Chapter 729 | Assessments - Sidewalks; Sewers

Section 729.01 | Construction or repair of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters at expense of owners.

• Effective: January 1, 1962
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 262 - 104th General Assembly

In addition to the power conferred upon municipal corporations under section 727.01 of the Revised Code to construct sidewalks, curbs, or gutters and levy an assessment therefor, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation may require the construction or repair of sidewalks, curbs, or gutters within the municipal corporation by the owners of lots or lands abutting thereon, and upon the failure of such owners to construct or repair such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters within the time prescribed in the resolution adopted under section 729.02 of the Revised Code, may cause such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters to be constructed or repaired and assess the total cost thereof against the lots or lands abutting thereon, notwithstanding the provisions of sections 727.03 and 727.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 729.02 | Resolutions of necessity for construction or repair of sidewalks, curbs, or gutters.

• Effective: January 1, 1962
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 262 - 104th General Assembly

When it is deemed necessary by a municipal corporation to require the construction or repair of sidewalks, curbs, or gutters within the municipal corporation by the owners of the lots or lands abutting thereon, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation shall cause plans, specifications, and an estimate of the cost of such construction or repair to be prepared, showing the location and dimensions of such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters and the specifications for the construction or repair thereof, and filed in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority. After such plans, specifications, and estimate of cost have been filed, as provided in this section, the legislative authority may declare the necessity for the construction or repair of such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters by the adoption of a resolution which shall:

(A) Approve the plans, specifications, and estimate of cost of the proposed construction or repair on file as provided by this section;

(B) Describe the lots and lands abutting upon the sidewalks, curbs, or gutters to be constructed or repaired by the termini of the improvement or by street address;

(C) Set forth that such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters shall be constructed or repaired by the owners of the lots or lands abutting thereon in accordance with the specifications on file in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation;

(D) Set forth the time within which such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters shall be constructed or repaired by the owners of the lots and lands abutting thereon, which shall not be less than thirty days from the date of service of notice under section 729.03 of the Revised Code, on the owner of the lots or lands;

(E) State that in the event such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters are not constructed or repaired by the owners of the lots and lands abutting thereon in accordance with such plans and specifications and within the time prescribed in this resolution, the municipal corporation will so construct or repair such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters and assess the cost thereof against the lots and lands abutting thereon.

Section 729.03 | Notice to construct or repair sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.

• Effective: January 1, 1962
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 262 - 104th General Assembly

Notice of the passage of a resolution of necessity under section 729.02 of the Revised Code shall be served by the clerk of the legislative authority, or a person designated by such clerk, upon the owners of the lots or lands abutting upon the sidewalks, curbs, or gutters to be constructed or repaired in the same manner as service of summons in civil cases, or by certified mail addressed to such owner at his last known address or to the address to which tax bills are sent, or by a combination of the foregoing methods. If it appears by the return of service or the return of the certified mail notice that one or more of the owners cannot be found, such owners shall be served by publication of the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipal corporation. The return of the person serving the notice or a certified copy thereof or a returned receipt for notice forwarded by certified mail accepted by the addressee or anyone purporting to act for him shall be prima-facie evidence of the service of notice under this section. Such notice shall also set forth the place where the specifications governing the construction or repair of such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters are on file, the time within which the owner of such lot or parcel of land may construct or repair such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters, and that in the event such owner does not construct or repair such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters in accordance with such specifications and within such time, the municipal corporation will construct or repair such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters and assess the costs thereof against the lot or land of such owner.

Section 729.04 | Assessment of costs of improvements.

• Effective: October 9, 1963
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 19 - 105th General Assembly

Upon the expiration of the time within which sidewalks, curbs, or gutters shall be constructed or repaired by the owner of the lots or lands abutting thereon as set forth in the resolution adopted under section 729.02 of the Revised Code, the sidewalks, curbs, or gutters not constructed or repaired by the owners of the lots and lands abutting thereon shall be constructed or repaired by the municipal corporation in accordance with the resolution adopted under section 729.02 of the Revised Code, and the legislative authority of the municipal corporation shall, upon the completion of such construction or repair, assess the cost thereof against the lots or lands abutting thereon.

In anticipation of the collection of the cost of the construction or repair of such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters from the owners of the lots or lands abutting thereon, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation may provide for the issuance of bonds or notes and the proceeds thereof shall be used to pay for the construction or repair of such sidewalks, curbs, or gutters.

Section 729.05 | Assessment proceedings may include different owners on different streets.

• Effective: January 1, 1962
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 262 - 104th General Assembly

In all proceedings pertaining to the construction or repair of sidewalks, curbs, or gutters under sections 729.01 to 729.08, inclusive, of the Revised Code, sidewalks, curbs, or gutters upon different streets abutting upon lots or lands owned by different owners may be included in the same resolution, notice, contract, ordinance, or other proceedings.

Section 729.06 | Requiring installation of sewer or water connections.

• Effective: January 1, 1962
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 262 - 104th General Assembly

In addition to the power conferred upon municipal corporations under section 727.01 of the Revised Code to levy and collect special assessments, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation may require the installation of sewer or water connections and assess the cost thereof as provided in this section.

Whenever the legislative authority of a municipal corporation deems it necessary, in view of contemplated street paving or as a sanitary regulation, that sewer or water connections or both be installed, the legislative authority shall cause written notice thereof to be given to the owner of each lot or parcel of land to which such connections are to be made, which notice shall state the number and the character of connections required.

The notice under this section shall be served by the clerk of the legislative authority, or a person designated by such clerk, upon the owners of the lots or parcels of land to which such connections are to be made in the same manner as service of summons in civil cases, or by certified mail addressed to such owner at his last known address or to the address to which tax bills are sent, or by a combination of the foregoing methods. If it appears by the return of service or the return of the certified mail notice that one or more of such owners cannot be found, such owners shall be served by publication of the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipal corporation. The return of the person serving the notice or a certified copy thereof or a returned receipt for notice forwarded by certified mail accepted by the addressee or anyone purporting to act for him shall be prima-facie evidence of the service of notice under this section.

If said connections are not installed within thirty days from the date of service of such notice, the work may be done by the municipal corporation and the cost thereof together with a forfeiture of five per cent, assessed against the lots and lands for which such connections are made.

Section 729.07 | List of estimated assessments.

• Effective: January 1, 1962
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 262 - 104th General Assembly

Upon completion of the construction or repair of sidewalks, curbs, or gutters under sections 729.01 to 729.05, inclusive, of the Revised Code, or the installing of sewer or water connections under section 729.06 of the Revised Code, the total cost of such construction, repair, or installation as defined in section 727.08 of the Revised Code, shall be ascertained and reported to the legislative authority by its clerk, and the legislative authority shall cause a list of estimated assessments to be prepared. Such list shall include the total cost of such construction, repair, or installation to each lot or land abutting upon such construction, repair, or installation and shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority and be available for public inspection.

Section 729.08 | Publication of notice of estimate.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

The legislative authority of the municipal corporation shall cause a notice to be published for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, stating that such list of estimated assessments has been made and is on file in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority for the inspection and examination of persons interested therein.

If any person objects to an assessment on such list, the person shall file the objection in writing with the clerk of the legislative authority within two weeks after the expiration of the notice provided in this section.

Section 729.09 | Adoption of assessment ordinance.

• Effective: August 25, 1981
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 68 - 114th General Assembly

The clerk of the legislative authority shall deliver the objections received under section 729.08 of the Revised Code to the legislative authority of the municipal corporation. The legislative authority shall review the written objections and shall adopt an ordinance levying upon the lots and lands enumerated in the list of estimated assessments the amounts set forth on such list with such changes or corrections as the legislative authority shall determine to be proper after consideration of the written objections filed under section 729.08 of the Revised Code. Such ordinance shall state the number of annual installments, not exceeding ten, over which the assessments shall be payable and shall establish a period of time during which the assessments shall be payable in cash.

Section 729.10 | Procedure for assessments.

• Effective: January 1, 1962
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 262 - 104th General Assembly

The provisions of sections 727.26 to 727.43, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall apply to and govern the proceedings taken under and the assessments levied under sections 729.01 to 729.09, inclusive, of the Revised Code. The proceedings taken under sections 729.01 to 729.10, inclusive, of the Revised Code shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of section 727.40 of the Revised Code.

Section 729.11 | Ordinance for construction, enlargement, or improvement of system of storm or sanitary sewerage.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

In addition to the power conferred upon municipal corporations under section 727.01 of the Revised Code to levy and collect special assessments, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation may, whenever it has determined by ordinance that it is necessary to construct, enlarge, or improve a system of storm or sanitary sewerage for the municipal corporation or any part thereof, including sewage disposal works, treatment plants, and sewage pumping stations, or a water supply system for the municipal corporation or any part thereof including mains, dams, reservoirs, wells, intakes, purification works, and pumping stations, and that any such improvement shall be constructed, enlarged, or improved, may levy upon property to be benefited in the municipal corporation or any designated part thereof, which property shall be described in the ordinance, a preliminary assessment upon the benefited lots and lands within the corporation or such part thereof, apportioned according to benefits or to the tax valuation or partly by one method and partly by the other, as the legislative authority determines for the purpose of paying the costs of general and detailed plans, specifications, estimates, preparation of the tentative assessment, financing, and legal services incident to the preparation of such plans, and a plan for financing the proposed improvements.

Prior to the adoption of such ordinance, the legislative authority of such municipal corporation shall give notice of the pendency thereof and of the proposed determination of the necessity of the improvement therein generally described, which notice shall set forth the description of the benefited property as designated in the ordinance and the time and place of hearing of objections to and endorsements of the improvement. Such notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation once a week for two consecutive weeks or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, the first publication to be at least two weeks prior to the date set for the hearing. At such hearing, or at any adjournment thereof, of which no further published notice need be given, the legislative authority shall hear all persons whose properties are proposed to be assessed, and such evidence as is deemed to be necessary, and shall then determine the necessity of the proposed improvement and in addition shall determine whether the improvement shall be made by the municipal corporation, and shall direct the preparation of tentative assessments upon the benefited properties and by whom they shall be prepared.

Such assessments shall be in the amount determined to be necessary by the legislative authority to pay the costs of general and detailed plans, specifications, estimates of cost, preparation of the tentative assessment, financing and legal services incident to the preparation of such plans, and a plan of financing the proposed improvements, and shall be payable in such number of years as the legislative authority determines, not to exceed twenty, together with interest on any notes which may be issued in anticipation of the collection of such assessments.

The legislative authority may at any time levy additional assessments according to benefits or to tax valuation or partly by one method and partly by the other as the legislative authority determines for such purposes upon such properties to complete the payment of such costs or to pay the cost of any additional plans, specifications, estimates of cost, tentative assessments, and the cost of financing and legal services incident to the preparation of such plans and such plan of financing, which additional assessments shall be payable in such number of years as the legislative authority determines, not to exceed twenty years, together with interest on any notes and bonds which may be issued in anticipation of the collection thereof.

Upon completion of the tentative assessments or any additional assessments, they shall be filed with the clerk of the legislative authority and shall be and remain open to public inspection, and thereupon, the legislative authority shall give at least ten days' notice of the filing thereof in one newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation, or shall give notice as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, which notice shall state the time and place when and where such tentative assessments shall be taken up for consideration. At such time and place or at any adjournment thereof, of which no further published notice need be given, the legislative authority shall hear all persons whose properties are proposed to be assessed, shall correct any errors and make any revisions that appear to be necessary or just, and may then pass an ordinance levying upon the properties determined to be benefited such assessments as so corrected and revised.

The assessments levied by such ordinance shall be certified to the county auditor for collection as other taxes in the year or years in which they are payable; provided any such assessment in the amount of five dollars or less, or any unpaid balance of any such assessment which is five dollars or less, shall be paid in full, and not in installments, at the time the first or next installment would otherwise become due and payable.

Upon the adoption of such ordinance levying assessments the legislative authority may authorize contracts to carry out the purposes for which such assessments have been levied without the prior issuance of notes and bonds; provided that the payments due by the municipal corporation do not fall due prior to the times in which such assessments shall be collected. The municipal corporation may also issue and sell its bonds with a maximum maturity of twenty years in anticipation of the collection of such assessments and may issue its notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds, which notes and bonds shall be issued and sold as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code.

Section 729.12 | New curbs to have ramped curbing for handicapped.

• Effective: August 12, 1975
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 85 - 111th General Assembly

All new curbs that are authorized by any municipal corporation or township, and all existing curbs which are part of any reconstruction, shall have a ramp with nonslip surface built into the curb at each pedestrian crosswalk so that the sidewalk and street blend to a common level. Such ramps shall be not less than forty inches wide and shall insofar as feasible be constructed in accordance with the standard drawings and specifications for curb ramps of the department of transportation.

Section 729.42 | Two or more municipal corporations may construct joint sewers.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The legislative authorities of two or more municipal corporations may provide for the construction of a main sewer and branches jointly by such municipal corporations for the sewering and draining of such municipal corporations or any part thereof, and agree upon the plan and location of such main sewer, the terms on which it shall be constructed and maintained for common use, and the portion of the cost thereof to be paid by each municipal corporation. For this purpose such municipal corporations may jointly appropriate land either within or without their respective limits.

Section 729.43 | Payment of cost of joint sewers; exemption.

• Effective: June 30, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 26 - 132nd General Assembly

The legislative authority of each municipal corporation shall provide for assessing such portion of the cost and expenses of constructing any main sewer or drain under section 729.42 of the Revised Code as it determines to be a proper charge upon the lots and lands within the respective municipal corporations benefited thereby. Any excess over such assessment shall be paid from the sewer funds of the municipal corporations respectively, or if they or either of them are divided into sewer districts, from the sewer fund of the district directly or indirectly sewered in whole or in part thereby. If more than one district is so sewered thereby, the legislative authority shall apportion the amount to be paid by each district or assessed against the property therein, or such legislative authorities, or either, may determine to place the whole cost, or any part thereof, upon the general tax duplicate.

The portion of lots and lands owned by a railroad as defined in section 4907.02 of the Revised Code that are covered by railroad track are exempt from sewer or drain assessments required by this section.

Section 729.44 | Advertisement for bids.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The advertisement for bids for the construction of a sewer under section 729.42 of the Revised Code shall be joint, and shall be filed with the clerk of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, and reported to the legislative authority of each such municipal corporation. Any contract made for the construction of such sewer shall be in the names of the municipal corporations jointly, but each shall be liable only for such portion of the cost as is specified in the ordinances providing therefor.

Section 729.45 | Joint management of sewerage system.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Upon completion, the main sewer or drain, branches, and appurtenances constructed under section 729.42 of the Revised Code shall be the property of the municipal corporations jointly, and they may take all necessary steps to keep them in proper repair and condition and to protect them from damage and improper use. Such municipal corporations may, by ordinance jointly passed, prescribe the terms, including the price to be paid therefor, upon which other municipal corporations, public institutions, or individuals may connect with and use such main sewer or drain, and the disposition of the fund arising therefrom.

Section 729.46 | Repairs of sewers and ditches.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may provide for the repair or reconstruction of any sewer, ditch, or drain and the proceedings for that purpose shall be the same, so far as applicable, as are required for the original construction thereof.

Section 729.47 | Construction and maintenance of sewer pumping stations.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 361 - 100th General Assembly

The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, in accordance with Title VII of the Revised Code, may provide for the construction and maintenance of sewer pumping stations, equip them with necessary machinery and apparatus and provide the necessary buildings therefor.

Section 729.48 | Sewerage farm.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

A municipal corporation may purchase and hold land outside its limits, to be used as a sewerage farm, and may construct and maintain thereon all the necessary appliances for the proper disposal of the sewage of such municipal corporation, under such rules and regulations as are prescribed by the legislative authority thereof and approved by the department of health.

Section 729.49 | Sewerage rates or charges of rent.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The legislative authority of a municipal corporation which has installed or is installing sewerage, a system of sewerage, sewage pumping works, or sewage treatment or disposal works for public use, may, by ordinance, establish just and equitable rates or charges of rents to be paid to the municipal corporation for the use of such services, by every person, firm, or corporation whose premises are served by a connection thereof. Such charges shall constitute a lien upon the property served by such connection and if not paid when due shall be collected in the same manner as other municipal corporation taxes. The legislative authority may change such rates or charges from time to time as is deemed advisable. The legislative authority of a municipal corporation operating under a charter may establish such schedule of rates and provide for its administration by designating the department or officer to be charged with the enforcement of sections 729.49 to 729.52, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

Section 729.50 | Management and control of sewerage system.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

In a city the director of public service shall manage, conduct, and control the sewerage system and sewage pumping, treatment, and disposal works mentioned in section 729.49 of the Revised Code, and, when the legislative authority thereof has established a schedule of rates or charges of rents therefor, the director shall collect sewer rentals, and shall appoint the necessary officers and agents for such purposes.

When the legislative authority of a village has established a schedule of rates or charges of rents for such use, such duties shall be performed by the board of trustees of public affairs. The board shall assume all duties, in relation to sewers, imposed upon the street commissioner by section 735.32 of the Revised Code, whereupon the street commissioner shall be relieved of such duties.

Section 729.51 | Bylaws and regulations.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The director of public service and the board of trustees of public affairs may make such bylaws and regulations as are necessary for the safe, economical, and efficient management and protection of the sewerage system and sewage pumping, treatment, and disposal works mentioned in section 729.49 of the Revised Code, and for the construction and use of house sewers and their connections to the sewerage system. Such bylaws and regulations shall have the same effect as ordinances, when not repugnant thereto, or to the constitution or laws of the state.

Section 729.52 | Funds from sewer rentals deposited into sewer fund.

• Effective: March 18, 1969
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 108th General Assembly

The funds received from the collection of sewer rentals under section 729.49 of the Revised Code shall be deposited weekly with the treasurer of the municipal corporation. Money so deposited shall be kept as a separate and distinct fund and shall be known as the sewer fund. When appropriated by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, the fund shall be subject to the order of the director of public service of a city or of the board of trustees of public affairs of a village. The director or board shall sign all orders drawn on the treasurer of the municipal corporation against such fund, which fund shall be used for the payment of the cost of the management, maintenance, operation, and repair of the sewerage system and sewage pumping, treatment, and disposal works. Any surplus in such fund may be used for the enlargement or replacement of the system and works, for construction and reconstruction of main and interceptor storm sewers, for the payment of the interest on any debt incurred for the construction thereof, and for the creation of a sinking fund for the payment of such debt, but shall not be used for the extension of a sewerage system to serve unsewered areas or for any other purpose; provided, where such municipal corporation does not operate or maintain a sewage pumping, treatment, and disposal works, any or all of such surplus may be transferred to the general fund of the municipal corporation in the manner provided in sections 5705.15 and 5705.16 of the Revised Code.