I have rusty water. Are you flushing hydrants?

Fire hydrants are flushed in the middle of April to the middle of May. Contact the Fire Prevention Office at 614-583-5100 to see if a hydrant in your area is being flushed. If your water is rusty and it is not during the flushing season, call Columbus Water Division at 614-645-7788 to see if there is a water main break or if there is construction in your neighborhood.

If I sell my home between utility billing cycles, will the City reimburse me for the “unused” service period?

No, all fees included on your utility invoice (stormwater, solid waste, neighborhood lighting utility—if applicable) run with the property and the City does not prorate the amount due should a property change hands during the year. The individual/party that owns the property in question when the utility bill is received is responsible for payment in full.We recommend that you discuss balancing your utility account through your realtor and escrow closing, similar to how property taxes are pro-rated.

Who do I report water main breaks to?

The City of Columbus provides water service to all UA residents and businesses. If you experience flooding or suspect a water main break, call the City of Upper Arlington Public Works Division at 614-583-5385 during regular business hours. A member of staff will visit the site to determine the nature of the problem, and contact the City of Columbus on your behalf. If you have an after hours emergency, contact the City of Columbus at 614-645-7788.

What causes orange or discolored water?

Discolored water is caused by the build up of iron and calcium deposits in the waterline. When water flow is interrupted by a line break or fire hydrant flushing, deposits can be stirred up, creating the colored water. It usually takes three-to-four hours for water to clear. Periodically turn on your cold water and let it run for several minutes. Keep doing this until the cold water is clear. Do not use hot water or wash clothes until the water is clear.

How can I prevent water line freezes?

For homes built on slabs, the line will likely froze where the pipe enters the home. For homes with basements, the line into the home likely froze where it passes through concrete block into the home. Insulate pipes where freezing is likely to occur. If this is not possible, periodically turn on your water and let it run for several seconds, purchase a space heater to place in front of the pipes or purchase a heating coil that can be plugged in and wrapped around the pipes to keep them warm. Try using a hair dryer and blowing warm air down onto frozen sections or into the opening of the block wall where the water line enters the home.

Why can't my annual stormwater fee be used to make drainage improvements on my property?

The stormwater fee is used to repair and maintain the City's existing stormwater system. It is not designed to make improvements on private property.

I don't see a drainage problem on my property, so why should I be charged?

The benefits are not site specific. Run-off from your property combines with that from other lots, accumulating to become part of the problem downstream. Benefits are gained throughout the City by minimizing the flooding of roads, intersections, and downstream properties.

Is my utility fee tax deductible?

No, it is a utility fee just like your water or electric bills, and is therefore not tax deductible.

Patrol & Operations Bureau – City of Upper Arlington

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Our Patrol/Operations Bureau provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week emergency and non-emergency law enforcement response to the community.

The Patrol/Operations Bureau provides assistance with community events held in the public rights-of-way and that require traffic control—such as Fourth of July, the Columbus Marathon and 5K runs/walks. Permits for special events much be obtained from the City Manager’s Office, entailing a review and approval process by various departments, depending on the scale of the event. Call the Special Events Request line, at 614-583-5164 for details.

POLICE DIVISION

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DIVISION NEWS

04Apr '24

Upper Arlington Announces Promotion of New Police Chief

The City of Upper Arlington is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Hall as its new Police Chief, effective April 8, 2024. With a wealth of experience and commitment…

03Apr '24

UAPD Officer Receives UACA Golden Apple Award

Officer Travis Goodman has been awarded a Golden Apple Award by the Upper Arlington Civic Association. The award recognizes Officer Goodman's exceptional dedication and positive impact on the school community.…

DON'T TEXT & DRIVE

Texting while driving is a primary offense in Upper Arlington. State law already bans texting, but it is only a primary offense for those under 18 (those over 18 must have committed another offense). Upper Arlington’s ban allows Police to pull drivers over and cite them for texting while driving without having to guess their age.

You can set a good example for young drivers by not using your cell phone while driving.

Drivers who send/receive texts while driving are 23% more likely to be involved in a crash than other drivers.
Cell phones are involved in 1.6 million auto crashes per year.
Texting while driving is six time more likely to cause an auto crash than driving while intoxicated.
The distance traveled taking your eyes off the road for five seconds at 55 mph is the equivalent of the length of a football field.

BICYCLE PATROL

The Bike Patrol began in Upper Arlington in 1994. It was designed to provide a more personal response to the needs of the residents and to supply patrol activity in congested areas such as shopping centers and parks.

The benefits of Bike Patrol are numerous. Bike Patrol provides officers the opportunity to utilize their talents in Community Oriented Policing techniques and assist in setting an example for residents as safe cyclists using equipment properly. The Bike Patrol also allows officers to patrol areas heavily congested with pedestrians, such as shopping centers, festivals, and parade routes.

UNDER-SPEED/GOLF CART VEHICLES

Effective July 1, 2019, Ordinance 41-2019 authorizes residents to use code-compliant, under-speed/golf cart vehicles year-round, and exempts non-compliant golf carts for a total of five days over the Fourth of July holiday. The ordinance includes some requirements beyond those set forth by Ohio Revised Code 4511.215, to address some specific concerns of Council—such as limiting their use to streets with speed limits of 25 mph or less and requiring seatbelts.

Legislation Overview

Under-Speed Vehicle (USV) Use Requirements	Year-Round	Fourth of July Golf Cart Rental Exemption Period (2 days before–2 days after)
USVs can only be operated on streets with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less (the crossing of higher-speed streets at intersections is permitted). NOTE: Upper Arlington’s speed requirement is less than State code.	Required	Required
The owner of the USV must have it inspected and approved for use on public streets by an authorized law enforcement agency (be sure to inform them of UA’s additional seatbelt requirement)	Required	Not required
USVs should comply with all Ohio Department of Public Safety requirements, and must include the following equipment: Adequate brakes and braking system Working brake lights Warning/turn signals Headlights and tail lights Property working steering mechanism Windshield Rear view mirror Appropriate tires for street use	Required	Encouraged
Seatbelts are an additional requirement and must be located at each designated seating position.	Required	Encouraged
Title and registration must be in compliance with Ohio Revised Code.	Required	Not required
USVs must be operated within the State and Upper Arlington vehicular laws.	Required	Required

Under-speed vehicles, including golf carts, are defined as three- or four-wheeled vehicles weighing under 3,000 pounds, that cannot exceed a speed of 20 mph.

Examples of safety/traffic violations that will be acted upon by Police Officers over the Fourth of July exemption period include, but are not limited to:

Driving without a valid driver’s license or while under suspension
Vehicular assault
Reckless operation
Traffic code violations that result in an accident
Failure to obey traffic control devices
Driving while under the influence
Hanging outside the vehicle
Violations of child restraint laws
Underage drivers

The Upper Arlington Police Division can perform these vehicle inspections. Please call the Police Desk, at 614-583-5160, during regular office hours before bringing your vehicle to the Police Station, in order to ensure that an officer will be available. Should you have your vehicle inspected by another agency with the intent to use it in UA, you must have safety belts included in your inspection, per City of Upper Arlington ordinance (not all agencies will perform these inspections).

With greater clarity on the laws and expectations for golf carts and other under-speed vehicles for the community—both year-round and over the Fourth of July holiday—we hope the community can enjoy the benefits of this alternate mode of transportation in a safe and responsible way.

If you have any questions about this legislation or see an under-speed vehicle in our community that is clearly in violation of the requirements, please contact our Police Division by completing the form below, or by calling 614-583-5410.

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS

City legislation requires convicted sexual offenders to register with the City’s Police Division if they live and/or work within the City’s boundaries. It also prohibits convicted sexual offenders from living or working within 1,000 feet of any school premises, licensed daycare facility, preschool, public park/swimming pool, library, or playground.

While these laws are designed to help protect families, parents should continue to be aware of and take proactive steps to protect their children from such dangers. The Police Division offers various educational seminars on stranger danger, Internet Predators and other relevant topics, and can direct you to useful resources and Web sites.

Resident Notification
In addition to the notification requirements within the Ohio Revised Code, residents will be notified by the Police Division within five business days of learning that a convicted Tier III sexual offender resides or works within 1,000 feet of your residence. Such notification will be via hand carried notification, mailing or electronically. In most circumstances, this notification will be via US Mail.

Requirements for Convicted Sexual Offenders
Residence and Employment Restrictions

An offender may not establish a residence or occupy residential premises or be employed within one thousand (1,000) feet of any school premises, licensed daycare facility, preschool, any public park, swimming pool, library, or playground. A private residential pool does not apply.

Registration Requirement

An offender must register personally with the Upper Arlington Police Chief within five days of coming into the City.
If the offender is domiciled, whether permanently or temporarily for more than three consecutive days, the offender must register.
If the offender is employed, whether permanently or temporarily for more than three consecutive days or for an aggregate period of 14 or more days in a calendar year, the offender must register.

Failure to register is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Definitions
Offender Types

Sexual Predator: A person convicted of, or who has pleaded guilty to, committing a Sexually Oriented Offense and who is likely in the future to commit additional Sexually Oriented Offenses. Sexual Predators are subject to registration/verification requirements (at 90 day intervals) for life unless a judge modifies or terminates the Sexual Predator designation.
Child Victim Predator: A person convicted of, or who has pleaded guilty to, committing a Sexually Oriented Offense on a person under 18 years of age, not the child of the person committing the offense, and who is likely in the future to commit additional Sexually Oriented Offenses. Child Victim Predators are subject to registration/verification requirements (90 day intervals) for life unless a judge modifies or terminates the Child Victim Predator designation.
Habitual Sex Offender: A person convicted of, or who has pleaded guilty to committing a Sexually Oriented Offense, and who previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more Sexually Oriented Offenses. Habitual Sex Offenders are subject to registration/verification requirements annually for a period of 20 years after release.
Habitual Child Victim Offender: A person convicted of, or who has pleaded guilty to committing a Sexually Oriented Offense, on a person, under 18 years of age, not the child of the person, and who previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more Sexually Oriented Offenses. Habitual Child Victim Offenders are subject to registration/ verification requirements annually for a period of 20 years after release.
Sexually Oriented Offender: A person convicted of, or pleaded guilty to committing a Sexually Oriented Offense, but who has not been designated as a Sexual Predator or Habitual Sex Offender. Sexually Oriented Offenders are subject to the registration/verification requirements annually for a period of 10 years after release.

Registered Offenders in Upper Arlington

These offenders have currently complied with all applicable notification requirements. For more information on these offenders you can access the Franklin County Sheriff sexual offender registry.