For a poorly draining ditch or another Tallmadge stormwater concern, contact the Street Department at 330-633-5130. The City’s FAQ and stormwater page give that route. Reporting a problem does not authorize enclosing a ditch or connecting a new pipe.
Which question are you asking?
| Your situation | City instruction and next question |
|---|---|
| Existing ditch is not draining | Request investigation through the Street Department; describe the location and visible condition |
| You want to enclose a ditch | Seek City approval before arranging the enclosure; ask which approved scope and permit conditions apply |
| You want to tie into the storm sewer | Follow the separate connection procedure, including inspection before work and before backfill |
The distinction matters even when all three questions concern the same frontage. A maintenance response is not an approval for a proposed alteration. Street Department FAQ answers.
Make a useful maintenance report
From a safe location, note the nearest address or intersection, which side of the road is affected, when water collects and whether the problem appears near a driveway pipe. Describe visible debris or damage without declaring the cause. Do not enter a culvert, moving water or traffic to take measurements.
An optional LSL report sentence is: “Water remains [location] after [observed event/time]; I can see [condition] near [landmark].” Add a prior request number if this is recurring.
The stormwater program includes right-of-way ditch maintenance, catch-basin repair and replacement of deteriorated driveway culverts. That service description does not prove who owns every ditch, pipe or easement. Ask which segment the City investigated and what follow-up it recommends.
New enclosure and connection work carry separate conditions
For ditch enclosure, the current FAQ requires City approval and assigns installation, materials and landscaping to the homeowner. It lists a $50 permit and $500 bond, registered contractors for right-of-way work, and pre-inspection/final-inspection requirements tied to bond release.
For a storm-sewer tie-in, it lists the same permit and bond amounts but specifies inspection before work and before backfilling. Keep those hold points distinct. The $500 bond is not presented here as an additional permanent service charge or a promise of automatic refund. Enclosure and tie-in answers.
Give the City your proposed work description before budgeting or scheduling. An existing culvert-replacement request is not automatically a new ditch enclosure; ask which process governs instead of purchasing materials from a general checklist.
LSL compared current municipal instructions on September 13, 2026. No site inspection, ownership determination, permit application or service response was obtained. These are published program distinctions, not permission to excavate a particular property.