Municipal Codes

The City of Merriam is committed to a beautiful community by working with residents and businesses to encourage compliance with the City’s municipal ordinances. Let’s all do our part to keep our community attractive. 

View the Codes Library

10 City Codes To Know 

These 10 codes are especially important to residential properties: 

1. Exterior Maintenance

All exterior building surfaces, including doors, soffits, eaves, windows, porches, and trim, must be maintained in good condition. Peeling, flaking, or chipped paint should be removed, the surface repaired and painted. 

Sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas must be free of hazardous conditions. Accessory structures, fences, and walls also must be maintained.

2. House Numbers

Can life-saving personnel find you? Clearly posted house numbers can save precious time when an emergency occurs.

All houses and buildings must display address numbers that are easily readable from the street. The numbers must be at least 4 inches in height and of contrasting color from your house.

Trees and shrubbery can cover house numbers if not properly maintained. Be sure to keep your numbers clearly visible throughout the year. 

3. Uncontrolled Vegetation

Lawn mowing is required. Weeds, grasses, and other controlled vegetation must be kept below 10 inches in height on all properties. Property owners are required to mow any area between their property line and the adjacent curb or street.

4. Tree Maintenance

Property owners are responsible for tree maintenance on their private property and trees located in the adjacent right of way areas. Dead trees and/or fallen tree limbs must be removed from your property. 

If you’re planning to replace or add trees on your property, please know there are specific regulations governing plantings in right of way areas.

Each spring, Merriam offers free tree limb pickup for residents. 

5. Inoperable Vehicles 

The outside storage of non-working vehicles isn’t allowed. All vehicles must be operational with current licensing.

6. Outside Storage

Most household items can’t be stored outside. Items allowed outside without restrictions are lawn furniture, barbecue grills, arbors, trellises, and flagpoles. Other items may be stored outside such as trash cans, boats, trailers, campers, and firewood, but there are restrictions associated with storing these items, which include placement, screening, paving, and other specifics. 

7. Trash Containers and Collection

Trash must be collected at least once weekly at all properties. On trash collection day, containers, bundled tree branches, or newspapers may be placed outside on your property for pickup. On other days, containers must be stored indoors, behind your front building line, or screened from view. Residential trash pick up is NOT a City-provided service. It's the responsibility of individual residents or home associations to arrange for service with one of the city's permitted trash haulers.

8. Firewood Storage and Compost Bins

Firewood and compost bins may be stored outside if they are located behind the front of your house and not within 3 feet of any property line. Firewood must be neatly stacked and should be elevated to discourage rodents. Compost bins must be maintained. 

9. Boats, RV’s, Trailers, and Campers 

These items may be stored outside if they are located behind the front building line and not within 7 feet of the side property line. They must be located on a hard surface (asphalt or concrete) as required for off-street parking. In the case of a corner lot, other requirements must be met. Under certain conditions these items may be parked forward of the front building line. Please contact Community Development for additional information.

10. Off-Street Parking

All off-street parking surfaces must be graded and paved with asphalt or concrete. Vehicles cannot park on grass or other non-paved surfaces.

Property owners should make sure driveways and other parking areas are free of cracks, potholes, and other defects. Gravel driveways and parking areas that existed prior to the adoption of regulations requiring paving cannot be extended or enlarged and must be maintained free of bare spots and vegetation. Outdoor storage or overnight parking of a truck, bus, or trailer with a manufacturer’s rating greater than 15 MR is prohibited in residential districts.

Permits

Some home repairs and alterations may require you to obtain a building permit, including fence and roof installation and driveway replacement. You can obtain a permit from the Community Development Department at City Hall, 9001 W. 62nd St., or by calling 913-322-5520.