A Letter to the Citizens of Berea from the Berea Exterior Maintenance Committee:

Barns	Fences	Railings
Chimneys	Floors	Roofs
Decks	Foundations	Sheds
Doors	Garages	Steps
Driveways	Gutters	Window Frames
Exterior Walls	Porches	Windows

Please note this is a partial list of the most common items. Specific questions should be referred to the Exterior Maintenance Department at 440-826-5802.

Do I need to repair my roof and gutters?
Individual shingles that are loose or missing must be replaced. However, when 25% or more of the shingles are missing or deteriorated, the entire roof must be replaced. In addition, roofs must be kept clear of debris, including moss and mildew. All gutters must be properly attached, kept in good working order and free from rust and corrosion.

What type of yard maintenance is required?
City code requires that grass and weeds be kept to a height of 6 inches or less. When grass and weeds have grown higher than 6 inches, the City Service Department is permitted to cut the grass and weeds at the property owner's expense. Also, all exterior yard areas must be kept free of debris, trash, broken glass, stumps, dilapidated auto parts and similar items.

Are gravel driveways legal?
Any new driveway or parking area or any expansion of an existing driveway or parking area must have a surface made of concrete, asphalt or other suitable hard surface. Gravel driveways and parking areas built prior to 1997 are permitted to remain. Driveways extending beyond the width of the garage may require the approval of the Municipal Planning Commission.

What are the requirements of the new wood pile ordinance?
All wood that is stored outside must be put into stacks that are: not closer than 5 feet from any property line and not closer than 3 feet from the main structure, not higher than 5 feet in height, elevated at least 9 inches off of the ground, unless stored on a hard surface, and not stored in front of the front building line.

When should garbage cans be put out for pick up?
Garbage cans and waste receptacles are not to be put out for collection before 4:30 p.m. on the day before the collection day. All garbage cans and waste receptacles must be removed from the tree lawn or collection area within 24 hours after collection. In addition, garbage cans and waste receptacles are not to be stored in front of the front building line.

Are there requirements for swimming pools?
In order to prevent children from entering unsupervised swimming pools, all swimming pools must be enclosed by a fence or wall that is at least 60 inches in height. The two most common ways of meeting this requirement are either to put a fence or wall around the pool itself or around the entire yard in which the pool is located.When covering a pool at the end of the season, the pool cover must be constructed so as to prevent standing water from collecting on the surface of the cover.

Where am I not allowed to park my motor vehicle?
Among other parking requirements, motor vehicles cannot be parked on a lawn, tree lawn, over a sidewalk, within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, within 30 feet of a stop sign or a traffic signal or on a cul-de-sac. Vehicles are not permitted to be parked on any City street from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Likewise, abandoned vehicles and vehicles without a current license may only be stored in a garage or accessory building. An abandoned vehicle is a vehicle that is dismantled or inoperative.

What happens if my property is in violation?
It is the City’s intent to work with residents to bring all properties into compliance with these Codes. Nevertheless, violations of the above sections are criminal violations which could result in criminal penalties for the offender.

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In closing, let us say the City of Berea encourages all citizens to participate in the betterment of our City.

It is the City of Berea's intention and goal to give the properly owners in violation of the exterior maintenance laws, the chance to correct the violations, either through voluntary actions or with the help and cooperation of City and County grant programs.

If you find that you are in need of financial assistance or help around your home, there are assistance programs available and you may qualify. Please call the Community Development Department at 826-5802 for more information.

These are better options than citations and court appearances that will force property owners to comply.

The majority of property owners in Berea maintain their properties within the guidelines of the exterior maintenance codes. It is only fair to the people who do comply that the City enforce the laws so that all property values remain high.

Please work to eliminate blight in our City in any form. When citizens work together for a good cause, only good will result. By cooperating with your neighbors, volunteer groups, City workers, safety forces, or elected officials we can all work together to maintain the beauty of our City. Whether it is picking up a piece of paper to put into a trash can or picking up an aluminum can to put into a recycling bucket, everything helps to better enhance the City of Berea.

We cannot think of a better cause than the preservation of our City on the highest level to pass on to future generations.

Sincerely,

THE EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
Cyril M. Kleem, Mayor
Charles R. Stanislav, Chairperson
Robert K. Burk
Thomas Goebel
Matthew J. Madzy, Asst. Law Director
James Soppelsa