Environmental Health Complaint Intake & Dashboard

Complaint Type Definitions and System Usage Overview

This document defines all Complaint Types and Complaint Outcomes used in the Environmental Health Complaints Dashboard.
Residents can now report environmental nuisances through dialing 3-1-1 or by filling out a 311 service request online.

Note: As of 1/1/2025, High Grass/Weeds service requests are processed by the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing. High Grass/Weeds complaints submitted to CDPH directly may still be shown on this dashboard, but will be referred out to the appropriate department.

1) Accumulation of Garbage

  • Excessive garbage, trash, or refuse stored improperly.
  • Includes illegal dumping or overflowing bins.
  • Often leads to odors, pests, or public health concerns.

2) Animal Nuisance

  • Includes noise (barking), odors, waste, or loose animals.
  • Applicable to both domestic and exotic species.

3) Farm Animals

  • Raising chickens, goats, or livestock in non-zoned areas.
  • Includes sanitation, housing, and waste management violations.
  • Sub-Types:
    • Chickens, Ducks, Rabbits
    • Goats or Livestock
    • Honeybees
    • Unapproved Location for Farm Animals

4) Food Complaints

  • Issues involving restaurants, grocery stores, or food trucks.
  • Examples: food poisoning, spoiled food, contamination.
  • Sub-Types:
    • Employee Hygiene Illness
    • Food Contamination
    • Foodborne Illness
    • Illegal Food Operation
    • Restaurant/Store Conditions
    • Unlicensed Operation

5) Health Condition

  • General indoor or outdoor conditions impacting public health.
  • May involve hoarding, unsafe structures, or exposure hazards.

6) High Grass/Weeds

  • Overgrown grass or vegetation exceeding local height limits.
  • Fire hazard, pest harborage, or community nuisance.

7) Insect/Vermin Infestation

  • Infestation of insects (flies, bedbugs, cockroaches, etc.).
  • Applies to homes, businesses, and shared facilities.
  • Sub-Types:
    • Bedbugs
    • Fleas
    • Groundhogs
    • Lice
    • Mice
    • Mosquitos
    • Possums
    • Raccoons
    • Rats
    • Roaches
    • Skunks

8) Mold

  • Visible or suspected mold growth on ceilings, walls, etc.
  • Typically due to poor ventilation or water intrusion.

9) Other

  • Used for complaints that do not fit predefined categories.
  • Requires manual triage by intake staff.

10) Rodent Abatement

  • Reports of rats or mice in or around structures.
  • May include sightings, droppings, or burrows.

11) Sewage Back Up

  • Sewage water entering property due to backup or overflow.
  • Health emergency—prompt response required.

12) Standing Water

  • Water pooling in yards, containers, or vacant lots.
  • Mosquito breeding or structural damage hazard.

13) Swimming Pools

  • Unsafe or abandoned swimming pools creating hazards.
  • Issues related to water quality or structural safety.

14) Trash in Street or Alley

  • Litter, debris, or illegally dumped waste blocking right of way.
  • Impacts public safety and neighborhood cleanliness.

Inspection Outcome Definitions

Standardized Result Descriptions for Environmental Health Actions

1) Baited for Rodents

"Property was inspected. Rodenticide was placed in appropriate burrows on property. Property owner or resident was informed."

2) Complied

"Prior issues noted have been brought into compliance at time of last inspection."

3) Court Action Filed

"Prior issues noted had not been corrected at time of re-inspection. A prosecution packet has been developed and forwarded to Law for review and further action."

4) Court Status Inspection

"An inspection of the location was conducted to assess current status of this location to provide an update to the court related to the court action previously filed. Court outcomes are available from the court docket."

5) Insufficient Information Provided

"Complaint is lacking required information to investigate. No further action will be taken on this complaint unless additional information is received."

6) License Inspection Conducted

"An inspection of this licensed operation was conducted. Please contact the appropriate program manager if further information is desired."

7) Mosquito Larviciding

"Mosquito larvicide was placed in breeding areas (catch basin, damp areas, or other location where water can collect and provide mosquito larvae growth conditions)."

8) No Access Available

"Upon inspection, no access to location was able to be gained."

9) No Code Violation Observed

"Upon inspection, no health code violations were observed."

10) No Such Address

"Address reported is incorrect, no such address was found."

11) Orange Tag

"A tag was left at the location requesting information from the occupant or owner. Inspector's number was provided for further contact."

12) Outside City Limits

"This complaint was for a location outside the jurisdiction of CDPH. No further action was taken."

13) Referral

"Complaint issues outside of health code ordinances were forwarded to the appropriate agency."

14) Ticketed

"Location was inspected. A ticket was issued and forwarded to the court."

15) Violation Notice Issued

"An inspection was conducted. Existing code violations were observed. A violation notice was sent to the appropriate party based on the issues observed. A compliance date was included. Further action will depend on outcomes after re-inspection after the compliance time has elapsed."