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Frequently asked Questions:

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1. How does the city handle zone changes?

• A zone change on a property is a change in what the property can be used for. It can be initiated either by the property owner or the city.
a. If initiated by the property owner, the City Charter dictates that the request is first submitted to City Council, and Council will refer it to Planning Commission, which must make a decision within 45 days.
b. If initiated by Council or Planning Commission, there is no time limit for the decision to be made.
• The next step is for Planning Commission to hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to Council.
a. For the public hearing, a legal ad is placed in the Enquirer, a listserve is sent, the meeting notice is posted on the website and placed on the door of the city building, and when Charter dictates, notices are mailed to residents within 200 ft. of the property.
b. At the Planning Commission public hearing, a presentation is given to the public with all the information about the proposed zone change. Anyone may speak and voice their objections or support during the Public Hearing.
c. After the Chairman closes the public hearing, the Planning Commission discusses all the information, including comments from the public, then makes their decision. If they feel they need more time they may table the decision, (within the 45 days).
• After Planning Commission makes their recommendation to Council, Council will review it, generally at a regularly scheduled meeting, as a “First Reading”.
a. Council may discuss it in a Law and Safety Committee meeting, which is a public meeting, before or after the “First Reading”.
b. Council will hold a public hearing, which is considered to be the “Second Reading”. The same notification process as above is followed: a legal ad is placed in the Enquirer, a listserve is sent, the meeting notice is posted on the website and placed on the door of the city building, and when Charter dictates, notices are mailed to residents within 200 ft. of the property. Council will take public comments and discuss the application.
c. Council will hold a “Third Reading” before a decision is made. Council does not have a time limit to make the decision, and may approve the proposal with modifications.
d. If Council agrees with Planning Commission’s decision, they need four (4) votes to affirm it. If Council overturns Planning Commission’s decision, they need five (5) votes. Otherwise they can approve or deny with four (4) votes.
e. If Council denies it, no further action is required. If a property owner wants to pursue it, she or he may either start over with a substantially different proposal; or appeal to Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.
f. If Council approves it, it becomes effective after 45 days.
g. If the residents are against Council’s decision, they may circulate petitions to bring it to vote at the next election.

2. What is the city’s zoning code?

A city’s zoning code is a legal document, that regulates dimensional requirements (e.g. setbacks, height, lot coverage), how the property can be used, and sometimes even the aesthetic appearance of the property. Zoning divides the city into various land use zones typically: residential, retail or commercial, office, industrial, parks or recreation, etc. Zoning is what protects low density residential areas from the impacts of other land uses such as retail or industrial uses, and conversely provides land for retail and industrial uses to serve the residents and generate jobs and taxes. The zoning code consists of a map and the written text.

Madeira also has a land use plan that provides a more general idea of what the citizens want for their city. The land use plan does not have the force of law but should guide the city in making zoning decisions. If a zoning case winds up in a courtroom, the land use plan should provide the rationality for the zoning. From time to time a city should update its land use plan and concurrently review the zoning.

3. What is a variance?

If a property owner wishes to make modifications to his or her property and the modifications will result in non-compliance with the zoning code, or if the property is already not in compliance (non-conforming), the property owner can appeal to the Planning Commission. Application must be made to staff who prepares it for the Planning Commission Public Hearing by placing a legal ad in the Enquirer, listserving it, sending it to surrounding property owners and posting it on the door and the website. Variance requests are typically dimensional items like oversized signs, decks, porches, additions, accessory structures, or other physical structures that don’t meet the setback. If a property owner wishes to appeal the decision, he or she must appeal to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. Council does not review variances.

It is important to note that the city charter states in Article VII, § 4: “The planning commission shall not grant a variance in any case in which the deviation from the existing zoning ordinance is so substantial that it is the equivalent of a change in the zoning district.” If the variance is the equivalent of a change in the zoning, it must go through the zone change process as described above.

4. How do I get information about the tax abatement on Euclid Avenue (CRA)?

See website link below.

Fact Sheet

RES 04-10 Euclid Ave CRA

Euclid Avenue Community Reinvestment Area Overview

5. How do I find out about upcoming city meetings and events?

Sign up for the e-news email from the website home page, or click on the link below-
City Calendar

6. What about Madeira History?

Use the following link to learn more about the history of Madeira About Madeira

7. Where do I get a building permit?

All building permits are processed with the City of Madeira. If you need to get an electrical permit, you would contact IBI. If you need to get a plumbing/health permit, you would contact the Hamilton County Health Department. If you need to get a water tap, you would contact either Indian Hill water or Cincinnati Water Works. If you need to get a sewer tap, you would contact Metropolitan Sewer District.

8. How does the garbage program work?

Garbage pick-up is free to all Madeira residents. This entitles everyone to one 35 gallon container for combined household and yard waste each week. There is no limit amount for recyclables materials. More...

9. When is my garbage pickup day?

Garbage pickup for the City of Madeira is on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday depending on what portion of the city you live within. Please see the City Government/Solid Waste portion of the website for the specific day.

10. Tell me about city services?

Use the following link to learn more about what Madeira has to offer. -City Services

11. Does the City of Madeira have a leaf pick-up program?

Yes. The City of Madeira does have a leaf pick-up program. It generally runs from October to December of each year. All that we ask is that you rake your leaves to the curb (not in the street) and our Public Works Departmet will be around to pick them up. We do send a newsletter out each year that publishes what weeks we will be in each area of town.

12. Does the City of Madeira have a brush and limb pickup program?

Yes. The City of Madeira has a brush and limb pickup program that lasts about two weeks in spring of each year. All that we ask is that you put your brush and limbs at the curb at 7:00 AM the day the program starts. The Public Works Department will be around to pick them up within that two week period.

13. To whom do I pay my water bill?

If you live on the west side of Hosbrook, then you have Cincinnati water. Cincinnat Water Works
If you live on the east side of Hosbrook, then you have Indian Hill water.Indian Hill Water

14. To whom do I pay my electric bill?

The electric company in the City of Madeira is Duke Energy. Click here for Duke's website

15. What school district is my house in?

Most all of the houses in the City limits of Madeira are located in the Madeira City School District and also some in Indian Hill School District. There are a few streets that are located within the Cincinnati School District. Go to the Hamilton County website at http://www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org and enter the address under property search.