Frequently Asked Questions

You can also request records from a specific department (for example Police records) by contacting the department via the Contact Us page. Requests for public records can be made in person at the Council Office at Tallmadge City Hall, in writing or by calling 330-633-0856.

Use the Contact Your Councilperson Page.  To find out who your Ward Councilperson is call the Council Office at 330-633-0856.

Use the Summit County Polling Location Lookup by street address or the Portage County Polling Location Lookup by street address.  You can call the Portage County Board of Elections at (330) 297-3511 or the Summit County Board of Elections at (330) 643-5200.

Regular Council meetings are held on the the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6 pm.  Meetings are held in Council Chambers at the Tallmadge City Building, 46 North Avenue and are Live Streamed on the City YouTube page.

Reserving use of the Tallmadge Circle Park requires approval from the Tallmadge City Council. Call the Clerk's office for more information at 330-633-0856.

Call or email your Councilperson directly (use the Contact Your Councilperson page).  You can also call the Council Office at 330-633-0856. 

Public input is invited at the beginning of the meeting to discuss an item not on the agenda. If an item is on the agenda or set for public hearing, public input is invited at the appropriate time on the agenda as recognized by President of Council or Committee Chair. Please wait until you are recognized, state your name, and address so that your comments may be properly recorded and limit your remarks to a period of two (2) minutes or less.

Anyone wishing to address Council is encouraged to register with the Clerk of Council via phone (330-633-0856) or through the website form by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Written comments may be submitted to Council and should be received by 3 pm on the day of the meeting. All comments will be provided to the Council members before the meeting if received by the deadline. Written comments and participation registration may be submitted via:

1. City Website https://tallmadgeoh.gov/meetingregistration
2. Email  council@tallmadgeoh.gov
3. USPS mail (46 North Avenue, Tallmadge, OH 44278)

Approved meeting minutes (PDF versions) are available online in the Council Agenda Center.  Paper copies can be obtained from the Council Office in person or by calling 330-633-0856. 

All fund requests are handled through Summit County 211 Info Line by calling 330-376-6660. Requests are limited to Tallmadge residents. The applicant must provide information about their particular situation to intake counselors at Info Line. Info Line personnel will determine if the request is appropriate for the Fund. The Richardson Trust Fund Committee determines if the Fund can assist. There is a one-time lifetime limit of $200 per resident. 

View the Ward and Precinct Map here

The most comprehensive answers to all your questions are online at www.ritaohio.com. You can also call the around the clock self-service representatives at RITA 1-800-860-7482. To call the local RITA office during work hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) call 440-526-0900. You can also call the City of Tallmadge Finance Office at 330-633-5599 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click here to access the

The City has a 2.25% income tax rate.

You must file and pay 2021 Federal, State, and RITA City income taxes by April 18, 2022.

RITA City Income Tax Estimated Taxes are due:

                                       1st Quarter by April 18.

                                       2nd Quarter by June 15.

                                       3rd Quarter by September 15.  

                                       4th Quarter by December 15.  

City of Tallmadge water and sewer bills can be paid via the Online Payment Portal or by phone at 1-855-329-0850. If you have questions on your utility bill or concerns regarding your consumption, please call the Tallmadge Utilities Department at 330-633-0851.

In July of 2021, the City of Tallmadge received a bond rating of Aa2 by Moody’s Investor Service. The high rating reflects the city’s moderately sized tax base situated between Akron and Cleveland, solid financial operations supported by sound reserves, strong financial policies and low debt burden with future manageable levels of expected debt.

• A “Recreational Fire” is the only type of outdoor fire permitted within the City without prior permitting. A recreational fire is defined by the Ohio Fire Code as an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill, or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.
• Recreational fires shall utilize clean, seasoned, and split firewood for fuel. No trash, yard waste, brush, leaves, or other rubbish may be burned.
• Recreational fires may be banned, at the State Fire Marshal’s discretion, at any time when determined the atmospheric or drought or other environmental conditions necessitate such a ban.
• A recreational fire shall be a minimum of 50 feet from any structure.
• Portable outdoor fireplaces are permitted and shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure.
• Fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is fully extinguished. Sufficient water shall be readily available at the fireside to fully extinguish the fire.
• Where any outdoor fire creates or adds to a hazardous situation or a required permit has not been obtained, a City Safety Official is authorized to order the extinguishment of the fire.
• City of Tallmadge Codified Ordinance 1511.05 may be referenced for further details on outdoor fires within City limits and 1511.99 for the penalty of violations.

Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, this service is unavailable at this time.

Tallmadge Fire Department does not accept any household waste. Residents can contact Summit Reworks at 330-374-0383.

A zoning certificate is typically required for:

• New Buildings
• Accessory uses (i.e., fence, deck, shed, etc.)
• Any alterations of the footprint of a structure (i.e., additions) 
• Demolition
• Use & Compliance  
• Signage

If you have questions regarding the process to obtain a zoning certificate, please call the Planning and Zoning Department at 330-633-0090 or contact them by

Accessory structures, whether a shed, detached garage or similar, are regulated in size by the accumulative measurement of all accessory structures on your lot. The size is limited, depending on your lot size and house size. For lot sizes larger than or equal to 1.0 acre, the maximum lot coverage of all accessory structures is 2,500 square feet. For lot sizes smaller than 1.0 acre, the maximum lot coverage of all accessory structures shall not exceed 50 percent of the total area of the side and rear yards, provided that, in residential districts, the total floor area does not exceed a maximum of 2,500 square feet. In addition, accessory uses and structures shall not exceed 60 percent of the gross floor area (GFA) of the principal use.

Any accessory structure not exceeding 200 square feet requires (only) a zoning certificate. To obtain proper approval, you will need to submit a Zoning Certificate Application with necessary documents.

Small accessory structures such as doghouses, benches, garden decorations, barbeque equipment, etc. are exempt from these regulations provided they do not have a footprint that exceeds 50 square feet.

In general it takes 5-14 working days for applications to be reviewed and approved at a staff level. A more detailed review or the submittal of an incomplete application may can extend the review time necessary.

Portable or temporary pools with a maximum width of 12 feet and which is less than 100 square feet in area shall only be permitted in the residential zoning districts and shall comply with all other requirements for private swimming pools in Section 1104.08 U of the Zoning Code.

A Zoning Certificate is required for any pool with a depth of 24" or above.

These Zoning Certificates are only required one time as long as the pool and the fence go in the same location every year and all regulations are followed.

All pools, no matter the size, must abide by the setbacks of the property.

These requirements may appear to be extreme when installing a temporary pool, but HUNDREDS of needless deaths occur each year from swimming pool accidents.

The property owner is responsible for knowing the locations of their property lines.

If you cannot locate your property pins, you will need to hire a licensed surveyor to locate your pins which delineate property boundaries.

The city does not offer this service.

The zoning map of the city can be used to locate the property and in most cases you can determine the zoning directly from the map. If, however, you are unable to determine the zoning you can call the Planning and Zoning Department at 330-633-0090 with the address and we will assist you.

For more information, review the city of Tallmadge

First, a Certificate of Zoning Compliance for the proposed use must be approved prior to conducting business on the premises.

Next, a Building Permit for Occupancy must also be approved. Contact Summit County Department of Building Standards. 

Refer to the New Business/Tenant Use & Compliance Packet for a step-by-step guide to the process.

Yes, even if your new sign will be built with the same material and dimensions.

Ground mounted solar systems require a zoning permit and must comply with the accessory structure setbacks applicable to the zoning district. For roof installations – flush mounted systems (e.g. panels mounted on a pitched roof) do not require a zoning permit however, a building permit may be required. Contact Summit County Department of Building Standards for more information.

Yes. You may contact us anonymously but your zoning complaint will not be regarded as founded in nature unless it is verified by the Code Enforcement Official.  We will accept your anonymous report and it will be reviewed. A file will only be opened if the complaint is independently confirmed by the Code Enforcement Official.

No. This is not a zoning issue. Boundary disputes are personal legal matters and are not within the jurisdiction of the municipality (Note: Unless a municipal boundary is the subject of the problem). You should consult an attorney or your title company to assist you.

No. This is not a zoning issue. You should consult an attorney as this is a private legal dispute and the municipality has no control or jurisdiction.

If you feel one of our employees has provided a level of service “above and beyond the call of duty”, please let us know by: - Calling the Chief of Police's Office at 330-633-4066 - Sending a letter to: Chief Douglas Bohon Tallmadge Police Department 53 Northeast Avenue Tallmadge, Ohio 44278

The Police Department can not tell you when your utilities will be restored. We encourage you to contact your providers to inquire about restoration of service times, and have provided some contact information to assist you.

Electric: Ohio Edison 888-544-4877

Natural Gas: Dominion East Ohio Gas 800-362-7557

In August 2008, the Tallmadge Communications Center was moved to the city of Stow.

Stow telecommunicators answer both 911 and non-emergency 330-633-2181 calls.

The City of Tallmadge has partnered with Dynegy (formerly Energy Harbor) for electric aggregation.

The contract rate with Dynegy is 8.63 cents/kWh from May 2025 (June 2025 billing) through May 2026 (June 2026 billing).

There is no early termination fee and you may enroll at any time.

If you have any questions or would like to opt in, please call Dynegy (formerly Energy Harbor) at 888-682-2170.

Ohio Edison manages all account information. To ensure you receive future notices, please keep your mailing address up to date by calling 800-633-4766.

The City of Tallmadge has partnered with Eastern Power & Gas for gas aggregation.

Beginning in May 2025, residents and small businesses in the Tallmadge Natural Gas Aggregation Program with Eastern Power and Gas transitioned to a variable rate that is $0.05 per Mcf lower than the monthly Standard Choice Offer rate. This rate will remain in effect through March 2026. The current SCO rate can be found at Energy Choice Ohio.

There is no early termination fee and you may enroll at any time. 

If you have any questions or would like to opt in, please call Eastern Power & Gas at 877-799-3637.

As of July 1, 2025, Rumpke provides waste & recycling services for the City of Tallmadge. Visit rumpke.com for more information.

Contact Rumpke at 1-800-828-8171 to arrange for the service that meets your needs or to request a trash or recycle can.

Rumpke picks up trash and recyclables Monday - Thursday.

Please visit tallmadgeoh.gov/sanitation and enter your address on the interactive map for your pick-up day.

The City of Tallmadge does not accept brush, tree limbs, or other debris. Residents may be able to utilize Rumpke for yard waste collection; however, it is recommended to contact Rumpke directly to learn about their specific services and guidelines.

This could be due to overgrowth, silt build up, plugged or collapsed culvert pipes. Please contact the Street Department at 330-633-5130 or Submit a Request through the City of Tallmadge Services portal.

You are required to obtain a $50 permit and provide a $500 bond. Those working in the right-of-way must be registered as a Contractor with the City of Tallmadge.

For your convenience, use the City of Tallmadge Permitting and Licensing portal to submit your application.

The approach must be between 20 and 30 feet wide. For residential approaches, asphalt must be 3 inches thick, and concrete must be 6 inches thick within the right of way. For commercial approaches, asphalt must be 5 inches thick, and concrete must be 7 inches thick within the right of way. Please review the full specifications here.

As outlined in the permitting process, a pre-pour inspection and final inspection are required for your bond to be released. Pre-pour inspections must be scheduled at least 12 hours before pouring. You may schedule your inspections via the permitting portal or call the Street Department at 330-633-5130.

Enclosing your ditch is only possible with approval by the City. Contact the Street Department at 330-633-5130 for this request. If approved, documentation will outline the process. As the homeowner, you are responsible for installing the enclosure, purchasing all materials, and landscaping.

You are required to obtain a $50 permit and provide a $500 bond. Those working in the right-of-way must be registered as a Contractor with the City of Tallmadge.

For your convenience, use the City of Tallmadge Permitting and Licensing portal to submit your application.

As outlined in the permitting process, a pre-inspection and final inspection are required for your bond to be released. You may schedule your inspections via the permitting portal or call the Street Department at 330-633-5130.

Report any storm water issues to the Street Department. You may contact the Street Department at 330-633-5130 or Submit a Request via the City of Tallmadge Services portal.

You are required to obtain a $50 permit and provide a $500 bond. Those working in the right-of-way must be registered as a Contractor with the City of Tallmadge.

For your convenience, use the City of Tallmadge Permitting and Licensing portal to submit your application.

As outlined in the permitting process, an inspection is required prior to beginning work and prior to backfilling for your bond to be released. You may schedule your inspections via the permitting portal or call the Street Department at 330-633-5130.

The City of Tallmadge is not responsible for streetlights.

If you spot a streetlight that is out, please contact Ohio Edison at 800-633-4766 or report an issue on their website. Be prepared to provide the address and/or the location of the pole; having the pole number will be helpful. Additionally, indicate whether the light is completely out or only working intermittently.

If you find a traffic signal not working properly, or a bulb is burned out, please notify the Street Department. Gather as much information as possible such as the address of the light, the direction and the issue. You may contact the Street Department at 330-633-5130 or Submit a Request through the City of Tallmadge Services portal.

Clean up following a major storm could take 12 to 16 hours to complete after the storm ends. The main roads are always plowed first, then the secondary roads. Once those are completed, the side roads are plowed. Clean up could go on for several days after the storm. Despite the high level of service provided, no guarantee can be given that the roads will be completely clear of snow and ice.

Plows must make four to six passes on a street to clear it curb to curb. It is best for residents to wait, if possible, until we have finished plowing before shoveling out your driveway approach. We cannot prevent snow from being deposited in driveway approaches.

The Street Department only salts hills and intersections on residential roads; we are limited to our annual salt deliveries so we must limit the amount of salt we use.

Yard damage from severe storms is unavoidable. If your devil strip (also known as the tree lawn) gets damaged, please call the Street Department at 330-633-5130 to report it.

We will arrange for an inspection of the damage and take care of the required repairs. Please note that these repairs might not be completed until spring.

Mailboxes are sometimes damaged or knocked down during snow removal. This is inevitable due to the force and the amount of the snow.

If your mailbox is damaged by a city plow truck, call the Street Department at 330-633-5130 or Submit a Request through the City of Tallmadge Services portal to report it. We will send someone out to inspect the damage and either repair or replace your mailbox with a new or lightly used mailbox. We use mailboxes from our inventory. Color and size may vary. This repair may take a week or two depending on the weather and manpower.

The City of Tallmadge does not offer any locations for brush drop-off.

For removal of dead animals in the roadway, contact the Street Department at 330-633-5130 or Submit a Request through the City of Tallmadge Services portal. We will schedule the removal the next business day.

Removal of dead animals on private property is the owner's responsibility. Please contact an animal control company for assistance in removing the dead animal. 

All water utility payments are to be taken to the Payment Center at the Tallmadge City Hall located at: 46 North Avenue (lower level) Tallmadge OH 44278

There is a drop box located outside of the City Hall entrance drive to drop off after-hour payments.

Additionally, water utility bills can be paid online with our Utility Connect service. To learn more about payment options, visit the

To find the Summit County or Portage County Polling Location Lookup websites please view the

Applications can be picked up at: - Tallmadge City Hall (Human Resources), Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Tallmadge Police Department, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - Tallmadge Recreation Center - During the Recreation Center's business hours (which vary by season)

Online access is also available to view or download the 

A zoning certificate is typically required for:

• New Buildings
• Accessory uses (i.e., fence, deck, shed, etc.)
• Any alterations of the footprint of a structure (i.e., additions) 
• Demolition
• Use & Compliance  
• Signage

If you have questions regarding the process to obtain a zoning certificate, please call the Planning and Zoning Department at 330-633-0090 or contact them by

All residents and small businesses in the Tallmadge Natural Gas Aggregation Program supplied by Constellation Energy have the first five months, beginning in December 2021, at a variable rate at the Dominion Standard Service Offer minus $.08/McF. After that, the rate will be fixed at $3.73 Mcf through October 2024.

A new fixed rate of 4.96 cents per KWh went into effect on June 1, 2021 through May 2025.

To join the aggregation program, please call Energy Harbor (formerly known as First Energy Solutions) at 866-636-3749.

• Most golf carts are classified as under-speed vehicles (a three- or four-wheeled vehicle with an attainable speed on a paved level surface of not more than twenty miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds) and these are not permitted on the roadway according to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC 4511.214(A)(2)(a)).
• Some golf carts may fall into the category of a low-speed vehicle (a three- or four-wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of more than twenty miles per hour but not more than twenty-five miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds).  These may be driven on any street with an established speed limit of 35 mph or less (ORC 4511.214(A)(1)).

• Obtain Proof of Financial Responsibility in amounts equal to the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 4509.01(K)
• Obtain a title through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
• Get your golf cart inspected by a police officer. You can download and print the Ohio BMV inspection form here.
• Take your inspection form to the Ohio BMV to register your vehicle and get license plates.

You can call the Tallmadge Police Department at 330-633-2181 to have an officer come and inspect your golf cart.  Inspections for residents and businesses from the City of Tallmadge can be done any day of the week from 8am-4pm.  These are subject to officer availability.

• The following equipment must be present and in good working order (OAC 4501-30-02):
  • Adequate brakes and braking system.
  • Equipped with properly working brake lights, head lights, tail lights, and warning devices, also known as turn signals.
  • A properly working steering mechanism.
  • A windshield to prohibit injury from any debris from the roadway.
  •  A rear view mirror to reflect the operator a view of the public street or highway to the rear.
  • Appropriate tires that are free of major bumps, bulges, breaks, or any condition that would be cause for unsafe conditions.

No, all drivers must have a valid driver’s license to operate a golf cart on the roadway regardless of how far they travel.  Anyone operating a golf cart without a valid driver’s license could receive a citation and the golf cart could be towed (ORC 4510.12).

• No, open containers of alcohol are prohibited in golf carts on any street or highway or public or private property open to the public for vehicular travel or parking (ORC 4301.62).
• Drivers can also be arrested if there is probable cause to believe they are operating the golf cart under the influence of alcohol or drugs just like a motor vehicle (ORC 4511.19).

All laws that govern motor vehicles apply to golf carts.

Yes, all golf cart occupants have to be in a seat and wear a seat belt (ORC 4513.263).

Yes, all the child safety and booster seat laws outlined in Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.81 apply to golf carts and motor vehicles.

• A child safety seat is required for any occupant under the age of 4 or under 40 lbs.
• A child booster seat is required for any occupant under 8 years old and less than 4 feet 9 inches tall and who is not otherwise required to be in a safety seat.

Yes, you can operate a golf cart on private property with the property owner's consent.  The golf cart does not have to be titled or registered with the BMV if it remains on private property.  However, a person who drives a golf cart on another person’s property without consent could be charged with criminal trespassing (ORC 2911.21).