Law largely keeping couches off porches

Fred Squillante | DISPATCH

Code-enforcement officials have had little trouble with Ohio State University students asked to remove couches from porches.

The Columbus Dispatch Friday November 23, 2012 6:27 AM

Seven years after the Columbus City Council banned couches and other indoor furniture from porches, the city has not filed one case in court against anyone for violating the law.

Code-enforcement officials say thats because when they tell students living near Ohio State University to remove their couches, they do it.

I rarely see couches stay on a porch too long, said Tom Wildman, the University Area Commissions code-enforcement and safety-committee chairman, who pushed for the 2005 law.

I think its an effective law. Its an important law.

Code-enforcement officers have issued 225 notices this year, giving offenders 20 days to move furniture off the porch or lawn. Only 20 of those cases remain open.

Court records since the law was enacted show that no cases have been filed under the code section that bans couches and other upholstered furniture from porches and lawns.

John Hughes, the citys supervisor for code enforcement near OSU, said he receives 50 to 100 couch complaints when students return from summer break and often are unaware of the law.

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Law largely keeping couches off porches