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Private Lot Abatement Program (PLAP)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Lot Abatement Program (PLAP)

 

What is PLAP?

The Private Lot Abatement Program (PLAP) is a critical part of the City of Cincinnati’s effort to keep neighborhoods clean, safe, and healthy. This program focuses on code enforcement related to tall grass, litter, graffiti, and other nuisances on private property.

PLAP addresses common complaints such as:

  • Overgrown grass and weeds on private property
  • Litter and illegal dumping on private property
  • Graffiti on private property
  • Improper trash setouts on private property

 

When private property owners fail to maintain their property after being cited, PLAP works with private contractors to clean up the property to help protect the neighborhood’s health and appearance.

Please note: PLAP only addresses issues on private property. Issues on public property (such as City-owned lots, streets, and parks) are handled by the Department of Public Services and other City departments.

 

 

 

How PLAP Works

 

PLAP’s process is driven by citizen complaints and proactive inspections.

 

Here’s how it works:

  1. Complaint or Inspection Initiated
    A citizen complaint is received through Cincy 311, or a City inspector identifies a violation. No warning is issued.
  2. Inspection
    A PLAP Inspector responds within 1 to 3 business days to investigate.
  3. Citation Issued
    If a violation exists (tall grass, litter, graffiti, etc.), a civil citation is issued to the property owner.
    • Grass is considered citable if it grows above 10 inches (if it is a first offense).
  4. Re-Inspection & Abatement Process
    • For litter and tall grass violations, the property is re-inspected within 7-10 business days.
    • If the issue is not resolved, a second citation is issued, and the property is referred to the Abatement Program, where a City-hired contractor cleans up the property.
    • The total cost for the abatement services provided by the City will be invoiced to the property owner and if not paid in a timely manner may be assigned to collections or an assessment in the form of a tax lien against the property.
  5. Abandoned Property Program
    • Properties that have been issued a second citation are now considered abandoned and will be subject to a continual 30 business-day inspection until the owner complies with the violation requirements. Property inspectors must observe three consecutive clean inspections to be removed from the Abandoned Property program.
    • Height restrictions for properties in the Abandoned Property Program are reduced from 10 inches to 6 inches for compliance.
  6. Trash Set-Out Violations
    These violations can result in daily citations until corrected.
  7. What To If You Receive A Citation
 

 

 

If you receive a civil citation from PLAP, take these steps:

 

  • Fix the problem immediately and contact the inspector to confirm the violation is corrected. 
  • If you disagree with the citation, you can request a hearing.
  • You may be eligible for a “Cure Credit” if you correct the violation promptly.
  • Pay any fines on time to avoid additional penalties — late payments double.
  • Prevent future violations by keeping your property clean and maintained.

If you believe you are a victim of third-party littering (when someone else illegally dumps on your property), you can apply for litter amnesty and submit a litter prevention plan to the City and follow it to help avoid future citations.

 

 

How to Report Tall Grass, Litter, and Graffiti

 

If you notice tall grass, litter, or graffiti on private property, you can report it to the City through:

  • Phone:  311 or 513-752-1212
  • Web: Cincy 311 at 311
  • Mobile: The 311Cincy! App

PLAP handles these complaints when they involve privately-owned properties (including vacant lots). Complaints regarding City-owned property will be referred to the Department of Public Services.