Cleveland Heights, Ohio Development News
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Cleveland Heights Council Committee of the Whole July 13, 2026
Published: Jul 13, 2026
Cleveland Heights Advances Landmark Designation Ordinance, Refining Owner Consent and Appeals Process
The council reviewed proposed revisions to the landmark designation ordinance. Key changes include removing the proximity concept, restoring and clarifying the historic district designation, and balancing owner consent requirements with the city's ability to designate significant properties. A super-majority approval process (two-thirds) by both the Landmark Commission and City Council is proposed for designations without owner consent. The appeal process for Landmark Commission decisions will be to the Board of Zoning Appeals within 30 days. Revisions were also discussed regarding residency requirements for commission members and the process for removing landmark status. The council also discussed legislative process improvements and ethical guidelines.
Cleveland Heights Advances Short-Term Rental Regulations and Housing Needs Assessment; Zoning Code Update Underway
The council discussed proposed legislation for short-term rentals (STRs), aiming for a balanced approach that provides clear guidelines for operators and protections for neighbors. Key provisions include a registration process, clear enforcement for nuisance issues, penalties for violations, and a 3% transient occupancy tax. Discussions also covered neighbor notification requirements, the role of Airbnb in tax collection, and specifics regarding operator registration (owner vs. operator) and renewal processes. The legislation prohibits STRs in accessory dwelling units and carriage houses. Further refinements were discussed regarding noise ordinances, occupancy limits, parking requirements, and the appeals process for STR decisions. Additionally, a broader housing needs assessment is underway, examining market trends, demographics, inventory, and identifying gaps, including a surprising need for market-rate housing. The city is also working on updating its zoning code, with a 'hot list' of topics including conditional use permits, meeting processes, non-conforming uses, supportive housing, home occupations, planned development districts, subdivision regulations, auto uses, parking and traffic, and sign ordinances.
Parks and Recreation Department Updates on Splash Pad, Skate Park, and Other Park Improvements
The Parks and Recreation Department provided an update on various park projects. The Denison Park splash pad is nearing completion, with electrical and plumbing finalized and awaiting a permit from Cleveland Water. The timeline has been delayed but is expected to be operational soon. The department is also managing the Kane Park sledding hill with a resurfacing project to improve safety, resurfacing tennis courts, and advancing the skate park project with a targeted completion by November. Additionally, playground replacements are planned for Kane Park and Cumberland Park, with funding applications underway. The department is also addressing ongoing maintenance and upgrades across various parks, including benches, picnic tables, and turf field issues, and is working with community partners like the Noble Neighbors.
Cleveland Heights Considers Deer Management Plan with Culling Recommendations
The city is moving forward with a deer management plan, which involves calling a portion of the deer population. The plan, developed with input from ODNR and metro parks, recommends calling up to 200 deer in the first winter, 100 the second, and 75 the third. This is intended to manage the unnaturally high growth rate of urban deer populations, which can increase by 30% annually. The meat from the called deer will be processed and sent to food pantries and food banks. A public hearing is scheduled for July 28th to discuss the plan further, with presentations from Metro Parks on urban deer populations and ODNR on the management plan. Neighboring cities like South Euclid, Shaker Heights, and Beechwood have implemented similar plans and are collaborating on this regional effort.
Cleveland Heights Building Department Issues Significantly More Permits Than Neighboring Cities
The city's building department volume of permits issued was compared to neighboring municipalities. Cleveland Heights issued over 3,300 permits in 2025 and 3,400 in 2024, significantly more than Shaker Heights (673), Beachwood/South Euclid (1,500-1,600), and Lakewood (below 2,700). This higher volume is attributed to various factors including point-of-sale inspections, internal inspectors addressing code violations, and overall public engagement with permitting processes. The department has implemented efficiencies like online permitting while retaining in-person options. This data is intended to provide context for budget discussions and staffing needs.
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The Cleveland Heights News archive
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Cleveland Heights Board of Zoning Appeals July 15, 2026
Cleveland Heights Council Committee of the Whole July 13, 2026
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