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
- Determine if you want to appeal.
- If you do not appeal, the fine must be paid in 30 days.
- 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
- Go to the Citizen's Access Portal.
- Click the "Building and Housing" Tab.
- Enter your CT number in the "Record Number" field and search.
- Click "Payments" then "Fees."
- Click "Pay Fees." On a smaller screen you may need to scroll to the right to see "Pay Fees."
- Click "Continue Application."
- Select payment type and "Submit Paymen."
- 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.
- Email form and evidence to CivilAppeals@clevelandohio.gov
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.
For more information on the City of Cleveland Ordinances listed on Civil Tickets, see the Civil Ticket Code Reference sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay a Civil Ticket?
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)
How much is the fine for a Civil Ticket?
The fine for a Civil Ticket is $200.
How long do I have to pay?
You have 30 days to pay the ticket. A $50 late fee will be assessed to any tickets not paid in 30 days.
What if I do not pay or appeal in 30 days?
A $50 late fee will be added and you forfeit your right to appeal.
I fixed the issue, do I still have to pay the ticket?
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.
What if I do not address the code infraction?
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.
What if I do not pay the ticket?
The ticket amount of $200 and the $50 late fee will be added to the property tax statement.
How do I file an appeal?
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.
How do I know when my appeal hearing is?
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.
Do I need a lawyer to file an appeal?
No. Civil tickets are not criminal infractions and appeals are not resolved in court.
Do I need to come to City Hall to appeal?
No. Appeals can be emailed or mailed in. Appeal hearings are heard via live video conferences.
Do I need to have an appeal hearing to win an appeal?
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.
How do I figure out why I received a ticket?
The ordinance number and violation reason are included in the middle of the ticket. For more information see the Civil Ticket Code Reference sheet.
Can I receive more than 1 ticket?
Yes, if the infraction is not fixed additional tickets can be issued.
If I received a Violation Notice on my property, can I still get a ticket?
Yes. Violation Notices and Civil Tickets can both be issued depending on the infraction.
What if the address on my ticket is wrong?
File an appeal and provide documentation showing the correct address.