Cleveland City Council has approved new legislation aimed at making it easier for the city to address nuisance properties that disrupt neighborhoods with illegal activity such as loud parties, drug use, gunfire, and reckless driving.
The updated ordinance lowers the threshold for city officials to declare a home or business a public nuisance and gives the city’s safety director expanded authority to enforce corrective measures. Previously, officials needed a pattern of police citations or arrests before designating a property as a nuisance. Now, testimony from witnesses—such as neighbors reporting repeated disturbances—can be enough to trigger an investigation.
Under the revised law, if illegal activity is reported at a property three times within a year, the property owner can be ordered to create a nuisance abatement plan. Failure to comply could result in daily fines starting at $100. Continued violations after an abatement plan is filed would lead to escalating penalties ranging from $250 to $1,000.
“This has been long overdue,” said Councilman Michael Polensek, chair of the Safety Committee. He pointed to ongoing issues in his ward, including late-night disturbances and criminal behavior at so-called “party houses,” which he said previously went unchecked due to loopholes in the old law. “The neighbors have been living through hell.”
The updated law broadens the definition of who can cause a property to be considered a nuisance. It now includes not just owners or tenants, but also anyone associated with the location—such as bar patrons, loiterers, or trespassers.
Councilmember Richard Starr introduced an amendment ensuring that nuisance violations count against a property for a full 12-month period, instead of resetting after six months.
Council members including Kevin Conwell and Kevin Hairston expressed concern about residents’ fears of retaliation for reporting illegal activity. Conwell said many constituents prefer to contact their council representatives rather than calling police directly. In response, Assistant Safety Director Jason Shachner assured council members that efforts will be made to protect witness identities and that property owners can appeal nuisance designations through the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
City officials stressed that all nuisance reports should begin with a call to 911 or the police non-emergency line at 216-621-1234 to ensure proper documentation and follow-up.
Councilmember Hairston praised the measure as a much-needed update. “This ordinance was outdated and ineffective. We’re finally giving our neighborhoods the tools they need to restore peace and order.”