Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions we receive at the City of Springfield. Don’t see an answer to your question? Please visit our City of Springfield Department Pages to contact the appropriate person to assist you!

City Commission/City Clerk

When and where are City Commission meetings held?
Commission meetings are held in the Forum of City Hall on Tuesday evenings. The required legislative meetings begin at 7 pm. Click here for the City Commission Meeting Calendar.
Why is the Mayor only there part-time?
The city runs on City Commission-Manager type of government. The Commission enacts the local legislation, adopts budgets, determines policies and appoints the city manager, law director and finance director. The city manager executes the laws and administers the government of the city on the day-to-day basis.

Community Development

Are there restrictions on putting up a fence?
Fences may be built on private property, as long as they meet certain height and setback requirements. A building/fence permit is not required when constructing a fence. Fence standards apply to fences and screens of all types whether open, solid, wood, metal, wire, masonry or other material. Fences up to four feet tall can be constructed in the front building setbacks. Fences up to eight feet tall may be constructed in the side and rear building setbacks. Fences that are more than 10% solid (typical types of fence which are 10% solid or less are chain link, wire mesh or split rail) and taller than 2.5 feet, must be built to provide visibility triangles at street intersection, alleys and driveways. Barbed wire and electric fences are not permitted in residential districts. Corner lots may have additional requirements, call the Planning and Zoning Division at 937-521-8096 for more information.
How do I apply for or find out the status of my building permit application?
You may contact the City of Springfield, Community Development Department, Division of Building Regulations at 937-324-7388 or visit 76 E. High St., 2nd Floor of City Hall, Building Regulations Counter.
How do I report a potential property maintenance violation like structures that require repair, demolition, or that are vacant and not secured, unlawful yard accumulations, weeds and trees or shrubs blocking public rights-of-way?
The City maintains a Code Enforcement hotline. The phone number is 937-324-7385 or visit our Code Enforcement page.
How does the City of Springfield handle Affirmative Action Programs?
The Affirmative Action Program reviews and approves affirmative action plans for City sponsored contracting (exceeding $10,000.00) and Equal Employment Opportunities. Each prospective contractor bidding on a city contract shall be required to submit with his/her bid a written affirmative action program. Private corporations, firms, or persons receiving tax abatement or tax credit development incentives from the city shall submit a written affirmative action plan to the Contracts Compliance Officer. This person can be contacted by phone at 937-324-7379 or visited in person on the second floor in City Hall, located at 76 East High Street.
What department do I contact to become a licensed contractor?
You may contact the City of Springfield, Community Development Department, Division of Building Regulations at 937-324-7388 or visit 76 E. High St., 2nd Floor of City Hall, Building Regulations Counter.
Where can I obtain a list of building, plumbing and electrical contractors?
"You may contact the City of Springfield, Community Development Department, Division of Building Regulations at 937-324-7388 or visit 76 E. High St., 2nd Floor of City Hall, Building Regulations Counter.

Fire

Does the Fire Department install free smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors?
The Springfield Fire Rescue Division offers and installs free smoke detectors to qualified City residents. A Request for Residential Smoke Detector Evaluation Form may be completed and submitted electronically for consideration. You may also contact the Fire Rescue Division at 937-324-7605.
How do I become a Firefighter/Paramedic?
Applications for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic are accepted through the City of Springfield, Personnel Department, which can be reached at 937-324-7320. Questions regarding becoming a Firefighter/Paramedic can be directed to the Fire Rescue Division, Training/EMS Bureau at 937-324-7711.
How do I obtain a copy of an EMS or Fire Report?
The Request for EMS or Fire Report Form may be completed and submitted electronically to request such reports. You may also call the Fire Rescue Division, Administrative Office at 937-324-7605. EMS reports are only issued to the patient, provided valid identification is provided. This is due to HIPAA regulations. Persons requesting EMS reports, who are not the patient, must possess and provide documentation of Power of Attorney for the patient or provide a signed release form from the patient to obtain such reports. Fire Reports are public information and may be provided to any requester.
How do I obtain a Fire Safety Inspection?
The Request for Residential Home Inspection Form can be completed and submitted electronically. You may also contact the Fire Rescue Division, Fire Marshal’s Bureau at 937-324-7610 to schedule a Fire Safety Inspection.
How do I obtain a residential recreational burn permit?
The Request for Residential Recreational Burn Permit Form may be completed and submitted electronically to request a permit. If you are not the owner of the property, you must provide written approval of the property owner to obtain such a permit before it will be issued. You may also contact the Fire Marshal’s Bureau at 937-324-7610.
Where do I inquire regarding underground or above ground tank removal?
Contact the Springfield Fire Rescue Division's Fire Marshal's Bureau at 937--324-7610.
How do I register for a CPR Course?
Contact the Fire Rescue Division at 937-324-7606.

Human Resources

What is the civil service system and how does it apply to City employment?
Approximately 80% of City positions are classified as civil service positions. This means that individuals are hired only by passing job-related employment exams and, following a competitive process, a selection is made from among a specific number of the eligible candidates that have passed the exam. Separate exams are given for each job classification. The Human Resources Department conducts exams for approximately 30 to 40 classifications per year.
What type of positions are available with the City?
The City provides employment opportunities in a number of diverse occupational areas. The Human Resources Department regularly recruits for positions within all City departments.
Where and how can I apply for a City job?
The Human Resources Department utilizes an online application portal to accept all applications for employment. By visiting our website and clicking on the Employment tab, one may view open positions, set up an account and apply through the app.

Misc.

Where do I pay for plumbing permits/inspections?
Contact the Clark County Combined Health District at 937-390-5600.
How do I get a copy of a birth certificate or death certificate?
Contact the Clark County Combined Health District at 937-390-5600. The address is 529 East Home Road, Springfield, OH 45502.
How do I report streetlight outages or flickering street lights?
Call Ohio Edison at 888-544-4877.

Police & Courts

How do I get a protection order?
Temporary protection orders (TPOs) may be obtained for the victim of certain offenses where charges are actively filed with the court or there is an active warrant filed for the perpetrator’s arrest by a law enforcement officer. You can contact the City Prosecutor’s Office at 937-328-3740 to find out if you are eligible to request a TPO. If you are eligible to request a TPO, the prosecutor’s office can assist you in obtaining one. Civil protection orders (CPOs) generally do not require that a charge be actively filed or that there be an outstanding warrant for the perpetrator’s arrest. CPOs can be requested through the Clark County Common Pleas Court. The prosecutor’s office, however, cannot assist or advocate for you in obtaining a CPO. You would need to either represent yourself in obtaining a CPO or retain the service of an attorney to represent you in doing so.
How do I file charges?
A law enforcement officer who makes an arrest or investigates a crime files most charges. Charges may also be filed directly through the City Prosecutor’s Office in limited circumstances by obtaining a citizen complaint packet from the office. Citizen complaint packets require that a police report be made and a copy of the police report attached to the completed packet. A prosecutor will then review the completed packet for possible charges.
Can I drop charges?
No. Only the Prosecutor’s Office has authority to drop or dismiss charges with the court’s approval.
How can I talk to a prosecutor about my case?
If you are not represented by an attorney or by the Public Defender’s Office, you can request at your first court appearance that your case be assigned for a non-attorney pretrial conference with one of the prosecutors to discuss a possible resolution of your case. If you are being represented by an attorney or by the Public Defender’s Office, the prosecutor will discuss your case with your attorney or public defender ONLY. You should contact your attorney or the Public Defender’s Office at 937-521-1726.
How can I find out when my next court date is?
You can get information about your case, including court dates, on the Clark County Municipal Court website. You can also contact the Clerk of Courts by phone at 937-328-3713.
What do I need to do in order to hold a block party?
In order to have a block party, a permit must be completed and submitted at least 14 days in advance. You can find the permit here.

Service & Engineering

Can I connect to city water and sewer?
First contact the Service Department at 937-525-5800 to determine if water and sewer are available in your area. You may be required to pay a connection fee and obtain a permit to work in right of way. Work done on private property may require a plumbing permit from the Clark County Combined Health District.
How do I get a handicap parking space in front of my house?
Please contact the Engineering Department at 937-324-7313 to inquire about this application process.
What is in my water?
Drinking water may include small amounts of contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. As water travels over and through the ground on its way to the Mad River Valley Buried Aquifer, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and picks up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. To ensure that our water is safe to drink, we treat and disinfect it to meet or exceed the standards set by the USEPA. More information about contaminants and potential health effects may be obtained by contacting the USEPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. Please refer to our Annual Report for a list of analytical results.
When does the City plow residential streets?
The City’s goal is to have all arterial and collector streets cleared within 12 hours after the end of the storm. Residential streets are addressed on a storm-by-storm basis and given varying levels of attention according to factors such as temperature and amount of snow and ice. Questions may be directed to the Service Center at 937-525-5800.
Where do you make a complaint regarding debris on the street?
Contact the Service Department at 937-525-5800.
Who fixes potholes and makes street repairs?
The Service Department’s Street Maintenance Division is responsible for the maintenance and repair of city streets and public alleys. Use the Report a Concern feature on the website, or call the Service Center at 937-525-5800.
Who is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, curb, and gutter around my property?
The property owner is responsible. Per Chapter 903.11 of the Codified Ordinances, every owner of any lot or parcel of land in the City shall keep the sidewalks, curbing, gutters, and driveways in the public right of way in front of and abutting upon such lot or parcel of land constantly in good repair and free from nuisances.
Who should I call if I have a sewer back up?
Your first call should be to the Springfield Service Department, so that the city sewer main can be checked for a stoppage. If there is no stoppage in the sewer main, your second call should be to a drain cleaner.
Does Springfield have lead water lines?
None of the public water mains in the Springfield system are made of lead; they are made of cast iron, ductile iron, or concrete. However, because some water service lines, home plumbing, fixtures, and solder may contain lead materials or parts, precautions are taken to prevent lead from leaching into the water customers rely on at the tap.
Why does Springfield have a Stormwater Utility?
The Utility helps pay for infrastructure improvements and maintenance needed to reduce the volume of combined sewer overflows into local waterways. Springfield, like many Midwestern cities, has an old sewer system that combines stormwater and sanitary waste into the same pipe. When the volume of that pipe is exceeded, untreated wastewater enters local waterways. While these overflows were once a Best Practice, they are now a violation of the Clean Water Act that the city must address.