Medina, OH Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2012 International Property Maintenance Code
- Habitability trigger
- Inadequate maintenance, decay, failed mechanical or plumbing systems
- Enforcing official
- Medina Chief Building Official / code official
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine and/or 3 months, per day
- Emergency power
- Code official may disconnect utilities in emergencies
Summary
Medina enforces habitability through the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code, adopted by Chapter 1381. A dwelling the code official finds unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or likely to cause sickness because of inadequate maintenance, decay, or failed mechanical systems is classified a dangerous structure under the city's own Section 108.1.5 amendment.
108.1.5 Dangerous structure or premises. For the purpose of this code, any structure or premises that has any or all of the conditions or defects described below shall be considered dangerous: ... 9. A building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, ventilation, mechanical or plumbing system, or otherwise, is determined by the code official to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025-01: Local legislation current through June 24, 2025 | State legislation current through December 31, 2024).
Full Breakdown
01 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 Edition, as the City's Property Maintenance Code, administered by the Chief Building Official. 5, "Dangerous structure or premises," listing eleven specific conditions that make a structure dangerous, from failed egress and warped stairways to fire damage and inadequate structural anchoring. Item 9 targets habitability directly: a dwelling is dangerous if inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, faulty construction or arrangement, or inadequate light, ventilation, or mechanical or plumbing systems lead the code official to determine it is unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease.
6, by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or other corrective action. 7. A finding under item 9 can support a stop-work or vacate order and starts the abatement clock for the responsible owner.
Violations & Fines
Owners who fail to correct conditions the code official flags under Section 108.1.5(9) face enforcement through the Property Maintenance Code, Section 1381.99, which applies the Building Code penalty in Section 1301.99 when no other penalty is specified: a fine of up to $1,000, up to three months' imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a rental unfit for human habitation in Medina?
Who decides a rental is uninhabitable in Medina?
What can happen if a landlord ignores an uninhabitable finding?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Medina
Compare Medina to another location·View the Ohio rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.