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1. What is ACH?

Automated Clearing House (ACH) is a free and easy program that automatically withdraws your water bill payment from your bank account every month. All you need to do is complete an ACH Authorization Form (PDF) and return it to the following address:

Water Billing Department
3760 Darrow Road
Stow, OH, 44224

2. How do I know when ACH will be activated?

You will need to review the message section of your bill. On the month that the ACH is being tested, a message will be on your bill noting “This is a test, please pay”. On the month that your ACH payment will be withdrawn from your account, your bill will note the following: “This bill is for your records only, do not pay”.

3. How do I sign up?

• Phone: Call our office at 330-689-2889 and we can send you an ACH application either through the mail or via email.
• Email: You can email water billing your service address and account number which is located on your water bill, and we can send you an application via email.
• Print Form: View the ACH Authorization Form (PDF).

You can then print it out and mail it back to our office at:

City of Stow Water Billing
3760 Darrow Road
Stow, OH 44224

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1. What is code?

A Code is a collection of requirements that pertain to a specific subject, to regulate specific practices. A Building Code is a collection of requirements (such as exit signs and smoke detectors) that pertain to specific subjects (such as exiting and fire protection systems) and regulate specific practices (such as designing, constructing, or remodeling a building.

2. What is the purpose of code?

No matter what the specific subject may be - construction property maintenance, fire prevention, electrical, or plumbing - all codes have the same purpose:

To protect public health, safety, and welfare by requiring safe construction.

3. How are codes used?

• Codes are adopted as laws or ordinances by Governments such as states, counties, townships, and cities. Once a jurisdiction adopts a code as law, the jurisdiction must enforce that law.
• Codes become part of the permit and inspection processes. Once a code has become law, Code Officials and Inspectors from the jurisdiction need the code to help their enforcement of the law. Inspections made during construction verify that code compliance has been achieved. Inspections are made during construction to verify electrical, sanitation, structural, fire, and life safety.
• Codes provide standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of homes and businesses.
• Codes are used by architects, contractors, builders, and materials manufacturers to ensure safety, economy, and consistency of construction. You, as a homeowner or business owner, have a substantial investment that can be seriously jeopardized through code violations.

4. How do codes help you?

• Codes are adopted as laws or ordinances by Governments such as states, counties, townships, and cities. Once a jurisdiction adopts a code as law, the jurisdiction must enforce that law.
• Codes become part of the permit and inspection processes. Once a code has become law, Code Officials and Inspectors from the jurisdiction need the code to help their enforcement of the law. Inspections made during construction verify that code compliance has been achieved. Inspections are made during construction to verify electrical, sanitation, structural, fire, and life safety.
• Codes provide standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of homes and businesses.
• Codes are used by architects, contractors, builders, and materials manufacturers to ensure safety, economy, and consistency of construction. You, as a homeowner or business owner, have a substantial investment that can be seriously jeopardized through code violations.

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1. What is a building permit?

A building permit is a license that grants legal permission to start the construction of a building project. Permits allow the enforcement of the codes which have been adopted as law by a state, county, township or city. No matter what the specific project may be, enforcing codes to assure safe construction helps to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

Building Permits provide the means for Code Officials to protect us by reducing the potential hazard of unsafe construction and therefore ensuring public health, safety and welfare. The Building Permit process helps us understand what our local laws and ordinances are.

Before any construction or remodeling work begins, an application for a permit should be made. Building Permits provide the means for Code Officials to inspect construction to ensure that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used.

2. What projects require a building permit?

Building Permits are required for the following:

• New Buildings
• Electrical Systems
• Additions
• Plumbing Systems
• Renovations
• HVAC Systems
• Demolitions
• Temporary Buildings
• Prefabricated Structures
• Mobile Homes
• Miscellaneous for Residential (fireplace, pools, decks, fences, etc.).
• Miscellaneous for Commercial (parking, health, food handling, etc.

3. How are permits used?

Building Permits are required for the following:

• New Buildings
• Electrical Systems
• Additions
• Plumbing Systems
• Renovations
• HVAC Systems
• Demolitions
• Temporary Buildings
• Prefabricated Structures
• Mobile Homes
• Miscellaneous for Residential (fireplace, pools, decks, fences, etc.).
• Miscellaneous for Commercial (parking, health, food handling, etc.

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1. Where can I make sure my car seat is installed correctly?

The Stow Fire Department has Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on duty. Please contact Mel Gammell by email or call 330-689-3292 to schedule an appointment.

2. My child has a curiosity in fire or has lit a fire(s) before. Can SFD help me?

Absolutely! The Stow Fire Department has a Youth Firesetter Prevention & Intervention Program aimed to educate children under the age of 18. The program’s intention is to help children who engage in firesetting behavior or interest. Please contact our Fire & Life Safety Educator, Mel Gammell by email or call 330-689-3292.

3. I have not received my ambulance bill. How can I check on the status?

Call our EMS Billing secretary at 330-689-3287 to check the status of your bill.

4. How do I request assistance with my smoke alarm?

The Stow Fire Department works with The American Red Cross to provide FREE smoke alarms to residents through the Sound the Alarm program. You can find more information at the Red Cross Sound the Alarm page or email Mel Gammell or call 330-689-3292.

5. How do I dispose of my fire extinguisher?

Stow Fire Department does not accept fire extinguishers for disposal.

Recycle the extinguisher if the canister is empty. If an extinguisher is empty, you can simply throw them out with your recycling trash since they no longer contain hazardous materials. You may want to still check with your local recycling company about the best way to recycle the canister.

You can take the extinguisher to the hazardous waste disposal facility located at 1201 Graham Road Stow, OH on Thursdays from 2 to 7 pm. Ask about hazard types and any restrictions before you go.

6. How can I get a copy of my fire or EMS report?

Call 330-689-3287 to request a copy. Copies of EMS records are protected by HIPAA and may require additional documentation with the request.

7. Does the fire department accept medications/syringes?

The Fire Department does not accept either; however, the Police Department has a medication disposal box in the lobby of the Safety Building which is open 24/7. If you have a small number of needles or syringes, they can be placed inside a coffee can and wrapped with packaging/duct tape, and placed in your regular residential trash. Always check with your trash company before disposing of needles or syringes.

8. Can I have my blood pressure checked at the fire station?

Yes. The Stow Fire Department offers this free service to all residents. Feel free to stop by the station and, as long as the personnel are not out on an emergency call, they can assist you.

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1. How do I pay my city water bill?

Answer goes here...

2. How do I get a new trash can lid?

Answer goes here...

3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

Answer goes here...

4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

Answer goes here...

5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

Answer goes here...

6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

Answer goes here...

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1. What is the City of Stow income tax rate and what type of income is taxable?

Stow's income tax is 2 percent and is based on qualified wages and business and/or rental net profit.

2. What is taxable income?

Earned income such as salaries, wages, commissions, wage continuation plans, deferred compensation, vacation pay, tips, distributive shares of net profits of a partnership or subchapter S corporation, net profit from a business, net rental income, and income from lotteries and games of chance are some of the more common sources of taxable income. Please contact the Income Tax office for a complete listing.

3. What income is not taxable?

Income such as dividends, interest, military pay, pensions, alimony, child support, Social Security, Medicare, poor relief, unemployment benefits if received from state or local governments, gifts, inheritances, scholarships, involuntary conversions, and all income earned by individuals prior to their 18th birthday. Individuals can request a refund of income tax withheld for the City of Stow on income earned prior to their 18th birthday by contacting the tax office.

4. Who must file?

All Stow residents and partial year residents, eighteen years of age or older, must file an annual city income tax return, whether or not any tax is due.

Nonresidents of Stow who worked or earned income in the City of Stow and did not have the proper amount of tax withheld (2 percent) for Stow must file an annual return. Also, any person or entity who operated a business or owned rental property within Stow must file an annual return.

5. When should I file?

Returns must be filed on or before the later of April 15th following the close of the calendar year or the same filing deadline as the Federal Form 1040; or within four months from the end of their fiscal year. Any tax form that is not signed or does not have W-2's and/or 1099s attached or does not have the appropriate Federal Schedules attached will not be considered as being filed until such signature or materials are received at the tax office.

6. I am a Stow resident who works outside the City of Stow. My employer withholds local income taxes from my pay. Do I still owe income taxes to the City of Stow?

The City allows a credit for tax properly withheld for other city taxes paid up to Stow's rate of 2 percent. If you work in a city with a tax rate of less than 2%, you will owe the City of Stow on the difference between the amount withheld from your pay and our rate of 2 percent. If you work in a city with a tax rate equal to or greater than our rate of 2%, and the tax has been properly withheld from your pay, you will not owe Stow additional tax on that income. As a resident of Stow, even if you owe no tax to Stow, you still must file an income tax return with the City of Stow.

7. Can I e-file my City of Stow income tax return?

After gathering the needed information; W-2's, Form 1099-MISC, Federal Schedules C, E, and/or K-1, etc., the City of Stow income tax return can be entered, reviewed, and corrected if needed. Go to: https://www.mitstaxonline.com/stow/  Once the return is completed and finalized, the tax return is securely transmitted to the Stow Income Tax Department. If a payment is required, the instructions are included for making that payment.

8. I prefer to file a paper form - where can I get a City of Stow income tax form?

City of Stow income tax forms can be downloaded from the Document Center. If no access to a computer, a paper return can be picked up from the City of Stow Income Tax Department located in Stow City Hall at 3760 Darrow Road. Income Tax office hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm. Monday through Friday. Additionally, a form can be mailed to you by contacting the Income Tax office at 330-689-2849.

9. Can I receive assistance in preparing my City of Stow Income Tax return?

Yes. The City of Stow Income Tax Division personnel will assist you either by telephone, mail, or in person. The Income Tax Department office is located in Stow City Hall at 3760 Darrow Road. Income Tax office hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm. Monday through Friday. Please feel free to contact the office at 330-689-2849.

10. Where can I find a copy of the Stow Income Tax Ordinance?

View the Stow Income Tax Ordinance (PDF).

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1. I just moved into Stow. How do I sign up for water or get a final read?

Homeowners / Tenant Residents

No deposit is required. You may sign up in person at the Utility Billing Office in City Hall, call the office at 330-689-2889.

Information Required

• Billing Name
• Property Address
• Billing Address
• Daytime Telephone Number
• Effective Date (must be a non-holiday; no weekend).

If you are a new owner, after setting up your account, we will follow up by mailing you a Homeowner Application. This information enables us to confirm the account data on file.

If you plan to move, you will need to call our office with a final effective date or use the Water Final Read Form. Final billing is then mailed.

2. How can I tell if my bill is an actual or estimated read?

On the upper left-hand side of our billing statement, you will find a box marked code. When you receive your bill, the codes may be listed as follows

• ACT: Actual Rea
• EST: Estimated Read
• CRD: Customer Read
• P: Post Card Read

3. How can I pay my water bill?

For options regarding paying your water bill, please view the Online Payments and E-Billing Information page.

4. What is the Water Improvement Fee?

This fee is used to generate revenue for numerous City-wide improvements to the Stow Water System. Projects will include the replacement of water lines, expanding the system, and renovating facilities associated with the Water System.

5. I have a sewer question. Can you help me?

The City of Stow does not provide or maintain your sewer needs. You may contact the Department of Environmental Services at 330-926-2400 with your sewer question. We send our reads to this agency on a monthly basis; however, they bill customers on a quarterly basis.

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1. Is there Lead in Stow Water?

There is no detectable lead in the treated water that leaves the City of Akron Water Treatment Plant and is brought into the City of Stow through its two pumping stations. There is also no lead in the water delivered to your home through the distribution system. The City of Akron has had a comprehensive corrosion control program as part of its treatment process for over thirty years. The special corrosion inhibitor used, zinc orthophosphate is continuously added to treated water. This inhibitor makes the water less corrosive and creates a coating inside the pipes. This serves as a barrier between the two and prevents conditions that can cause lead to leach into the water.

Beginning in the early 1950s, the use of lead in water service lines was abandoned in favor of using copper pipes. The City of Stow water system, from the mid-1950s until the late 1970s, was under the ownership/control of the City of Akron. From the late 1970s until late 2001, the system was under the ownership/control of Summit County. The City of Stow purchased and took control of the system in November of 2001. Throughout its existence, all available records indicate no use of lead in any service piping installed in the system. For more information, click here.

For a map view the Map Water Service (PDF).