Public health nuisance complaints shall be assessed and abated in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 3707.01. The Board of Health designates the Health Commissioner, and his/her designated representative(s) as the appointed agents to enforce this statute.
Further, the Health Commissioner and his/her representative(s) shall enforce the provisions of the Tuscarawas County Solid Waste Code, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3734, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3718.
Tuscarawas County Health Department is responsible for investigating and abating any public health nuisances in Tuscarawas County outside the city limits of New Philadelphia. We receive many calls from concerned citizens about suspected nuisances which can include sewage, food, solid waste, tires, rodents, animal manure and insects.
On August 21, 2024, the Tuscarawas County Board of Health voted to indefinitely suspend nuisance response services related to complaints originating from concerns with conditions inside a home or dwelling. TCHD nuisance response services will now focus on complaints with the exterior of a home /dwelling such as solid waste accumulation, infestations of insects or vermin, failing septic systems, and unsecured vacant houses or dwellings.
The indefinite suspension of portions of the Tuscarawas County Public Health Code relating to interior conditions of homes/dwellings was made, in part, due to the fact that investigations often led to the displacement of persons and/or animals. Unfortunately, despite earnest attempts by TCHD staff, finding alternative housing and/or appropriate medical or mental health care for persons and companion animals has frequently been unattainable. At times, this is due to individual resistance, however, more often it is due to the limited and/or lack of capacity, amongst Tuscarawas County’s already strained local economic, social, and community resources. Even if homes and/or dwellings are not condemned, the resources required to bring many of the homes into compliance with the Public Health Code were unavailable.
Although TCHD is no longer investigating nuisance complaints relating to anything inside a home/dwelling, TCHD environmental health specialists are committed to continuing to provide nuisance response services relating to the following types of concerns:
In order for us to investigate we must receive an official complaint from a citizen. Confidentiality of nuisance complaints cannot be guaranteed and as the complaint form is a public record. Below is a link to the nuisance complaint form. Completed forms may be mailed to or submitted in person at 897 East Iron Avenue Dover, Ohio 44622 or emailed to [email protected]
Further, the Health Commissioner and his/her representative(s) shall enforce the provisions of the Tuscarawas County Solid Waste Code, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3734, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3718.
Tuscarawas County Health Department is responsible for investigating and abating any public health nuisances in Tuscarawas County outside the city limits of New Philadelphia. We receive many calls from concerned citizens about suspected nuisances which can include sewage, food, solid waste, tires, rodents, animal manure and insects.
On August 21, 2024, the Tuscarawas County Board of Health voted to indefinitely suspend nuisance response services related to complaints originating from concerns with conditions inside a home or dwelling. TCHD nuisance response services will now focus on complaints with the exterior of a home /dwelling such as solid waste accumulation, infestations of insects or vermin, failing septic systems, and unsecured vacant houses or dwellings.
The indefinite suspension of portions of the Tuscarawas County Public Health Code relating to interior conditions of homes/dwellings was made, in part, due to the fact that investigations often led to the displacement of persons and/or animals. Unfortunately, despite earnest attempts by TCHD staff, finding alternative housing and/or appropriate medical or mental health care for persons and companion animals has frequently been unattainable. At times, this is due to individual resistance, however, more often it is due to the limited and/or lack of capacity, amongst Tuscarawas County’s already strained local economic, social, and community resources. Even if homes and/or dwellings are not condemned, the resources required to bring many of the homes into compliance with the Public Health Code were unavailable.
Although TCHD is no longer investigating nuisance complaints relating to anything inside a home/dwelling, TCHD environmental health specialists are committed to continuing to provide nuisance response services relating to the following types of concerns:
- Failure to keep waste, refuse, or garbage in an enclosed building or properly contained in a closed insect and rodent-proof container designed or reasonably adapted for such purpose, except for the immediate time preceding pick-up by a licensed solid waste hauler.
- Accumulation of carcasses of animals, birds, or fish by failing to bury or otherwise dispose of a carcass in a sanitary manner within 24 hours after death.
- Accumulation of decayed animal or vegetable matter, animal or human feces, trash, rubbish, garbage, scrap metal, tires, or any other substance in which flies, mosquitoes, or other disease-carrying insects, rodents, or other vermin can harbor. This does not include compost bins or compost sites which as being managed to acceptable standards.
- Causing or allowing improper sewage disposal facilities to be operated, or causing or allowing the effluent from any cesspool, septic tank, drain field, or sewage disposal system to discharge upon the surface of the ground or into any body of water.
In order for us to investigate we must receive an official complaint from a citizen. Confidentiality of nuisance complaints cannot be guaranteed and as the complaint form is a public record. Below is a link to the nuisance complaint form. Completed forms may be mailed to or submitted in person at 897 East Iron Avenue Dover, Ohio 44622 or emailed to [email protected]
Questions? Please contact:
Michael Kopko
REHS Director Environmental Health Services [email protected] (330) 343-5555 ext. 1300 or (330) 343-5550 |