Frequently Asked Questions

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The Stow Fire Department has Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on duty. Please contact Mel Gammell by email or call 330-689-3292 to schedule an appointment.

Absolutely! The Stow Fire Department has a Youth Firesetter Prevention & Intervention Program aimed to educate children under the age of 18. The program’s intention is to help children who engage in firesetting behavior or interest. Please contact our Fire & Life Safety Educator, Mel Gammell by email or call 330-689-3292.

Call our EMS Billing secretary at 330-689-3287 to check the status of your bill.

The Stow Fire Department works with The American Red Cross to provide FREE smoke alarms to residents through the Sound the Alarm program. You can find more information at the Red Cross Sound the Alarm page or email Mel Gammell or call 330-689-3292.

Stow Fire Department does not accept fire extinguishers for disposal.

Recycle the extinguisher if the canister is empty. If an extinguisher is empty, you can simply throw them out with your recycling trash since they no longer contain hazardous materials. You may want to still check with your local recycling company about the best way to recycle the canister.

You can take the extinguisher to the hazardous waste disposal facility located at 1201 Graham Road Stow, OH on Thursdays from 2 to 7 pm. Ask about hazard types and any restrictions before you go.

Call 330-689-3287 to request a copy. Copies of EMS records are protected by HIPAA and may require additional documentation with the request.

The Fire Department does not accept either; however, the Police Department has a medication disposal box in the lobby of the Safety Building which is open 24/7. If you have a small number of needles or syringes, they can be placed inside a coffee can and wrapped with packaging/duct tape, and placed in your regular residential trash. Always check with your trash company before disposing of needles or syringes.

Yes. The Stow Fire Department offers this free service to all residents. Feel free to stop by the station and, as long as the personnel are not out on an emergency call, they can assist you.

• Stow Income Tax Ordinance Chapter 194 requires any individual 18 years or older whose permanent residence is in the City of Stow for any portion of the tax year to file a tax return with the City of Stow on April 15th (or IRS due date) of each applicable year. This is a requirement even is no tax is due. Exemptions apply if ALL income is non-taxable.
• Nonresidents who worked or earned income in the City of Stow and did NOT have 2% of their earnings withheld for the time they worked in Stow must also file an annual return. This includes any person or entity who operated a business or owned rental property within Stow.

• Stow's income tax is 2%.

• Income that is taxable at the local level includes (but is not limited to):
  • W-2 - Wage and Tax Statement
  • 1099-NEC - Nonemployee Compensation
  • 1099-MISC - Miscellaneous Income
  • Schedule C - Profit or Loss from Business
  • Schedule E - Supplemental Income and Loss
  • Schedule K-1 - Partner's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.
  • W-2G - Certain Gambling Winnings
  • Form 4797 - Sales of Business Property

• Income that is NOT taxable at the local level includes (but is not limited to):
  • 1099-DIV - Dividends and Distributions
  • 1099-INT - Interest Income
  • 1099-R - Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.
  • SSA-1099 - Social Security Income
  • 1099-G - Certain Government Payments
  • Alimony Income
  • Gifts
  • Inheritances
  • Scholarships

• Individual returns are generally due April 15th of the following year or the IRS due date. If you are looking to extend your due date, please submit our Extension Request Form by the tax return due date or attach a copy of your Federal Extension (Form 4686) with your Stow Income Tax Return.
• Business returns are generally due by the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the end of the taxpayers taxable year or period. If you are looking to extend your due date, please submit our Extension Request Form by the tax return due date or attach a copy of your Federal Extension (Form 7004) with your Stow return.

• Stow gives 100% credit for taxes paid to another municipality up to 2%. Here are three scenarios:
  • You work in a municipality with a tax rate lower than 2%. You will owe the City of Stow on the difference between the amount withheld from your pay and our tax rate of 2%. For example, you work in a municipality with a tax rate of 1.5%. You would get credit for the 1.5% of tax you have already paid to another municipality, but would owe Stow on the additional 0.5% to get to our 2% tax rate.
  • You work in a municipality with a 2% tax rate. You get credit for the 2% of tax paid to another municipality and do not owe Stow any additional taxes.
  • You work in a municipality with a tax rate higher than 2%. You would get credit for up to 2% of the tax paid to another municipality and do not owe Stow any additional taxes. Since these funds rightfully go to your working city, you are not entitled to a refund of any tax over the 2% owed to Stow.

• If you're not sure if your address falls under Stow jurisdiction, use The Finder to lookup tax rate by address.

• There are two types of bills you can receive from our office:
  • Balance Due Bill – This is a bill indicating tax due from past years. These go out monthly until the remaining balance due has been paid in full.
  • Quarterly Estimate Bill - This is a bill estimating how much tax you owe in the current tax year based on your prior year's return OR a declaration of estimated tax. These go out quarterly.

• Stow Income Tax Ordinance Section 194.07 requires taxpayers to make quarterly estimated payments for the current tax year if expected to owe $200.00 or more when filing their tax return. If you typically owe less than $200.00 in taxes to the City of Stow, this does not apply to you. 
• Quarterly payments must be at least 90% of the current year tax liability to avoid penalty and interest charges. If a taxpayer is unable to estimate tax due for the current year, use 100% of tax due to Stow from the previous year. Penalty and interest charges are charged to the account at the time the annual return is filed. 
• Payment due dates are April 15th, June 15th, and September 15th of the current tax year and January 15th of the following tax year.

• Yes, individuals can make a payment online in our E-File Site. Log in to your account with your Social Security Number and self-created PIN.

• If you have ever received any correspondence from us, you are registered. You can try to log in to our E-File Site to see if you're registered with our office. If you try to log in with your credentials and can't successfully get in, either complete an Individual Registration Form, or call our office so we can get all the necessary identifying information.

• No, third party software like TurboTax will not submit a Stow Income Tax Return. The only way to E-File a return with us is through our portal.

• Please submit a Business Registration Form to our office so we can get all the necessary identifying information.

• The business's account number with the City of Stow is the same as the FEIN provided on the registration.

There is no detectable lead in the treated water that leaves the City of Akron Water Treatment Plant and is brought into the City of Stow through its two pumping stations. There is also no lead in the water delivered to your home through the distribution system. The City of Akron has had a comprehensive corrosion control program as part of its treatment process for over thirty years. The special corrosion inhibitor used, zinc orthophosphate is continuously added to treated water. This inhibitor makes the water less corrosive and creates a coating inside the pipes. This serves as a barrier between the two and prevents conditions that can cause lead to leach into the water.

Beginning in the early 1950s, the use of lead in water service lines was abandoned in favor of using copper pipes. The City of Stow water system, from the mid-1950s until the late 1970s, was under the ownership/control of the City of Akron. From the late 1970s until late 2001, the system was under the ownership/control of Summit County. The City of Stow purchased and took control of the system in November of 2001. Throughout its existence, all available records indicate no use of lead in any service piping installed in the system. For more information, click here.

For a map view the Map Water Service (PDF).

Automated Clearing House (ACH) is a free and easy program that automatically withdraws your water bill payment from your bank account every month. All you need to do is complete an ACH Authorization Form (PDF) and return it to the following address:

Water Billing Department
3760 Darrow Road
Stow, OH, 44224

You will need to review the message section of your bill. On the month that the ACH is being tested, a message will be on your bill noting “This is a test, please pay”. On the month that your ACH payment will be withdrawn from your account, your bill will note the following: “This bill is for your records only, do not pay”.

• Phone: Call our office at 330-689-2889 and we can send you an ACH application either through the mail or via email.
• Email: You can email water billing your service address and account number which is located on your water bill, and we can send you an application via email.
• Print Form: View the ACH Authorization Form (PDF).

You can then print it out and mail it back to our office at:

City of Stow Water Billing
3760 Darrow Road
Stow, OH 44224

A Code is a collection of requirements that pertain to a specific subject, to regulate specific practices. A Building Code is a collection of requirements (such as exit signs and smoke detectors) that pertain to specific subjects (such as exiting and fire protection systems) and regulate specific practices (such as designing, constructing, or remodeling a building.

No matter what the specific subject may be - construction property maintenance, fire prevention, electrical, or plumbing - all codes have the same purpose:

To protect public health, safety, and welfare by requiring safe construction.

• Codes are adopted as laws or ordinances by Governments such as states, counties, townships, and cities. Once a jurisdiction adopts a code as law, the jurisdiction must enforce that law.
• Codes become part of the permit and inspection processes. Once a code has become law, Code Officials and Inspectors from the jurisdiction need the code to help their enforcement of the law. Inspections made during construction verify that code compliance has been achieved. Inspections are made during construction to verify electrical, sanitation, structural, fire, and life safety.
• Codes provide standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of homes and businesses.
• Codes are used by architects, contractors, builders, and materials manufacturers to ensure safety, economy, and consistency of construction. You, as a homeowner or business owner, have a substantial investment that can be seriously jeopardized through code violations.

• Codes are adopted as laws or ordinances by Governments such as states, counties, townships, and cities. Once a jurisdiction adopts a code as law, the jurisdiction must enforce that law.
• Codes become part of the permit and inspection processes. Once a code has become law, Code Officials and Inspectors from the jurisdiction need the code to help their enforcement of the law. Inspections made during construction verify that code compliance has been achieved. Inspections are made during construction to verify electrical, sanitation, structural, fire, and life safety.
• Codes provide standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of homes and businesses.
• Codes are used by architects, contractors, builders, and materials manufacturers to ensure safety, economy, and consistency of construction. You, as a homeowner or business owner, have a substantial investment that can be seriously jeopardized through code violations.

Homeowners / Tenant Residents

No deposit is required. You may sign up in person at the Utility Billing Office in City Hall, call the office at 330-689-2889.

Information Required

• Billing Name
• Property Address
• Billing Address
• Daytime Telephone Number
• Effective Date (must be a non-holiday; no weekend).

If you are a new owner, after setting up your account, we will follow up by mailing you a Homeowner Application. This information enables us to confirm the account data on file.

If you plan to move, you will need to call our office with a final effective date or use the Water Final Read Form. Final billing is then mailed.

On the upper left-hand side of our billing statement, you will find a box marked code. When you receive your bill, the codes may be listed as follows

• ACT: Actual Rea
• EST: Estimated Read
• CRD: Customer Read
• P: Post Card Read

For options regarding paying your water bill, please view the Online Payments and E-Billing Information page.

This fee is used to generate revenue for numerous City-wide improvements to the Stow Water System. Projects will include the replacement of water lines, expanding the system, and renovating facilities associated with the Water System.

The City of Stow does not provide or maintain your sewer needs. You may contact the Department of Environmental Services at 330-926-2400 with your sewer question. We send our reads to this agency on a monthly basis; however, they bill customers on a quarterly basis.

Virtually all new construction, including fences, sheds, pools, decks and additions require a zoning permit.  Building permits are also required for a majority of projects.  The following table is a guide for which permits are required for more common projects:

You can easily find your property’s zoning classification by visiting the Interactive Zoning Map   Simply search by address or parcel number or click and drag the map to your property.   If you are unable to determine the zoning from the maps, you can call the Planning Department with the address or location and they will assist you.

Building Permits are required for the following:

• New Buildings
• Electrical Systems
• Additions
• Plumbing Systems
• Renovations
• HVAC Systems
• Demolitions
• Temporary Buildings
• Prefabricated Structures
• Mobile Homes
• Miscellaneous for Residential (fireplace, pools, decks, fences, etc.).
• Miscellaneous for Commercial (parking, health, food handling, etc.

1. Fences may be installed up to 6 feet in height up to the property line when located behind the front line of the house.
2. Please verify any easements on the property.  Some easements may require certain fence requirements for access.  You may contact the Engineering Department to confirm any easements.
3. In front yards (anywhere between the front of the house and street), fences may not exceed 4 feet in height.  If within 20 feet of the right-of-way, fences must be able to be see-through.
4. Refer to the diagrams below: Fence Regulations

The setbacks (distances from property lines) vary depending on the zoning district and what type of structure is being built, i.e. commercial building, house, shed, pool, etc.  Please refer to the general requirement tables below for a summary of the regulations.   However, there may be other extenuating circumstances that determine setbacks.  It’s always recommended to contact the Department to discuss your project and determine regulations.

General Residential Building Requirements

The property owner is responsible for knowing the location (s) of their property lines.  If the property lines cannot be located, the property owner will need to hire a licensed surveyor to locate the property pins which delineate property boundaries.

All permit applications are available online.  Once submitted, you will be able to track the review status, submit fee payments, print the permit, and communicate with the plan reviewer in real time.

Online Permit Applications

Yes.  Even a simple metal frame carport requires a zoning permit.  They are treated as accessory buildings and subject to the same regulations in general requirement tables below.

1. If you are replacing the curb apron (part that connects to the street), then YES a right-of-way permit from the Engineering Department is required.
2. If adding on to an existing driveway on your property, then NO. However, you may need to obtain a property survey to ensure that the driveway is completely within your property.

Yes. All businesses need to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Department prior to opening.  We welcome your business to Stow, and it is essential that we maintain an accurate record of our businesses.  Another benefit of this process is that, in case of an emergency, the City’s safety personnel can be better prepared knowing the business use and any storage activities.

Yes – a permit is required for both.  There are new regulations for setback requirements and maintenance that can be found below: 

• Bee Keeping Regulations
• Chicken Coop Regulations

A home occupation permit is required if customers or employees visit the home as part of the business.  Find more information here: Home Occupation Regulations

• A permit is required for a temporary sign
• The allowed length of time and size depends on the type of sign.  Contact the department for more information.

• Tall grass is considered to be a public nuisance if in excess of 8 inches in height.

• Junk and debris, unusable building materials, scrap metals, and rubbish are required to be stored in a building which obstructs it from public view or removed from the property.

• If located in the front yard, vehicles, trailers, RV’s, boats, etc. are required to be parked on a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete

• What is a junk vehicle?  They are inoperable vehicles that are unfit for further use.  They may have flat tires, missing tires, stored on jacks, or other obvious signs that the vehicle is in disrepair.
• Junk vehicles are required to be stored in a building which obstructs them from public view.

• Many projects require a permit.  Please contact the City for any questions on the requirements that apply to your property.

• Boats, RV’s, trailers, campers, etc. may be parked in grass if located in the side or rear yard.  If parked in the front yard, they are required to be on a hard surface no closer than 20 feet from the right-of-way.

No. The AMP is programmed and coordinated exclusively by the City of Stow and is not available for private rentals, except for approved City partners.

No. Some events, such as portions of the Summer Concert Series, may require tickets. Many community events are free and open to the public. Please check the specific event listing for details.

It depends on the event.

• Some ticketed events may restrict outside food and beverages.
• Many community events may allow them.

Always review the event-specific guidelines before attending.

Alcohol policies vary by event.

• Certain events may include permitted alcohol sales.
• Outside alcohol is not permitted unless specifically stated in the event guidelines.

Chairs are typically welcome unless otherwise noted.

Tents, large umbrellas, and pop-up shade structures may be restricted depending on the event. Please check event details prior to arrival.

Pet policies vary by event. Service animals are always permitted in accordance with applicable laws.

Guests are expected to act respectfully. Disruptive or unsafe behavior may result in removal from the venue and possible restriction from future events.

No. Signage, banners, or décor may not be attached to any AMP structure. Ground stakes are not permitted without prior written approval due to underground utilities.