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Fire Department

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1. How do I request a fire inspection?

Fire Inspections are completed by the Fire Prevention Bureau, which is staffed by Lieutenant Jeff Tyler. Please see the Fire Department page for contact information and hours.

2. Who do I call about ambulance billing?

The Kent Fire Department contracts with a third party ambulance billing agency for all of our EMS billing. For questions or concerns regarding your bill please call: Life Force Management at 330.626.5450 or 1.800.770.4767

3. What are the regulations on recreational fires?

 Recreational fires must adhere to our regulations. View the Recreational Fire Regulations PDF and Franklin Township Recreational Fire Regulations PDF.

4. Does EMS offer CPR classes?

Kent EMS does not currently offer CPR classes. See the Kent State University website for scheduled CPR classes.  

5. Where should I put smoke detectors in my home?

It is recommended to place smoke detectors on every level of the home and in all rooms used for sleeping.  

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Footer - FAQs

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1. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

2. How do I contact a City department?

Visit the staff directory to find all department contact information.

3. What positions are currently available?

We have our available jobs posted on this site. Access them by clicking on the following link:

Current Job Listings

4. What do the sirens mean?

The City of Kent has emergency sirens that are set off during emergency situations. Most often, they are set off when bad weather approaches or other hazardous conditions exist.

The sirens are tested twice a month, the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m, and the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The sirens run for three minutes.

When an actual emergency occurs, the sirens will run for nine minutes.

• A Tornado Watch means conditions are right for a tornado to occur.
• A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted.

5. How do I report a power outage?

To report a power outage call the Ohio Edison Automated Outage Reporting Line at 888-544-4877.

To view a map of current outages, visit the Ohio Edison 24/7 Power Center map: http://outages.firstenergycorp.com/oh.html 

6. When is my trash collection day?

Trash collection day varies street to street. Refer to the trash collection schedule by street. 

7. How do I pay my utility bill?

You may pay online through our online payment portal. You can make payments with credit card or e-check without having to pay a convenience fee. 

Additionally, if you would like to pay your water bill through direct debit, an authorization form is found in every issue of the Tree City Bulletin. 

8. How do I register to vote?

Find voter registration instructions along with additional information at the Portage County website. 

9. Where can I park downtown?

See our color coded map for parking options downtown. 

10. Where do I apply for a building permit?

Find residential and commercial building permits in our form center under the Building/Zoning/Site Work tab.

11. How do I contact City Staff?

View our Staff Directory to find contact information including address and phone numbers. 

12. How do I report a concern?

To report a concern, visit our online Citizen Center portal.

13. How do I pay a parking ticket?

Parking tickets may be paid at the Budget and Finance Department located at 930 Overholt Road or online at the citation portal. See detailed information at the Police Department website.

14. Do I need a permit to have a garage sale?

No, you do not need a permit. However, the City does request that you do not hold a garage sale for more than three days in a thirty-day period and that all signs are removed before 8:00pm on the last day of the sale.

15. What home repairs do I NOT need a permit for?

Minor reshingling, replacement of doors and windows of the same size, and vinyl siding.

16. How can I get a new recycle bin?

Information pertaining to bin delivery, pick-up times, and more can be retrieved from the Portage County Solid Waste Management District at 330-678-8808.

17. How do I sign up for recreation programs?

Visit the Kent Parks and Recreation website for information on youth and adult programs. 

18. Why do we need a snow parking ban?

A snow parking ban eliminates obstacles that hinder the ability of City plows to efficiently and completely clear streets of snow. When crews are able to fully plow the streets, traffic and emergency vehicles can move safely and easily throughout the City.

19. Who do I call for building inspections?

All building and zoning inspections, including those for Electrical, Heating and Air Conditioning and Plumbing permits are scheduled through Building Services and are in conjunction with the State of Ohio approval standards.

Contact Construction Clerk Sue Lynch to schedule your inspection and provide information on permitting costs.

20. Do I need a rental license if I am renting space in my home?

Yes. All housing rental units occupied by anyone other than family as defined by the City's Zoning Code must be licensed. The City of Kent Health Department licenses three family structures, rooming houses, and apartment buildings. The Community Development Department licenses rentals that are single family, two family, room rentals within a single or two family, and individually owned condominiums that are being rented. If you are unsure if your situation applies or have any questions, please let us know.

21. What should I do if the parking meter I'm at does not register my payment?

Please keep in mind that the credit card authorization is done via cellular service and may take several seconds to be approved. If your payment is still not registering whether it is coin or credit, the best option is to relocate. You may call the number displayed at the meter to report the issue, however, we are unable to ensure that you will not receive a ticket. Refunds are not available. Should you decide to park at a non-functioning meter and you receive a ticket, you may appeal the ticket through the portal on the Police Department’s website. The Police Department will obtain a meter report to determine if the meter was not functioning at the time you received the ticket and base the appeal decision on this report.

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Health Department

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1. What is the mosquito spray schedule?

View the mosquito spray schedule, Mosquito Spray Quadrant Map, and additional information at our Health Department page. 

2. How do I order a birth certificate?

The City of Kent Health Department currently holds all birth and death records for Portage County from 1909 to present. We also have state wide access to all birth events in the State of Ohio and you obtain a birth certificate from Kent regardless of where in Ohio you were born. Please call us at (330) 678-8109 if you have any questions or visit our website.

3. How do I report animal bites?

Per Ohio Law, animal bite incidents should be reported within 24 hours to a health commissioner of the local health jurisdiction for investigation to assist in protecting the public from possible rabies exposures. All reported animal bites occurring in the City of Kent, Ohio are investigated by the Kent City Health Department. Complete and submit our Animal Bite Report Form (PDF).

4. How do I find adult and travel immunizations?

Refer to the Health Department on our website for information about adult immunizations, TB testing, and travel immunizations. 

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Police Department

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1. What is your address?

We are located at the intersection of S Depeyster Street and Haymaker Parkway, directly across the street from the Kent Fire Department. Parking is off of S Depeyster Street in our own lot. Follow the walkway under the flagpoles to the public entrance, which will be the door to your right.
Kent Police Department
301 S Depeyster Street
Kent, OH 44240

2. What are your hours?

• The Police Department is open 24 hours a day.
• Records are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Evidence may be released by prior arrangement. Please call 330-673-7732 to schedule a date and time.

3. How can I pay a parking ticket?

Pay parking tickets in person, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, at:
Budget and Finance
930 Overholt Road
Kent, OH 44240

After hours, there is a drop box near the entrance of Budget and Finance where payments may be made or tickets may be paid in person at the police department. Make checks payable to "City of Kent."

4. Can I pay for my parking ticket with a credit or debit card?

Yes. See the Paying a Parking Ticket page for more information.

5. How can I get a copy of my accident or case report?

Accident reports may be obtained in person or by mail.

• In-Person: Come to the police department between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m, Monday through Friday.
• Online: Accident reports are available on line - see Accident Reports page.
• By Mail: Mail your request to the police department. Include a note providing the Report Number (CR) or the name of one of the parties involved. Including the date and location of the accident would be helpful. Enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope.

6. Is there a charge for a copy of a report?

There is no charge for copies up to 19 pages. After 19 pages, it is $0.05 per page, including the first 19.

7. Where can I dispose of old drugs?

There is a box in the parking lot of the Police Department where the drugs can be dropped off. It is a large grey box, similar to a postal mail box. It is located next to the dumpster area.

Drugs can be dropped off any time. Please remove the label from the bottle. No needles please.

8. What time is curfew?

Curfew applies to anyone under the age of 18.

• On Sunday through Thursday, curfew hours are from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. of the following day.
• On Friday and Saturday, curfew hours are from 12:01 a.m. until 6 a.m.

9. What do the sirens mean?

The City of Kent has emergency sirens that are set off during emergency situations. Most often, they are set off when bad weather approaches or other hazardous conditions exist. For further guidance, see the following Swift911 information:

• The sirens are tested twice a month, the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m, and the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The sirens run for three minutes.
• When an actual emergency occurs, the sirens will run for nine minutes.
  • A Tornado Watch means conditions are right for a tornado to occur.
  • A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted.

10. What time does the loud noise ordinance start?

Between the hours of 9 p.m. until 8 a.m. of the following day, an officer may issue a citation if the noise can be heard beyond the property line. You may call about loud noise at any time outside this time frame, however you may be required to sign as a witness to the violation. (Kent City Ordinance 509.12)

11. Where can I get a child's car seat inspected?

The Kent Police Department does not inspect child car seats, but there are several nearby agencies that do. That information can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website.

12. What is Swift911™?

Swift911™ is a computerized high speed notification system that uses telephone, email, text or pager to notify you of an emergency situation such as a severe storm, waterline break, evacuation need or some other dangerous condition.

13. Do I need to file for eviction if I have someone in my house staying rent free?

The Kent Police Department does not handle evictions. The Portage County Sheriff's Office does. Please contact the Sheriff's Office at 330-296-5100 for further information.

If an individual is staying on the premises without a written lease and rent free, that individual does not qualify as a tenant under Ohio law and therefore does not need to be given notice or an eviction order to be removed from the premises.

Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law

Under Ohio landlord-tenant law, a tenant is afforded the right to remain on the premises until and unless a lawful eviction order is filed against the tenant pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1923, 5303 and 5321. The right however, may only be claimed if the person seeking its protection qualifies as a tenant. If the person and the homeowner do not have a written lease agreement or an arrangement for the regular payment of rent, such person does not qualify as a tenant and therefore may be removed from the premises by the owner at any time without notice or filing for an eviction order. Police may aid the homeowner in removing the unwanted guest without any civil liability so long as police reasonably believed the person being removed was a house guest, and not a tenant, at the time such removal took place.

Information provided by the City of Kent Law Director.

14. Whom should I contact to report a compliment or complaint about an officer's performance?

Accountability is an important aspect underlying everything we do at the Kent Police Department. In fact, it is the top value listed in our Values Statement. Likewise, it is one of the Department's major goals: "To continuously evaluate and enhance our performance to better serve the community." 

Feedback, both positive and negative, from the community is a critical piece in achieving that goal. It is direct information about what our community members think we're doing well, and where we need to improve. In either case, the best way to go about it is to call the 24/7 non-emergency phone number 330-673-7732, and ask to speak to the officer's shift supervisor. While speaking directly with a supervisor is the most effective route, for your convenience feedback can also be sent via email, where it will then be directed to the appropriate supervisor. When emailing feedback, please include as much detail as possible, and indicate whether or not you'd like to be contacted by the officer's supervisor.

15. What do I need to do if my vehicle is towed?

Pick up a Towed Vehicle Release Form from the Police Station.  A towed vehicle will only be released to the registered owner. A release form will not be given to an intoxicated person. While the release form may be picked up at any time, the tow companies charge extra to release a vehicle after regular business hours. 

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Swift911™

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1. What is Swift 911™?

Swift 911™ is a computerized telephone calling system that can be used to notify you of an emergency situation such as a severe storm, water line break, evacuation need or some other dangerous condition.

2. How does Swift 911™ work?

Each resident and business within the Kent or Franklin Township (or a more narrowly defined area) can receive a message via telephone, cell phone, text, email or TDD/TTY phone with an emergency alert. The size of area covered will depend on the nature of the emergency.

3. Who activates the system?

Normally, the City of Kent Emergency Dispatch Center can activate or send an alert, or other trained city staff if the need is appropriate to their responsibilities.

4. I have an unlisted phone number. Will I be listed in the data base?

To be sure you are listed, sign up for Swift 911 alerts by providing your contact information by mail or by visiting our Swift911™ page and registering online.

5. How can I get a text message?

See our Swift911™ page and register online. You may also supply information by mailing it to us.

6. I'd rather not be listed - how can I take my name off of the system?

Simply provide your information by navigating to our Swift911™ page.

Click on the Swift 911 link at the bottom right and select the "Remove" button. You may also put your request in writing to:
City Manager's Office
301 S Depeyster Street
Kent, OH 44240

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Zoning and Building

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1. Do I need a building permit for installing a fence?

You will need a zoning permit but not a building permit.  You will need to complete a Zoning Permit Application and provide details of the fence (height, type, and material) as well as a drawing of the fence location. Heather Heckman (heckmanh@kent-ohio.org), Development Planner for the Community Development Department will review your submission for compliance and issue the permit once all requirements have been met.

2. What is the maximum allowable height of a fence?

All fences located in front of the main structure (front yard) can be a maximum of four feet. All fences located behind the front of the main structure can be a maximum of six feet. Houses that are located on corner lots have two front yards and must maintain the four foot maximum on both sides of the house facing a street. Please see KCO 1106.12 for more information and examples.

3. How far from my property line do I need to install my fence?

You will need to ensure that your fence is installed on your property. If you are unsure of the property lines, it is recommended that you obtain a survey. While there isn’t any code regulations stating how far fences are installed from your property line, we remind everyone that both you and your neighbors own the property line and ask that you be respectful of your neighbors. 

4. Can the City help resolve property line disputes?

No. The City cannot resolve property lines disputes and recommends seeking legal advice if you cannot work things out with your neighbor. 

5. Can I cut branches from a neighbor's tree that overhang onto my property?

You will need to seek legal advice on this matter as the City cannot resolve issues pertaining to property lines. 

6. Do I need a permit to install a pre-constructed shed in my yard? (Single Family Residential)

For sheds that are 200 square feet or less, you only need a zoning permit. Sheds that are greater than 200 square feet require both a zoning and a building permit. For the zoning permit, you will need to complete a zoning permit application and provide a drawing of the location of the proposed shed noting the distances of the shed to the property lines and also the distance to the main structure. Sheds cannot be located in the front yard. Sheds must be a minimum of 15 feet from the main structure and must maintain the side and rear yard setback requirements for your zoning district. Please contact our Zoning Department for further details. If you also need a building permit, you will need to complete a Residential Building Permit Application and provide detailed construction drawings of the proposed structure. Applications for permits will need to be reviewed by the Community Development Staff for compliance.

7. Do I need a bond to register as a contractor?

No. Contractor registration bonds are not required, however, bonds are required for projects that affect the City's right-of-ways, including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, tree lawn areas, and curbs. 

8. Who needs to register as a contractor?

Contractors that are responsible for obtaining permits are required to register. This includes such trades as general contractors, plumbers, electricians, mechanical contractors, state licensed contractors, and others. Sub-contractors who are working under another contractor’s permit such as drywall installers, painters, finish carpenters, etc. are not. If you are unsure, please call. We will be happy to assist you.