Canton, OH Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Canton's vacant and foreclosed property registry ordinance, Canton Codified Ordinances § 1353.05, applies only to a property that is both in default or bank-owned (an REO property) and vacant or showing evidence of vacancy; owner-occupied homes are not covered. The responsible party listed on the registry must inspect the property at least once every seven days and keep visible front and side yards landscaped to the neighborhood standard. The code defines landscape to include grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges and similar plantings, plus decorative rock, bark or artificial turf/sod designed specifically for residential installation; it expressly excludes weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt, decomposed granite, plastic sheeting and indoor-outdoor carpet from counting as landscaping.

The same section requires securing doors, windows and gates, keeping pools and spas clear or drained, and posting a legible 18-by-24-inch sign with a contact number for reporting blight. A property that falls out of compliance becomes a public nuisance under § 1353.06, triggering a written notice from the Chief Building Official and a $150.00 fee to cover the notice and reinspection costs. A responsible party that fails to correct the violation within the deadline faces an administrative penalty of up to $1,000.00 per day, capped at $500,000.00 total, plus interest at the civil-judgment rate, unless it shows an active repair or demolition permit and diligent progress.

The City may also abate the nuisance itself and bill the responsible party for the actual cost. Appeals go to the Board of Building Appeals under Chapter 1305.