Marion, OH Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 662.07(W), Minimum Sanitation Standards
- Banned on vacant lots
- Garbage, rubbish, refuse, animal wastes, stagnant water, noxious vegetation
- Vegetation test
- No weeds or grass allowed to mature and seed or grow excessive in height
- Permitted fill
- Brick, stone or concrete waste material when used as a fill
- Nuisance defined by
- The Health Commissioner or his or her designee
- First offense
- Minor misdemeanor, fine up to $150.00 (§ 662.10)
- Appeal
- Board of Health, written notice within five (5) days
Summary
Section 662.07(W) of the Marion Codified Ordinances requires every vacant lot or parcel in the City of Marion, Ohio to be kept free of garbage, rubbish, refuse, animal wastes, stagnant water, and noxious or harmful vegetation. Owners and others responsible for the parcel cannot let weeds or grass mature and seed or grow excessive in height.
(W) (1) All vacant lots or parcels of land, every dwelling, multiple dwelling, dwelling unit, accessory structure and the premises on which it is located shall be kept free of garbage, rubbish, refuse, sewage, waste material, animal wastes, stagnant water, offensive or hazardous substances, noxious or harmful vegetation or other conditions which are harmful, create a nuisance and or potential source of breeding, harborage and infestation of insects, vermin, and rodents or as determine by the Health Commissioner. ... (3) No owner, lessee, agent or other person responsible for the parcel of land, premises, or lot, shall allow weeds, grass or other vegetation, to grow to an extent as to allow to, mature and seed, to become excessive in height, to become noxious or harmful to individuals, to become a potential source of breeding and harborage of insects and rodents or create other conditions which become a nuisance as defined by the Health Commissioner or his/her designee.
Full Breakdown
Division (W) of § 662.07, the Minimum Sanitation Standards in Chapter 662, names vacant lots directly. Under (W)(1), all vacant lots or parcels of land, along with every dwelling, multiple dwelling, dwelling unit, accessory structure and the premises, must be kept free of garbage, rubbish, refuse, sewage, waste material, animal wastes, stagnant water, offensive or hazardous substances, noxious or harmful vegetation or other conditions that are harmful, create a nuisance and or are a potential source of breeding, harborage and infestation of insects, vermin, and rodents, as determined by the Health Commissioner.
Division (W)(2) bars throwing, burying or littering on the exterior of any premises, parcel of land or vacant lot any garbage, rubbish, refuse, waste material, unsafe or hazardous material or anything else of an unsanitary nature, unless the material is properly contained or placed for immediate disposal. Waste material such as brick, stone or concrete is allowed for burial when used as a fill.
Division (W)(3) puts the vegetation duty on the owner, lessee, agent or other person responsible for the parcel, premises, or lot: no weeds, grass or other vegetation can be allowed to mature and seed, become excessive in height, become noxious or harmful to individuals, or become a potential source of breeding and harborage of insects and rodents. What counts as a nuisance is defined by the Health Commissioner or his or her designee. Division (W)(4) adds that the owner of a vacant dwelling and any accessory building on the premises is responsible for securing the doors, windows, hatchways or any other entrances.
Section 662.02(A) limits Chapter 662 to residential dwellings only, yet division (W) opens with vacant lots. For any lot or land, Chapter 678 supplies a fixed number: § 678.01 deems excessive height to be twelve (12) inches. Enforcement under § 662.02(B) rests with the Marion County General Health District, and the § 662.05 notice states the time allowed for correction.
Violations & Fines
A person who continues in violation after the correction time stated in the § 662.05 notice is deemed in violation of Section 3709.99 of the Revised Code of Ohio under § 662.10. A first offense is a minor misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $150.00. A second offense within one year is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, punishable by not more than 30 days in jail and/or $250.00. Each later offense within one year after the first is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by not more than 6 months in jail and/or $1,000.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must be kept off a vacant lot in Marion, Ohio?
Can I bury concrete or brick on my vacant lot?
Who decides when weeds on a lot are a nuisance?
What if the vacant property has an empty house on it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion
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