Norwood
Health
Department

To prevent the spread of disease; promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors and protect our environment, residents and visitors from harmful effects of pollutants and diseases.

The Norwood City Health Department is required by law to establish fees for the licensing and inspection of Food Service Operations, Retail Food Establishments and Plan Review each year based upon the cost of providing those services locally.  An annual cost analysis is performed each fall using data from the previous year to establish the licensing fees.  A “District Licensing Council” comprised of various license holders reviews the documentation and approves the proposed fees to be presented to the Board of Health.  Once the Board of Health approves the cost analysis and the proposed fees, a Public Hearing is scheduled and each Norwood food and vending license holder is notified of the date and proposed fee structure.  In addition, a copy of the cost analysis must be filed with the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Agriculture for review and accuracy.  The Board hears comments on the proposed fees at the Public Hearing (either in person or written) and begins the process of three readings  of the proposed regulation.  Following adoption of the proposed fees by the Board of Health, applications for food and vending licenses are mailed to each license holder.   License fees must be postmarked by March 1^st each year or are subject to a 25% late fee.

A similar process is used to calculate public swimming pool fees, but a Public Hearing is not required.  Local health departments may not charge fees in excess of the cost of administering the swimming pool program.  Only public swimming pools must obtain a license. 

Animal bites of any kind must be reported to the local health department.  A registered sanitarian will investigate to make sure that the animal is in good health, has the required immunizations and will quarantine the animal for 10 days to assure that the animal does not have rabies. 

The Norwood City Health Department also inspects all school buildings at least once a year.    
 

Ohio law requires the licensing and inspection of all public swimming pools and spas each year. In Norwood, this includes pools operated by the Norwood Recreation Department, Quality Hotel, Norwood High School, Lindner YMCA pools (indoor and outdoor) and any pool located within an apartment complex.  Pools must apply for licensure by June 1^st annually.

Ohio law requires that the local health department inspect each public swimming pool at least once before the pool is open to the public.  We at the Norwood City Health Department don’t believe that number is sufficient!  We inspect every public swimming pool in Norwood at least once every two weeks and frequently get to the pools weekly.  We always respond promptly to complaints wither from patrons or from lifeguards who might be concerned about the operation of a pool.  During each inspection, we test for free and total chlorine, pH and clarity of the water as well as the proper function of the necessary equipment and the completion of required paperwork. 

The cost of public swimming pool licenses is as follows:

* A “Special Use Pool” is similar to a swimming pool but has a water slide, water fall or other device for special uses.