Hiram council adopts zoning update, tightens employee smoking rules and a new maintenance code

Hiram Village Council on May 20 approved multiple ordinances that officials said update local land-use rules, tighten workplace standards and set clearer property-maintenance expectations.

The council passed Ordinance 2025-03, repealing Chapter 144 related to the Economic Development Committee, and Ordinance 2025-06, which replaces the existing zoning map with a new map. Both measures passed on third reading by unanimous votes of 4-0.

Councilmembers also amended and adopted changes to the employee handbook under Ordinance 2025-07. Councilmember Chris Szell moved to amend Section 7.16 to read in part: "Smoking, vaping, marijuana and tobacco use is prohibited in all village facilities and vehicles except as otherwise set forth herein. Smoke means to burn any substance containing tobacco including a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe, or to burn a clove cigarette. The use of smokeless tobacco is permitted except there shall be no smokeless tobacco use when (1) interacting with any member of the general public and (2) when situated in the front office or village administrative building." The amendment and the handbook adoption passed 4-0.

Council also adopted Ordinance 2025-08, establishing Chapter 1147, the "Maintenance Code," and approved amendments to Section 1147.11. The council amended subsection (d) to require that premises and exterior property be maintained free from weeds or grass growth in excess of 8 inches, prohibit noxious weeds and exclude public parkland from the regulations in that section. The council also removed subsection (f) from the original document. The motion to adopt the maintenance code as amended passed 4-0.

Several other ordinances and resolutions were introduced on first reading, including Ordinance 2025-09 (acknowledging the appointment of James L. Clemens as chief of police and waiving a residency requirement in the Ohio Revised Code), Ordinance 2025-10 (designating officials as Visa account signatories), Ordinance 2025-11 (participation in the R.I.T.A. non-filing delinquency program) and Ordinance 2025-12 (consent for ODOT resurfacing of S.R. 82). Those items were placed on first reading for later consideration.

Why it matters: The zoning map update affects land-use classifications that guide development and permits; the maintenance code clarifies enforcement standards for property owners and sets a maximum 8-inch growth threshold for weeds, and the employee handbook amendment standardizes smoking and tobacco rules across village facilities and vehicles.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 2025-03 (repeal Chapter 144): passed 4-0.
- Ordinance 2025-06 (zoning map): passed 4-0.
- Ordinance 2025-07 (employee handbook, amended Section 7.16): adopted as amended, passed 4-0.
- Ordinance 2025-08 (Maintenance Code, amended): adopted as amended, passed 4-0.

Next steps: Items introduced on first reading will return for subsequent readings; enforcement timing for the maintenance code was not specified at the meeting.