem using an address on file has effectively created the mailing address the City will use to follow up.
05 with inspecting buildings and enforcing the Building Code covering construction, alteration, repair, plumbing, electrical wiring, and fire protection devices, and must keep a daily report of the Division's work. 03 lets the Code Official issue a written notice and order to repair, improve, or demolish once a violation of the Housing or Property Maintenance Code is found. 11, while housing and exterior-maintenance complaints are handled through the Code Official's notice process.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with a Commissioner's order issued after a substantiated report is enforced as a Building Code violation: Section 1501.99 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor, with a separate offense for each day the condition continues, and a contractor found in violation can have City registration revoked for up to one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a code violation in Parma?
Do I have to give my name to report a violation?
What happens after I report a problem?
What if the owner ignores the Commissioner's order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Parma
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