Civil Tickets

Civil Tickets

Civil tickets are issued when a property is out of compliance with a city code or ordinance.

What To Do After Receiving a Civil Ticket

  1. Determine if you want to appeal.
  2. If you do not appeal, the fine must be paid in 30 days.
  3. In addition to paying the fine, you must fix the issue that is violating a City Ordinance.

How to Pay a Civil Ticket

Civil Tickets can be paid online or in person at City Hall.

1. Paying Online

Building and Housing Tab

 

  • Enter your CT number in the "Record Number" field and search.
Enter CT Number

 

  • Click "Payments" then "Fees."
Payment and Fees

 

  • Click "Pay Fees." On a smaller screen you may need to scroll to the right to see "Pay Fees."
Pay Fees

 

  • Click "Continue Application."
Continue Application

 

  • Select payment type and "Submit Paymen."
Payment Options

 

  • Enter your payment information and complete payment.

PDF version of How to Pay a Civil Ticket Online.

2. Paying in City Hall

  • Go to Room 505 in City Hall: 601 Lakeside Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114.
  • Provide your ticket number or property address.
  • Pay with check, cash, or credit card.

How to Appeal a Civil Ticket

Appeals must be filed within 30 days of Civil Ticket issuance, otherwise the right to appeal is forfeited.

1. Fill out the Civil Ticket Appeal Form.

2. Select an appeal option:

Decide appeal based on evidence submitted with the form.You will be sent the decision after the appeal is filed and reviewed.
Request a Virtual Hearing.You will be emailed a date, time, and a link to join the virtual hearing room.
Request an In-Person Hearing.Availability limited. You will be notified by mail of the date and time of hearing.

Failure to appear at a hearing will result in a decision based on submitted evidence.

3. Sign appeal form and gather evidence.

4. Submit appeal form and evidence.

      OR

  • Mail form and evidence to:

City of Cleveland Building and Housing Department / Civil Appeals
601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 510
Cleveland, OH 44114

PDF version of How to Appeal a Civil Ticket.

Why Did I Receive a Civil Ticket?

The Civil Ticket includes the City of Cleveland Ordinance number that was violated in the middle section.  The name and a brief description are also included.   

sample notice

 

For more information on the City of Cleveland Ordinances listed on Civil Tickets, see the Civil Ticket Code Reference sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tickets can be paid online through the Citizens Access Portal or in person at City Hall - 601 Lakeside Ave, Room 505. Follow these steps to Pay a Civil Ticket Online. You will need your Civil Ticket number, located at the bottom of your ticket (Example: CT25001234)

The fine for a Civil Ticket is $200.

You have 30 days to pay the ticket. A $50 late fee will be assessed to any tickets not paid in 30 days.

A $50 late fee will be added and you forfeit your right to appeal.

Yes. The ticket must be paid since there was a code infraction at the time the ticket was issued.  If you do not believe there was a code infraction, file an appeal.

Regardless of if you pay the ticket or not, if the code infraction is not addressed, additional tickets will be issued. You will also be subject to civil or criminal prosecution.

The ticket amount of $200 and the $50 late fee will be added to the property tax statement.

To file an appeal, fill out the Civil Ticket Appeal Form.

Email the filled out appeal form to: CivilAppeals@clevelandohio.gov

Or

Mail the filled out appeal form to: City of Cleveland Building and Housing Department/Civil Appeals, 601 Lakeside Avenue E, Room 510, Cleveland, Ohio 44114

For more information, see the How to Appeal a Civil Ticket help document.

After submitting an appeal form, you will receive an email with the date and time of your hearing. A link to the virtual hearing room will be included.

No. Civil tickets are not criminal infractions and appeals are not resolved in court.

No. Appeals can be emailed or mailed in. Appeal hearings are heard via live video conferences.

No. You can choose for the appeal to be considered using documents you provide instead of a live online hearing. This selection is made on the Civil Ticket Appeal form.

The ordinance number and violation reason are included in the middle of the ticket. For more information see the Civil Ticket Code Reference sheet.

Yes, if the infraction is not fixed additional tickets can be issued.

Yes. Violation Notices and Civil Tickets can both be issued depending on the infraction.

File an appeal and provide documentation showing the correct address.