Ohio Town Requires Landscape Contractors to Register

Bexley, Ohio, City Council members passed an amended ordinance Oct. 28 requiring landscape contractors to obtain a permit to operate in the city.

The ordinance, which will take effect Jan. 1, mandates that landscape contractors register with the city and front an application fee of $25 to operate on commercial or private property.

City Auditor Larry Heiser told council members that the ordinance functions as a way to force contractors to file income tax returns.

The ordinance mirrors an 18-year-old policy in place in the city of Solon outside of Cleveland where landscape contractors that are registered in the city are posted on its Web site.

"The whole purpose is aimed at contractors doing 95 percent of the work in the community. That's who we're after," Mayor John Brennan said.

City Council amended the ordinance to exclude persons under 18 who make less than $2,000 per year performing landscape work. Council members sought to avoid charging an application fee to the Bexley High School or Capital University student who would be working in the summer to make extra money.

"There's a big difference between a high school kid doing it and a legitimate business," Service Director Bill Harvey said.

"The problem is the guy that does five lawns a week and we don't get a share of it."

Harvey said the chances of a 17-year-old making more than $2,000 are slim.

Councilwoman Robyn Jones said that $25 may amount to over half of a casual laborer's profits, but setting a $2,000 ceiling before requiring a permit proves necessary for the student who performs landscape work full time and goes to school.

A landscape contractor is being defined as a person who, on commercial or residential property in the city, engages in the business of regrading land; installing top soil and mulch; planting lawns, shrubs and trees; installing walkways of stone, brick or slag; mowing lawns; trimming bushes and trees; raking leaves; and replanting trees and bushes.

Permits will expire after Dec. 31 each year.