The Good Neighbor Guide is intended to help support a high quality of life for all of those that call Bowling Green home. A good neighbor is considerate, friendly and participates in actions that support community. While the Guide can be utilized as a reference for common scenarios related to neighborhood issues, we recommend reviewing the following tips and resources that are critical to creating and maintaining good neighbor relationships.
Tips for Success:
Make meaningful contact. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. A simple hello goes a long way to building relationships.
Know neighbors on a personal level. Ask questions about their interests, professions, backgrounds and their family.
Be considerate. Please think about your neighbors’ schedules, which may be different from yours, and be considerate.
Making too much noise, particularly late at night, is a nuisance and against the law. Large parties can also cause friction with your neighbors and violate city ordinances.
Be respectful. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, inclusive community. Posting signs or banners that members of the community could find offensive runs counter to the values of Bowling Green. It could also be a violation of your lease and city ordinances.
Know your lease. Understand what your landlord is responsible for and what your obligations are for things like trash disposal, lawn care and snow removal.
Know your city and neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with regulations on things like noise and litter ordinances, parking and snow removal. Much of this information can be found on the city of Bowling Green’s website.
Please help us make sure BG remains a great place to live and learn!
City and Campus Resources:
FOR EMERGENCIES: DIAL 911
City Website: www.bgohio.org
Fire Department: 419-352-3106
Police Department: 419-352-2571
Utilities: Electric, water, and sewer: 419-354-6258; Columbia Gas, 1-800-344-4077
BGSU Office of the Dean of Students: 419-372-2843
Falcon Health Center: 419-372-2271
BGSU Student Legal Services: 419-372-2951
BGSU Police: 419-372-2346
BGSU Counseling Center: 419-372-2081
Click the text for each scenario/complaint to expand for additional information.
Click here for a printable version of the Good Neighbor Guide.
Neighbors are having a loud party during nighttime or early morning hours
CONTACT
Agency: Bowling Green Police Division
Phone: 419-352-1131
ENFORCEMENT
A site visit will occur within one hour depending on call volume.
Neighbor's dog barks excessively
CONTACT
Agency: Bowling Green Police Division
Phone: 419-352-1131
ENFORCEMENT
A site visit will occur within one hour depending on call volume.
Private trash trucks are excessively loud during nighttime or early morning hours, or any noise complaint
CONTACT
Agency: Bowling Green Police Division
Phone: 419-352-1131
ENFORCEMENT
A site visit will occur within one hour depending on call volume.
Small trash (papers, cans, bottles, etc.) is being left on neighbor's property
CONTACT
Agency: Bowling Green Police Division
Phone: 419-352-1131
ENFORCEMENT
A site visit will occur within one hour depending on call volume.
Large trash (couch, chairs, table, etc.) on my property or neighbor's property
Initial Research – within 24 hours
Site Visit – within 24 hours
Follow up Research – within 24 hours
Findings/Written Report – within 7 to 21 days
CORRECTION
Remove items in violation. Abatement or remediation of violation within 7-21 days. Follow up visit by agency within 7-21 days.
Large trash (couch, chairs, table, etc.) is being left on public property including the sidewalk or median
CONTACT
Agency: Public Works
Phone: 419-354-6227
Email: bgpw@bgohio.org
VIOLATION
BG Code 94.21 LITTER IN PUBLIC PLACES. Violation constitutes a minor misdemeanor if left after 24 hours.
ENFORCEMENT
Site Visit – same day as received if regular workday (Monday – Friday)
Follow Up Research – 24 hours
Findings/Written Report – 7 to 21 days
Follow Up Visit – next day after first Site Visit
Neighbors have tall brush, grass, or noxious weeds (over 8 inches)
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
VIOLATION
BG Code 99.20 NOXIOUS WEEDS; DUTY TO CUT. Violation constitutes a minor misdemeanor.
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 2 to 3 days
Site Visit – 2 to 3 days
Follow Up Research – 1 Day
Findings/Written Report – 1 Day
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 5 days after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 8-10 days. Follow up visit by agency within 8-10 days.
Public property, including parkways or medians have tall brush, grass or noxious weeds (over 8 inches)
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
VIOLATION
BG Code 99.20 NOXIOUS WEEDS; DUTY TO CUT.
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 2 to 3 days
Site Visit – 2 to 3 days
Follow Up Research – 1 Day
Findings/Written Report – 1 Day
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 5 days after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 8-10 days. Follow up visit by agency within 8-10 days.
Neighbor's building(s) appear to be unsafe due to damage or deterioration
Initial Research – 1 Day
Site Visit – 1 Day
Follow up Research – 1 Day
Findings/Written Report – Dependent on circumstances
CORRECTION
Bringing the violating structure(s) into compliance within an amount of time suitable for the circumstances. When that time frame has been determined, the agency will conduct a follow-up visit after the duration has ended.
Neighbor's building appears to have more residents than allowed occupancy for appartments
Initial Research – 1 Day
Site Visit – 1 Day
Follow up Research – 1 Day
Findings/Written Report – Dependent on circumstances
Neighbor's building appears to have more residents than allowed occupancy (for single-family dwelling)
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
PENALTY
$500 per day
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 3 weeks
Site Visit – 3 weeks
Follow Up Research – 3 weeks
Findings/Written Report – Dependent on circumstances
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 30 days after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 30-45 days. Follow up visit by agency within 60 days.
Vehicles are being parked on public property including parkways, median, or left on the street for an extended period of time
CONTACT
Agency: Police Division
Person: Dispatch
Phone: 419-352-1131
PENALTY
$500 per day
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – Dispatched to area officer. If a 24-hour parking issue, then complaint is forwarded to Parking.
Site Visit – Dispatched to area officer. If a 24-hour parking issue, then complaint is forwarded to Parking.
Vehicles are being parked on neighbor's front yards, or anywhere on the grass on the private property
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
VIOLATION
Civil citation Class A – Bowling Green Code 76.16
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 2-3 Days
Site Visit – 2-3 Days
Follow Up Research – 2-3 Days
Findings/Written Report – 2-3 Days
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 24 hours after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 24-48 hours. Follow up visit by agency within 7-10 days.
There are inoperable vehicles parked on my street
CONTACT
Agency: Police Division
Person: Dispatch
Phone: 419-352-1131
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Site Visit – Within 24 hours if regular weekday
There are inoperable vehicles on my neighbor's property
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
VIOLATION
Civil citation Class A – Bowling Green Code 70.40
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 2-3 Days
Site Visit – 2-3 Days
Follow Up Research – 2-3 Days
Findings/Written Report – 2-3 Days
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 14 days after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 3 weeks. Follow up visit by agency within 3-4 weeks.
An illegal sign has been posted on my street
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
VIOLATION
Civil citation Class A – Bowling Green Code 115.02
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 2-3 Days
Site Visit – 2-3 Days
Follow Up Research – 2-3 Days
Findings/Written Report – 2-3 Days
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 10-14 days after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 14-21 days. Follow up visit by agency within 21 days.
My street has broken or disconnected sidewalks
CONTACT
Agency: Public Works
Phone: 419-354-6227
Email: bgpw@bgohio.org
CORRECTION
Sidewalks and sidewalk maintenance are the responsibility of the property owner. However, the City offers a 50/50 sidewalk program whereby the City will share the cost with the property owner.
Open burn on private or public property
CONTACT
Agency: Fire Division
Phone: 419-352-3106
Email: bgfire@bgohio.org
PERMIT
Required. Available at the Fire Division, 552 E. Court St.
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 5 minutes from call (depending on call volume)
Site Visit – 10 minutes from call
Findings/Written Report – 30 minutes (depending on call volume)
CORRECTION
Fire must be extinguished immediately.
Door to door solicitation
CONTACT
Agency: Police Division
Person: Dispatch
Phone: 419-352-1131
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Site Visit – Within 1 hour depending on call volume
Ferel or wild animals
CONTACT
Agency: Police Division
Person: Dispatch
Phone: 419-352-1131
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Site Visit – 24 hours if a regular weekday
Snow removal on private property (including sidewalks)
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
PENALTY
Civil citation plus cost of snow removal
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 24-48 Hours
Site Visit – 24-48 Hours
Follow Up Research – 24-48 Hours
Findings/Written Report – 24-48 Hours
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 24 hourss after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 72 hours. Follow up visit by agency within 72 hours.
Pods/Rvs, boats, or trailers on private property
CONTACT
Agency: Planning Department
Person: Jason Westgate, Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: 419-354-6218
Email: jwestgate@bgohio.org
PENALTY
Civil citation
ENFORCEMENT
Initial Research – 2-3 Days
Site Visit – 2-3 Days
Follow Up Research – 2-3 Days
Findings/Written Report – 2-3 Days
CORRECTION
Remediation or abatement of the violation is required within 7 days after notice of violation posted. Typical time for remediation or abatement is 14 days. Follow up visit by agency within 1 week.
Missing street signs
CONTACT
Agency: Police Division
Person: Dispatch
Phone: 419-352-1131
CORRECTION
Information will be forwarded to Public Works.
A street light is out
CONTACT
Agency: Electric Division
Phone: 419-354-6260
Email: bgelec@bgohio.org.
CORRECTION
Report that a street light is out, and provide either the pole number (located on the light pole) or the street address near the light in question.
Once reported, it typically will take 5 business days for the light to be fixed. This timeframe is dependent on the work load at the time of the report.
Water is backing up in the street
CONTACT
Agency: Water Distribution/Waste Water Collection Division
Phone: 419-354-6277
Email: watersewer@bgohio.org
CORRECTION
Storm sewers around the City are designed to limit the amount of water that can drain at one time to ensure a combined waste and storm water sewer does not overflow. This is done by reducing the opening size of the catch basin. These reducers, are installed exclusively on side streets.
If you notice standing water during a storm, this is likely done by design and typically lasts about 1 hour after the rain event subsides.
CONTACT
CONTACT
