Get Quotes from Top Contractors in Cleveland, OH

How to Verify a Professional's License in Cleveland?

Over 200 bureaus, commissions, boards, and departments issue licenses to eligible professionals in Cleveland, and individuals that wish to offer their services to residents of the city must first obtain an appropriate license from the relevant licensing authority. The responsibility of verifying the authenti a professional's license before retaining them for work lies primarily with Clevelanders and the importance of hiring a duly licensed to handle a task or project for you cannot be overstated. You can verify the authenti the licenses of professionals in the city online by using the eLicense Ohio Professional Licensure System.

Additionally, the Department of Building and Housing of Cleveland is responsible for the issuance of permits that are required for certain construction work in the city. Examples of work requiring permits include demolition, painting, plumbing, and electrical work on both commercial and residential buildings. You can access a list of permit guides online to get information on the types of work that require permits in Cleveland. You can also contact the Department of Building and Housing at (216) 664-2282 for additional information.

Do Cleveland Neighborhood Councils
Issue Permits?

Neighborhood communities, associations, councils, and groups in Cleveland do not issue permits. These organizations are created by members of the community to enhance the general quality of life of people living in the community. They focus on areas such as community development, representation of the interests of the residents with the government, and providing supportive services. In many cases, the city's Community Department helps to facilitate the activities of these different neighborhood organizations.

It was reported in August 2021 that leaders of the Clark-Fulton Neighborhood, one of the 35 neighborhoods in Cleveland, were in support of the groundbreaking and construction of a new park to be built with a grant of $600,00 in the neighborhood. In contrast, residents of Edgewater Neighborhood visibly disagreed with the proposed widening of sidewalks for bikers and pedestrians by the Cleveland Metroparks, leading to city officials collecting feedback from these residents on how to best move on with the project.

How to File an Unfair Business
Complaint in Cleveland?

Residents of Cleveland can contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs to file complaints concerning deceptive business practices and unfair sales in the city. You can file a complaint with the division by phone via (216) 443-7035 or via an online complaint form. If you prefer to file by mail, you can download a printable complaint form and send the completed form to :

• Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs
• 2079 East Ninth
• 2nd Floor
• Cleveland, OH 44115

When the Department of Consumer Affairs receives a complaint and any attached documents, it is forwarded to the appropriate division for an investigator to review and decide on the action to take. This action may include reaching out to the affected business to mediate a solution or referring the complaint to a more appropriate agency. Where a resolution can not be reached between the parties involved and the complainant wants restitution, the complainant can file a civil action at the Cleveland Municipal Court located at:

• Level Two - Court Tower
• 1200 Ontario Street
• Cleveland, OH 44113

The Cleveland Municipal Court handles misdemeanor violations, preliminary hearings on felony cases, and civil matters such as small claims cases. Small claims cases in Cleveland are civil cases where the amount or value of the property being contested in court does not exceed $6,000. Complainants who decide to use the services of the small claims courts may also need the services of a lawyer for advice on how to proceed. This is because the Department of Consumer Affairs does not give legal advice nor does it intervene in civil cases filed against businesses.