On Oct. 27, 2025 the Shaker Heights City Council passed an ordinance (No. 25‑79 on third reading) that amends multiple sections of the city’s codes to update requirements for landscaping on private property and to regulate the use of tree lawns in the public right of way.

Law Director presented council with the history of the proposal and said the ordinance was the product of a multi‑departmental effort and had been reviewed by Safety & Public Works, the Tree Advisory Board and the Sustainability Committee. "We've taken into account a lot of the proposals and suggestions from council and the public in coming up with this latest draft and proposed ordinance," the Law Director said.

What the ordinance does

The ordinance revises several sections across the Shaker Heights codified ordinances, including amendments to: existing sections 153.03; enacting new sections 155.07 and 155.08; amending general offenses code sections 747.01, 747.02, 747.03, 747.04 and 747.07; amending traffic-code section 1111.02; building-code sections 1319.03 and 1319.08; and housing-code sections 14.1201, 14.1202 and 14.1203. The stated aim is to update requirements for landscaping on private property and the use and maintenance of tree lawns in the right of way.

Implementation and enforcement

Officials said the ordinance will apply to private properties — residential and commercial — and that the city will set separate standards for city-owned properties and parks. Public‑works staff and the building and housing director participated in the drafting process and will be involved in public outreach and enforcement. The Law Director said the communications and marketing department has prepared a webpage with links to meetings, handouts and recordings and that the administration will add educational resources to support implementation.

Council concerns and public programs

Council members and committee chairs commended the multi‑committee review. Council Member Moore spoke in support of recognizing the Grow Not Mow sites and asked for clarity that those projects — intended as managed woodlands or meadows — are intentionally different from typical residential front‑yard plantings. "...we don't mow woodlands, the undergrowth by grass. That's why it's called Grow Not Mow," she said, urging communications that explain the distinction.

Other council members emphasized that enforcement will need to feel fair and consistent across neighborhoods and public properties. Director Gruber (Public Works) clarified that the ordinance covers private property, commercial property, city-owned property and other public entities but that different property types will have different standards.

Vote

Council approved the ordinance on third reading by roll call vote; the clerk recorded unanimous approval.

What happens next

The administration will post final materials and public resources, and public‑works staff will develop an enforcement plan to accompany the ordinance’s implementation. Council members said some fine‑tuning of the ordinance may occur during the first year of enforcement.