Nuisances (RC 505.86)

Excerpt from www.Columbiana-Health.org: 

The Columbiana County Health Department is anxious to assist in the prevention and eradication

of nuisances that may be harmful to the public health. However, nuisances must be

determined to be a public hazard before abatement proceedings will be initiated. Cases

involving civil matters between individuals and not directly affecting the public health are

advised to proceed through private litigation.

Excerpt from Fairfield Township Zoning Resolution, 1997

711.05 Abatement of Dangerous Property Conditions and Nuisances

In conformance with the authorities and procedures provided in the Ohio Revised Code,

the Board of Township Trustees may provide for the removal, repair, or securance of

buildings or other structures in the Township that have been declared insecure, unsafe, or

structurally defective by a fire department under contract with the Township or by the

county building department or other authority responsible under the Ohio Revised Code

for the enforcement of building regulations or the performance of building inspections in

the Township, or buildings or other structures that have been declared unfit for human

habitation by the board of Health of the general health district of which the Township is a part.

Further, the Board of Township Trustees may provide for the abatement, control, or

removal, of vegetation, garbage, refuse, and other debris from land in the Township if the

Board determines that the owner’s maintenance of such vegetation, garbage, refuse, and

other debris constitutes a menace.

If you believe that a property under jurisdiction of Fairfield Township is "insecure, unsafe, or structurally defective" or "unfit for human habitation," you do have remedy to address this. 

• 1. Contact Fairfield Township via email or telephone (330) 853-7132 and provide the property address and facts that you have observed. We will take all pertinent information and open an investigation following the guidelines provided by the Columbiana County Prosecutor and RC 505.86 (attached as reference to the bottom of this page).

  2. Download and mail a Columbiana County Health Department Nuisance Complaint Form to the address provided on the form. If you require assistance with this form, Fairfield Township can assist you.

• • Please note the Township must receive one of the following before it is able to proceed (Per RC 505.86)

  • Written declaration by any fire department under contract with the Township that the building or other structure concerned is insecure, unsafe, or structurally defective; or

  • Written declaration by the Columbiana County Board of Health that the building or other structure concerned is unfit for human habitation. 

Zoning in unincorporated areas is about the overall use of buildings, property and related within a "zoned district" It does not provide a guarantee that properties are aesthetically pleasing and attractive.