Frequently Asked Questions
Please note: In the answers that follow, we often provide references to specific city ordinances. The titles for City of Sylvania ordinances begin with SMC (for example, SMC 1519, the ordinance restricting fireworks in the city), which stands for Sylvania Municipal Code.
Click on any topic below to go directly to that section.
Police Services
General
Animals/Pets
Bicycles & Skateboards
Firearms & Concealed Carry
Loud Noise/Music
Parking
Vehicles/Traffic
Police Services
Q. When is the police division open?
A. The Sylvania Police Division is open and staffed 24 hours of every day of the year.
Q. I am going on vacation and am concerned about my house and property. Will the police check on my property while I’m gone?
A. If you call our dispatch center (419-885-8902), they will take your information. The road patrol and our volunteers on patrol receive this information daily. They will take a walk around your property to make sure everything is okay. For more information, visit House Checks and Crime Prevention.
Q. If I have a problem or notice something “wrong,” should I wait until normal business hours to call the police?
A. No, we are staffed 24 hours a day. If you have a problem or question, or you notice something not right in your neighborhood, the Sylvania police encourage our residents to call. In fact, if you would like extra patrol due to certain circumstances or traffic violations, our dispatch center will relay those requests to our road patrol unit.
Q. If I lock my keys in my vehicle, will the Sylvania police help me?
A. Yes, the Sylvania police will come and attempt to unlock your vehicle. Some vehicles cannot be accessed with the tools we have. In that case, the officer may advise you to contact a locksmith for further assistance.
Q. Can I pay my traffic fine or bond at the Sylvania Police Division offices?
A. Yes, but only when the court is closed for business. Any payouts on traffic citation fines must be made prior to the court date. For both bonds and payouts on traffic citations, the amounts must be paid in cash. The Sylvania police do not take checks or credit cards; those types of payments must be made during normal court hours at the Sylvania Municipal Court at 6700 Monroe St. More information is available online at the city Courts website.
Q. I have to be fingerprinted for my job or college. Can I be fingerprinted at the police division?
A. The Sylvania police will fingerprint City of Sylvania residents or any employee of businesses in the city of Sylvania only. For FBI or BCI prints, which are electronic, the charge is $40 each. For rolled prints, there is a $61 charge. As there is not an officer assigned to this duty, please be patient as there may be a short wait.
For more information, visit Fingerprinting.
General
Q. Does the City of Sylvania have a curfew for juveniles?
A. No, currently there is no curfew for juveniles in the City of Sylvania.
Q. Are there restrictions on when I can be in a city park?
A. Yes. All city parks are open only from sunrise to sunset.
Q. Is it legal for someone to get water from a fire hydrant?
A. Contractors, lawn services, etc., may obtain water from a City of Sylvania hydrant with the permission of the City of Sylvania Water Section. They must obtain a permit from the water section and pay a fee for the water they take. However, the only hydrant available for this purpose is located at the City of Sylvania Facilities Maintenance Department, 6730 Monroe St. Anyone who has questions is encouraged to contact the City of Sylvania Section of Water at 419-885-8950.
Q. Our neighborhood is planning a block party. Is a permit required for this?
A. A permit is required for block parties and parades that involve public property/public streets. The application will explain any legal requirements and list any special items you may need (barricades, etc.). You can get a permit application at the Sylvania Police Division or visit Forms for a printable application.
Q. I am going to be soliciting or canvassing in the City of Sylvania. Do I need a permit?
A. Yes. SMC 735.03 titled “Canvassers and Solicitors” explains the regulations for this. You can pick up a permit form at the police department, or find a printable form in Forms.
Q. Can I have a warming or cooking fire in my yard?
A. Yes, but the fire has to be no larger than two feet high by three feet wide. The wood has to be clean and seasoned. Visit www.sylvaniatwpfire.com for further regulations on open burning.
Q. Can I shoot fireworks in the city?
A. No. The only type of fireworks that are allowed are sparklers and party snaps (SMC 1519).
Q. What are the open container laws for alcoholic beverages?
A. You cannot have an open container in a state liquor store or in any public place (unless it is in compliance with a permit issued by the Division of Liquor Control), or in or on a motor vehicle on any street, highway or private property open to the public for purposes of vehicle transport or parking. (SMC 529.07)
Q. How can I become a police officer in the City of Sylvania?
A. The City of Sylvania hires police officers through civil service examinations. For more information, visit the Employment page or contact the Sylvania Civil Service Commission at 419-885-8965.
Animals/Pets
Q. I have dogs and cats as pets. Are there any special laws pertaining to them in the City of Sylvania?
A. Yes, the City of Sylvania has several animal/pet laws. (SMC Chapter 505)
Limited number of dogs per residence: A kennel is defined by as any lot or premises on which four or more dogs older than four months old are kept. (SMC 1101.27)
Leash law: No person shall permit their dog to run at large on any public place or on the premise of another. (SMC 505.01)
Defecation removal: No person being the owner or in charge of any animal shall permit any animal to defecate upon any public land, street or right-of-way, or upon the land of any private property owner in the city. The owner or person in charge of any animal shall immediately, before removing the animal from the area of the defecation, clean the area, remove the feces and dispose of it in a proper receptacle. (SMC 505.11)
Cat regulations: Whenever a cat is outside the owner’s residence, it is required to have an identification tag and collar. The tag should clearly be marked with the owner’s name, address and phone number. (SMC 505.031)
Bicycles & Skateboards
Q. Can I ride my bicycle on the sidewalks in the city?
A. Children under the age of 12 may ride their bicycle on any city sidewalk. Any bicyclist may ride on a designated bike route. (SMC 373.10)
Q. What are designated bike routes?
A. The sidewalks along Monroe Street and Alexis Road from Erie Street to the easternmost municipal limits are designated bicycle routes. Any bicyclist may ride on those sidewalks. Bicyclists using the city sidewalks must yield to pedestrians on those sidewalks. (SMC 373.11)
Q. Are there restrictions on riding skateboards in the City of Sylvania?
A. Many of our businesses in the city have posted “No Skateboarding” signs. Any person caught skateboarding on those properties can be arrested and charged with criminal trespassing. SMC 311.03 prohibits the riding of skateboards in the public street except to cross a street within a crosswalk or on designated “play streets”.
Firearms & Concealed Carry
Q. I’m a Sylvania resident. How do I obtain a handgun permit?
A. Residents of the City of Sylvania do not need to obtain a permit to own or purchase a handgun. However, a permit is required for a resident to carry a concealed weapon in public. For more information on how to obtain a concealed carry permit, contact your county sheriff’s office. Residents of Lucas County can visit the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office website for information on concealed carry permits.
Q. What are the laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm?
A. Ohio currently allows citizens to obtain a concealed carry license. Carrying a concealed handgun is a privilege in Ohio, and with this privilege comes a responsibility to be aware not only of the commonsense rules of safe firearm handling, but the laws that affect how, when and where you can carry your firearm, and how to properly use the handgun to defend yourself or another person.
To learn how to obtain a concealed carry license in Ohio, please visit the Ohio Attorney General website Conceal Carry page for additional information.
Loud Noises/Music
Q. What are the laws regarding loud noises in the city?
A. SMC 509.08, Unnecessary Noises, covers many of these situations. For example, you need a permit from the mayor’s office to use loud amplification systems on vehicles, outdoors or so that the noise leaves the building, and you must abide by the regulations in that permit. Times for abiding by these regulations for loud music are between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Q. Can I be issued a citation for having my vehicle radio too loud?
A. Yes. City of Sylvania ordinance SMC 331.43 prohibits a person from operating or permitting the operation of a sound amplification system within a vehicle so that it is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more from the vehicle.
Parking
Q. We have several vehicles, and I often have to park at the curb in front of our house. I have heard from neighbors that I am not permitted to park in the street. Is this true?
A. Sylvania ordinance SMC 351.14 sets a time limit of 18 hours for a vehicle to be parked in a residential area without moving. The vehicle must be moved after this time or the owner faces the possibility of being ticketed. However, this does not include weekends. There are no restrictions for Saturdays and Sundays. Please be aware that this does not give you permission to park near fire hydrants, within intersections or in designated “NO PARKING” zones.
Q. What are the parking restrictions in the City of Sylvania?
A. SMC 351.14 states that no vehicle shall be parked on any street for a period of time in excess of 18 eighteen hours except on Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays.
SMC 351.03 states no person shall park a vehicle:
- On a sidewalk, curb or street lawn area (between the sidewalk and the street)
- In front of a driveway.
- Within ten feet of a fire hydrant.
- On a crosswalk.
- Within 20 feet of a crosswalk.
- Within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device.
- At any place where signs prohibit, the curbing or street is painted yellow, or in excess of the maximum time limited by signs.
- Within one foot of another parked vehicle.
- Within any designated fire lane.
SMC 351.04 states a vehicle shall not be parked more than 12 inches from the curb, and that no vehicle shall be stopped or parked facing the wrong way.
SMC 351.17 states no person shall park any trailer on any street without a power unit (vehicle) attached to it.
SMC 311.01 (d) states that no person shall place any obstruction in or on any street (this would include dumpsters). A permit to place a dumpster in the street can be obtained from the chief of police.
Vehicles/Traffic
Q. Why are there cameras at the intersections?
A. The cameras are not designed for traffic enforcement. They are part of the new computerized traffic signal system. The cameras monitor traffic flow by projecting a hologram onto the roadway which changes color when it comes into contact with a metal object. The computer detects the color change (and, thus, the traffic flow) and adjust the signals accordingly.
Q. Can I ride my scooter on the city street?
A. No. You cannot ride any scooter (electric or gas) on any road or sidewalk in the City of Sylvania. To ride any motorized vehicle on a city street it must be street legal, registered and have license plates issued through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles of Ohio, and the operator must have an Ohio operator’s license. (SMC Chapter 373)
Q. I need to file an accident or crime report. Can I do this over the phone?
A. No, if you are in the city limits we will send an officer to meet you. If you are outside the city limits, you can come to the station at any time to meet with an officer about the report.
Q. I was involved in a non-injury accident in a parking lot. Is it necessary to have a police officer respond to make a report?
A. As a courtesy, the Sylvania Police Division will respond to a request for a police officer at a private property accident. However, in most instances, this is not required by Ohio’s traffic laws; private property accidents are generally considered civil matters. The parties involved may simply exchange information and contact their insurance companies, or make other arrangements that are mutually agreeable. If one of the parties flees the scene or refuses to exchange the required information, it may constitute a legal violation.
Q. If I lock my keys in my vehicle, will the Sylvania police help me?
A. Yes, the Sylvania police will come and attempt to unlock your vehicle. Some vehicles cannot be accessed with the tools we have. In that case, the officer may advise you to contact a locksmith for further assistance.
Q. I think traffic is going too fast on my street. How can I request that the Sylvania police place the speed trailer in my neighborhood?
A. You can call the Sylvania police dispatch non-emergency number (419-885-8902). Please advise them what and where the specific problems are. We have two speed trailers and try to rotate them to various high-complaint areas in the city.