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Building Inspection

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1. Do I need a permit for my project?

The best answer to this would probably be to ask "Does the project include structural or electrical changes or additions?" If so, you probably need a permit. If there is any doubt about the need for a permit, your best option is to phone us at 937-498-8132 or at 937-498-8130 and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.

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Code Enforcement

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1. What are the fees for high grass and weed violations corrected by the city's contractor?

Contractor rates for 2022 are as follows:

• $65.00/hr for routine mowing/trimming, including clearing and removal
• $105.00/hr for bush hog mowing, including clearing and removal of all clippings
• $80.00/hr for maintenance of unmanaged vegetation and removal of noxious weeds and other vegetation, including clearing and removal of all items

Violators are charged the contractor’s hourly rate plus:

• $75 for the first mowing/removal in a calendar year
• $150 for the second mowing/removal in a calendar year
• $250 for the third and subsequent mowing/removals in a calendar year

2. What are the high grass and weed regulations?

Codified Ordinances Section 553.01 says, Between March 1 and December 31 of each year, no person or entity which is the owner of record of any parcel, lot or land within the City corporation limits shall permit any grass over eight inches, noxious weeds, or untended, rank, and unmanaged growth of vegetation. 

3. How are high grass and weed violators notified?

Notice is posted on the property in violation and/or mailed to the owner and occupant of the property once per calendar year. If the violation is not corrected within seven days of notice, the City’s contractor will mow, remove noxious weeds, and remove rank and unmanaged growth. Please note that notices are mailed once per calendar year. Subsequent violations within the year will be mowed by the City contractor without further notice provided to the owner or occupant.

4. Are there different high grass rules for vacant lots?

• Residential zoned lots must be entirely maintained.
• Commercial/industrial lots adjacent to 2 or more residential-use lots must be entirely maintained.
• Commercial/industrial lots adjacent to less than 2 residential-use lots must be mowed twice per year, once between May 1 and July 31, and once between August 1 and October 31, in addition to maintaining 25 feet from each edge of pavement at all times.

5. Can I get a waiver from the high grass and weed regulations?

Waivers may be granted in cases where strict application would result in an undue hardship or practical difficulty. Waivers will not be accepted on the grounds of convenience or profit, and under no circumstance will the City waive the requirements to remove noxious weeds. An owner may request a waiver from the Code Enforcement Officer in cases such as, but not limited to:

• Steep terrain
• Wetlands
• Wooded areas.

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Community Development

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1. Do I need a permit for a yard sale?

No, but where you put any signs advertising the sale is regulated.

2. Can I raise chickens on my property?

Section 505.14 of the city’s Codified Ordinances prohibits chickens from being raised within city limits, except at the Shelby County Fairgrounds.

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Finance Department

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1. Where should I send an invoice for payment by the City?

Please send invoices to:
City of Sidney
201 W Poplar Street
Sidney, OH 45365

2. When will my invoice be paid?

Generally, accounts payable checks are written once a week. The City’s policy is that all invoices approved for payment will be paid within 30 days of receipt unless contractual terms provide otherwise.

3. What are the hours of operation for the Finance Department?

The Finance Department is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

4. Is the City tax-exempt?

Yes. To obtain a copy of the “Blanket Certificate of Exemption” for the City, please call Accounts Payable at 937-498-8147.

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Finance Department - Income Tax

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1. Who is required to file a Sidney income tax return?

• All Sidney residents and partial-year residents ages 18 and over
• All Sidney residents ages 16 and 17 only if their tax is not completely withheld for Sidney at the rate of 1.75%
• Retired residents if they have a rental, business or other income taxable to Sidney
• Every business entity that conducts business within the City of Sidney
• Every non-resident who engages in business or other activity within the City of Sidney, including, but not limited to the rental of real or personal property. Non-residents who are employed within the City of Sidney, but whose Sidney City income tax is not fully withheld by their employer, must also file a return.

Exemption

Retired or permanently disabled individuals who have no wages, rental, business or other income taxable to Sidney may obtain exemption from filing a Sidney tax return. To receive exemption, complete a one-time Exemption Form (with a copy of page 1 of your Federal Form 1040, if applicable) and submit to our office. 

Please note that if your status changes and you again become employed or earn Sidney taxable income, you will be required to file a Sidney tax return for any full/partial year in which such income is earned. There is no age limit, according to the Ohio Revised Code, for paying municipal taxes on otherwise taxable earned income.

2. Who must file and pay estimated tax payments?

While not all-inclusive, generally you must file and pay quarterly estimated tax payments if any of the following applies to you:

• You are a Sidney resident and earn compensation outside of Sidney that was not subject to taxation by another municipality or you earned compensation in a municipality with a municipal income tax rate of less than 1.75%
• You are a Sidney resident and are self-employed (filing a Schedule C on your Federal tax return) or receive a Form 1099
• You are a not a Sidney resident but had self-employment income earned in Sidney
• You have any similar type of situation where your income is not fully withheld upon (at 1.75%) and you would have a tax balance due to Sidney

3. When are estimate payments due?

• Quarterly estimates are due on or before April 15, July 31, October 31 and January 31 for individuals (those filing using their social security number) for the tax year 2015 and earlier. 
  • For individuals with tax years beginning after December 31, 2015, quarterly estimates are due on or before April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.
• For businesses (those filing using their Federal ID number), quarterly estimates are due on or before April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. 
• Estimated payments for fiscal year businesses are due on the 15th day of the fourth, sixth, ninth and twelfth months after the beginning of their taxable year.

4. How much estimated tax am I required to pay?

To avoid being assessed an underestimation penalty, you must pay in the lesser of:

• 90% of the current tax year’s tax liability (through withholdings, estimated payments, or prior year overpayments)
• 100% of the prior year’s tax liability (through withholdings, estimated payments, or prior year overpayments). 

Contact our office for more assistance in calculating this amount.

5. Can I get help completing my Sidney tax return?

We will gladly help you prepare your return for you, and there is no charge for this service. Simply bring your tax records (e.g. Federal 1040, all W-2’s, 1099-Misc, and other Federal schedules) and this package to our office. We highly recommend having your return prepared by our staff prior to March 31. Waiting until after this date may result in long lines or extended waiting for our office staff to assist with the preparation of your return.

6. Are students exempt from Sidney income tax? Exempt from filing a return?

Being a student has no effect on your Sidney income tax liability. All those age 16 years or older are subject to Sidney income tax on their Sidney taxable income. However, if you are ages 16 or 17 and your employer has withheld 1.75% for Sidney income tax, you are exempt from filing a Sidney tax return.

7. What schedules or supporting documents must I attach to my return?

The first page of your Federal Form 1040 is required to be attached to be considered a “complete” return.

8. I have a rental property that shows a loss each year after expenses. Should I include that in my return?

Yes, anyone having a rental property located in Sidney is required to file a return and include a copy of their Schedule E or applicable schedule of income and expenses for the rental. A return is required each year even though losses may have been incurred. Also, any Sidney residents having rental properties are required to file on those properties no matter where the properties are located.

9. May I offset my self-employment losses, rental losses or other losses against my wage income?

Business/rental losses may not be used to offset salaries, wages, commissions or other compensation. If a taxpayer is engaged in two or more taxable business activities to be included in the same return, the net loss of one business activity (not reportable to another municipality) may be used to offset the profits of another for purposes of arriving at overall net profits or net operating loss. Net operating losses may be carried forward and utilized for up to five years.

10. My W-2 has differing amounts in the federal income box, the local income box and the Medicare box. Which amount should I show as taxable wages for my city income tax return?

Sidney levies its 1.75% income tax on “qualifying wages”. In terms of which box on your Form W-2 represents “qualifying wages” for Sidney income tax purposes, it is generally the larger of Box 5 or Box 18. If your W-2’s are marked “various” or “all cities” in the Local Tax Withheld Line, you should request an itemized breakdown by city from your employer(s). You must attach this to your return. If you have questions, please contact our office.

11. I live in Sidney but work in another city and have tax withheld for that city. Do I get credit for that against my Sidney tax liability?

Yes, credit is allowed for taxes paid to another city. The allowable credit is 1.75% of the amount paid to the other city.

12. When are tax returns due?

Individuals and calendar-year businesses are required to file by April 15th. Fiscal-year businesses are required to file on the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of their fiscal year.

13. What are the penalties and interest if I don't file?

• For tax years after December 31, 2015, the late filing penalty is $25 per month after the due date (or extended due date, if applicable) up to a maximum of $150.
• Failure to pay taxes when due will result in penalty and interest of 1.5% each per month, or fraction thereof, to be assessed from the original due date for returns before January 1, 2016. 
• For tax years prior to January 1, 2016, if you file your return after its due date (or extended due date, if applicable), you will be subject to a $25 late filing fee, if filed within 60 days after the due date, but if filed more than 60 days late, the fee is $50
• For tax year 2016 the interest is.42% per month, 5% per annum. 
• For tax year 2017 the interest rate is.5% per month, 6% per annum. There is also a late filing penalty. 
• For tax years after December 31, 2015 the late filing penalty is $25 per month after the due date (or extended due date, if applicable) up to a maximum of $150.

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Fire & Emergency Services - Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Billing

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1. What is the fee rate?

For a basic life support (BLS) transport, the current fee is $516 plus $11.73 per loaded mile. Advanced life support (ALS) is $909 plus $11.73 per loaded mile; or advanced life support 2 (ALS2) is $1,137 plus $11.73 per loaded mile. These are the rates charged to the insurance company or Medicare. You as a resident will not be responsible for these fees.

2. If I do not have insurance, will my level of care be affected?

No. Implementation of the ambulance billing fee will not affect the level of care or priority of treatment in any way. You will be treated and transported regardless of whether or not you have insurance. Only after being transported will you be asked about your insurance.

3. What is an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) user fee?

A fee is charged for patients transported to a hospital facility by the fire department emergency medical service.

4. How is the fee billed?

The patient’s insurance company or Medicare (if applicable) will be direct billed electronically by the City’s billing company. No resident will personally receive a bill.

5. Will I receive a bill for my insurance co-pay?

No. The Office of Inspector General has determined that local taxes paid to the City are acceptable as co-pay amounts. It is the City’s policy that no resident be billed for emergency medical services.

6. Will I receive a bill if I don’t have insurance?

No. The Inspector General’s Opinion has determined that local taxes paid to the City are accepted as payment made in full. It is the City’s policy that no resident be billed for emergency medical services.

7. Will this fee raise the cost of my insurance?

No. The Ohio Revised Code requires insurance companies to have provisions in their policy coverage for ambulance transports. Medicare and Medicaid also have required provisions for ambulance transportation fees. Thus, residents have been paying for ambulance transportation services in their insurance premiums even if the fee was not previously collected.

8. How is the fee established?

The City is following the usual and customary rates established by Medicare for our area.

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Shelby Public Transit

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1. Who can use the transit system?

The service is open to everyone that needs a ride. Call the Public Transit at 937-492-6117 for more information.

2. Why do you need so much personal information when I call to schedule a ride?

The first time you call, your information is entered into our scheduling program so your future trip requests can be entered quickly. Call the Public Transit at 937-492-6117 for more information.

3. How much does it cost to go to one of the county villages?

You can ride to/from anywhere within the county for $5. The reduced rate for seniors and disabled riders is $2.50. Call 937-492-6117 for schedule a ride.

4. I need assistance when I get to my destination. Can I bring a helper with me?

Yes. Please let us know if you will have a personal care attendant (PCA) riding with you when you schedule your trip. There is no charge for the PCA to ride if the PCA is picked up and dropped off at the same location as you. Call 937-492-6117 to schedule a ride.

5. I use a mobility device. Can I get on your vehicles?

Yes, all of our vehicles are accessible to mobility devices. Our drivers are trained to assist passengers in loading, unloading, and securing mobility devices. Call 937-492-6117 for more information.

6. Can your driver help me to and from the house to the vehicle?

Yes, passenger assistance to and from the vehicle to the door is available upon request. We ask that during inclement weather sidewalks, ramps and drives be cleared of ice and/or snow. We reserve the right to refuse assistance if hazardous conditions exist.

7. Why can't you take me straight home or to my destination?

Our service is a public transportation shared ride program. The driver may have other riders that are scheduled to be picked up and dropped off during your trip. Keep this in mind when scheduling your trip and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Call 937-492-6117 for more information.

8. Why didn't the driver honk the horn so I would know the bus/van was here?

Rather than honking the horn and disturbing others, we ask our passengers to be looking for the vehicle 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time. Call 937-492-6117 for more information.

9. Why can't you pick me up at the time I need a trip?

Our scheduler will work hard to schedule your trip at your requested time, but service is very limited and there are certain times of the day when there are no openings. Our service is first come/first serve and scheduled if space is available. We suggest that you schedule your trips as early as possible to reserve the time you need. Call 937-492-6117 to reserve your time.

10. What time is your last pick up?

Review the times for the pick-up:

• City: 4:30 p.m.
• County: 4 p.m.
• Miami County/Sunoco: 4 p.m.

11. Can you wait for me while I run into the store?

No. You will need to schedule a pick up and return trip when you call. You trip is completed when you leave the bus at any destination. On most days the driver has other trips scheduled and cannot wait.

12. Can I use a credit card?

No, we are unable to process credit/debit card payments at this time.

13. Can both of my kids ride for one price since they both go to the same school?

No, you must pay the regular fare for each child.

14. Can you take me to the next county?

Yes, we are able to provide transportation to Miami County. For details call 937-492-6117.

15. What is your policy on packages and bags?

You can carry on as many bags as you can safely handle at one time without assistance. The bags must be secure in your seat or you are welcome to use a personal shopping cart. Drivers are not required to assist with carry-on items. If assistance is needed due to age or disability, drivers may assist you to get your items to your door. You may also schedule a personal care attendant (PCA) to ride with you.

16. How much does it cost to bring my baby with me?

Children under the age of 5 ride free. However, you are responsible for providing the proper child restraint seat for the child and for securing the seat before departure.

17. Why did a bus/van go past my house without stopping to pick me up?

That vehicle is scheduled to pick up someone at another location and their drop off is in the opposite direction that you will be going. Your bus/van will arrive shortly.

18. Can I pay you at the end of my trip?

No, our policy is that you must pay when you board the vehicle.

19. What if I accidently leave something behind on the vehicle?

If you leave anything on the vehicle, call our office at 937-492-6117. We will make every effort to locate and return lost items to our customers. Please understand that Shelby Public Transit is not responsible for items left on the vehicle.

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Solid Waste

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1. Where can I recycle electronics?

Several electronic manufacturers and some re-sellers now offer drop-off, mail-in or recycling event options. The USEPA offers a list of options.

The Shelby County Recycling Center also accepts electronic and television at a cost of $0.12 per pound. Some restrictions apply and recycling appointments are required. If you are interested in local electronics recycling, call 1.800.553.6763 EXT 20 for more details

2. How can I dispose of unwanted paint?

If your latex (water-based) paint is unusable, the North Central Ohio Solid Waste District offers directions on properly drying the paint for disposal with your normal household solid waste.

Oil-based paints and paint products, such as thinners, solvents & stains, are classified as hazardous waste. If you can’t use up these products, they need to be disposed of during Household Hazardous Waste Collections.

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Stormwater Monitoring

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1. What Is Stormwater?

Stormwater is what occurs following a precipitation event. Rain or snow falls on the ground and as the water moves downhill over the land it becomes "stormwater."

2. Why are we concerned about stormwater?

As water moves over yards, streets, house, driveways, etc., it picks up pollutants and carries them with it.  Most runoff is directed to a storm drain that drains to the river or stream. Thus, any pollutants on the land will be carried to the river potentially harming wildlife and possible drinking water sources.

3. What is being done about stormwater?

In 1987 Congress amended the Clean Water Act to require the U.S. EPA to establish requirements for storm water discharges. Phase I Stormwater regulations began in 1992 followed by Phase II in 2003.  Phase I regulates industrial activity and municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) with populations of 100,000 or more.  Phase II regulates MS4s serving populations less than 100,000 and construction activities.