Weed Ordinance
Section 521.13 of Worthington's City Code specifies that no person, whether owner, lessee, agent, tenant. or any other person having charge or care of land in the City, shall permit noxious weeds or other undesirable vegetation, grasses, etc. to grow to a height in excess of 12 inches, or to mature their seeds, or fail to cut and destroy such weeds.

When the Service Director finds a violation of the weed ordinance, a notice of violation will be sent,. ordering the property owner to cut or destroy such weeds within 5 days. In the event the owner does not comply with the order within the time limit, the Service Department will perform the work and charge the property owner with a minimum fee of $25.00 for the first hour and $15.00 for each additional hour.  

  Street Trees & Tree Lawn

What is the Tree Lawn?
The tree lawn, street lawn, or park strip includes the strip of land (usually grassed) lying between the street right-of-way line and the street curb or pavement of streets, highways, avenues, lanes, etc.

Who Maintains the Tree Lawn?
Trees, shrubs, bushes, and other woody vegetation growing on the tree lawn shall be considered property of the City. The City has the right to plant, prune, maintain, and remove such vegetation from the tree lawn area as necessary to insure public health and safety or to preserve/enhance the symmetry and beauty of the grounds.

The owner or occupant of the premises fronting the tree lawn is the custodian of the tree lawn and shall keep the area in good condition. No structure of any type shall be placed in the tree lawn except with written permission from the Director of Public Service.

The City may advise property owners, free of charge, on the choice of species, proper planting techniques, and proper maintenance practices for trees on private property. However, the City may not plant, prune, maintain, or remove any vegetation on private property.

Planting Vegetation in the Tree Lawn
Planting trees, flowers, or shrubbery from the tree lawn first requires permission from the Director of Public Service.

The Service Director may deny permission to plant/replant in the tree lawn if

1. the location or species is deemed unsuitable, including those species which may constitute a nuisance by the dropping of objectionable fruit, exhalation of odors, or the clogging of sewers and drains, AND
2. the action does not benefit the preservation of the public health and safety in the area nor promote the health and safety of the urban forest.

Any trees planted in the tree lawn must be 35 feet or more from any street corner and 15 feet or more from any fire hydrant.

Species of trees, flowers or shrubbery prohibited by the Service Director may not be planted in the tree lawn.

Removing/Pruning Street Trees

Removing and pruning street trees is the responsibility of the Department of Public Service. If your street tree has been damaged in a storm or other cause, or you believe it is diseased or dying, please contact the Service Department at 431-2425. Service Crews will examine the tree and determine the necessary course of action.

Street Tree Planting Program
Through the Department of Parks and Recreation, the City offers a street tree planting program. The resident may choose from a list of approved tree species and the City will pay half the cost of the tree. The City will plant the tree and ensure its successful growth. For more information, call the Worthington Department of Parks & Recreation at 436-2743.

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 Right-of-Way Work Permits
What is a Right-Of-Way (ROW)? Defined as the area around any public street, road, highway, freeway, lane, path, way, alley, court, sidewalk, boulevard, parkway, drive or easement. The Worthington Department of Engineering may provide maps with the ROW shown.

The City of Worthington regulates activity in the public right-of-way to promote public health and safety, and to protect public property.

There are four types of ROW work permits:

1. Cable Television Franchise
2. Telecommunication and Utility Permit
3. Special Permit - granted to persons of specific, limited use of the ROW
4. Residential Permit - granted to an adjacent or proximate residential landowner to occupy or use a portion of the ROW for residential-related purposes.

Any work contemplated in the ROW (gas line repairs, water service repairs, elaborate mailboxes) require that residents secure a Right-of-Way Work Permit. Permit applications and related fees are submitted to the Public Service Director for review based on criteria outlined by City Code. No activity may begin in the ROW until the right of way work permit is approved and fees are submitted.

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In addition to the City staff performing weekly litter pick up along the City's busiest roadways, two organizations are currently participating in the Adopt-A-Roadway program. Our thanks to the following organizations for their dedicated service to the community:

• The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation - Linworth Rd. - from Snouffer Rd. to Godown Rd.
• New England Lodge #4, F.A.M. - Huntley Rd. - from Rt. 161 to Worthington-Galena Rd.

If your group, neighborhood, or organization would like to Adopt-A-Roadway in Worthington, please contact the Solid Waste Authority at 871-5100.

While the City strongly commends litter pick-up efforts, the City wants to stop littering from occurring in the first place. Please remember, that littering is against the law. As part of the Litter Watch program, Police Departments all over the County, including Worthington, are keeping their eyes out for litterbugs. You too can do your part by reporting littering at the Nail-A-Dumper Hotline 871-5322 or www.nailadumper.com.

How Nail-A-Dumper Hotline Works:

1. If you see someone littering: jot down License plate # Make/model of vehicle Description of person Time, Date, Location of littering     2. Report it : Call 871-5322 or go to          www.nailadumper.com          Reporting is anonymous.     3. Violator will receive a letter in the mail from the Franklin  County Sheriff's Office describing the illegal act committed and the litter laws.

Litter is ugly to look at, harmful to animals and the environment, and is expensive to clean up. The City of Worthington encourages its residents to do their part in making the City beautiful. For more information on the City's litter collection and prevention efforts, please contact the Worthington Department of Public Service at 431-2425.

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Seasonal Decorations

Hanging Baskets

The City of Worthington Service Department purchases the plant material, assembles, hangs, maintains, and removes the hanging baskets in-house. There are over 100 baskets along High St, at the Municipal Building and the Service/Engineering Building. The Department waters the baskets 3 days a week and deadheads the flowers on a regular basis. The baskets are hung in May and are taken down in early November.   For a guide to making your own hanging basket, please see our Hanging Basket Informational Guide.

American Flag Display
The Department also displays the American flags on the street light poles along High St. and Granville Rd. The Department hangs the flags during community events and to show pride and support for American troops. The flags are replaced when frayed and brackets are repaired as necessary.

Winter Holiday Decorations
The Service Department hangs holiday lights on the CBD street trees; hangs lit wreaths, garland, and ribbon on street poles; and decorates the Village Green holiday tree every winter. The decorations go up before the Holiday Open House in mid-November and are removed in January.

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