Monthly Archives: October 2024

A: It depends on the situation:

• No frequent or continuous animal/bird/vehicle noise that can cross a residential property boundary.
• Mufflers on vehicles must be in good working order.
• Racing the motor, peeling the tires, or causing a vehicle to chatter or backfire is prohibited.
• Burglar, fire, and motor vehicle alarms shall be set to automatically terminate after 2 minutes, or the owner or trustee of the house or vehicle may be cited.
• Loading/unloading is prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
• Loudspeakers/PA systems must not cause a disturbance that crosses residential property boundaries between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Mobile loudspeakers are exempt if the resident has a permit.
• Domestic power tools may not be operated between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. (Codified Ordinance Sections 505.09 & 535.03-535.14)

A: Yes. During any school day, all children between the ages of 6 and 17, inclusive (other than a child who has been expelled from school) shall not be in any place in the City of Garfield Heights between the hours of 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. except in attendance at school, unless that child has written proof from school authorities excusing him or her from attendance. The penalty for the child violating this law is a fourth degree misdemeanor. For the parent or guardian a first offense is a minor misdemeanor. For a second offense, it is a fourth degree misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense is a first degree misdemeanor. (Codified Ordinance Section 531.05)

A: Curfew laws vary with the age of the child and the situation. Minors may not be upon any streets or sidewalks or in a public place (restaurant, bowling alley, shop, theater, store, pool hall, shopping center, and any other place devoted to the amusement or entertainment of the general public) unless accompanied by a relative over 18, a guardian, or some other responsible person over 21 years of age.

• If the minor is attending or actively participating in a school, church, or city-wide event, then the curfew for such a minor shall be extended to one-half hour after the termination of such event.

THE NEW CURFEW HOURS BY AGE ARE:

• Under 12: 9:00 p.m. – dawn
• 13-14: 9:30 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
• 15-16: 11:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
• 17: midnight – 6:00 a.m.

You are free to set curfew hours within your own household, so long as they include the restrictions above. If your child is found by a police officer to be in violation of the curfew laws, the child will be returned to your residence, these laws will be explained to you and the child, and the police officer may issue citations for the violation. The citation for the parent/guardian is for a fourth degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. The penalty for a subsequent violation is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. (Codified Ordinance Section 531.04)

Common Legal Questions Asked by Residents
A: YOU CANNOT PARK CARS ANYWHERE ON YOUR LAWN (FRONTYARD OR BACKYARD). YOU MAY NOT PARK CARS IN YOUR DRIVEWAY IF THEY INTERFERE WITH PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ON THE SIDEWALK.
Cars should be parked in your garage at night. If you have more cars than garage space, you may park them in the driveway, close to the garage. If your residential area allows street parking, you may not park a car within 3 feet of a driveway. (Codified Ordinance Section 351.03)

Common Legal Questions Asked by Residents

Q: What is ethnic intimidation?
A: Ethnic intimidation is a criminal offense under Ohio Revised Code Section 2927.12 and Codified Ordinance Section 541.09. It is a separate offense from aggravated menacing, criminal damaging or endangering, menacing, criminal mischief or telephone harassment when committed because of the victim’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, Vietnam-era or disabled veteran status, or the victim’s desire to live or travel in any neighborhood. Violation of this law is an offense of the next higher degree than the offense, one of those mentioned above, that was committed.