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1. Should I call 911 to report a power outage?

No. Do not use 911 to report a power outage. To report a Hudson Public Power outage during business hours (M-F | 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), call (330) 342-1710. After hours HPP outage? Please call (330) 342-1715. If you have a different utility company, please contact them directly. The use of 911 should be used only for a life-threatening emergency.

2. Can HPD help with lost / found animals?

The Hudson Police Department has a chip reader for found animals. The caller may bring the dog or cat into the station, or an officer can respond to their location. If the animal has a chip, we will try to contact the owner, but we cannot house the animal.

Hudson Dispatch keeps a running list of LOST, SPOTTED, AND FOUND animals in an excel sheet. We try to get as much information as possible so that the animal may be reunited with their owner. We will ask specific information about the lost or found pet, your contact information, and if it is ok to provide your information to the owner if they call.

3. There is a new fireworks law in Ohio. What do I need to know?

HUDSON, OH (June 22, 2022) – With the passage of Ohio House Bill 172 which goes into effect on July 1, 2022, Ohioans can legally discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks in Ohio. However, discharge is only permitted on specific days and only at specific times. On June 21, 2022, Hudson City Council passed Ordinance No. 22-70 that aligns the City of Hudson fireworks regulations with the State’s new fireworks law. 

Under Ohio’s previous fireworks law, individuals could purchase consumer-grade fireworks in Ohio but had to transport them out of state within 48 hours.

What are 1.4G Fireworks?

Formerly known as Class C common fireworks, items classified as 1.4G explosives are consumer fireworks intended for use by the general public.

When can Hudson residents discharge fireworks? 

Individuals can discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks only from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. (per HB 172) on the following dates: 

• July 3, 4, and 5, and the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays immediately preceding and following July 4th
• Labor Day weekend - First Monday in September and the preceding Saturday and Sunday
• Diwali - The actual day of only – Not the 5 days that it is celebrated
• New Year’s Eve (4 p.m. - 11:59 p.m.)
• New Year’s Day (also 12 a.m. - 1 a.m.) + (4 p.m. - 11 p.m.)
• Chinese New Year 
• Cinco de Mayo 
• Memorial Day weekend – Last Monday in May and the preceding Saturday and Sunday
• Juneteenth  

Fireworks are not permitted in Hudson on any date not listed above.

Where can consumers discharge fireworks?

Consumers can discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks on their own property or on another person’s property with that person’s permission. 

What fireworks can consumers discharge?

Consumers (Ohio residents and non-residents) can only discharge 1.4G consumer grade fireworks that were purchased in Ohio from an Ohio licensed fireworks sale location. Consumers are not allowed to purchase or discharge 1.3G display grade fireworks. 

Fireworks must be discharged responsibly. 

No person can use fireworks while in possession or control of, or under the influence of, any intoxicating liquor, beer, or controlled substance. A person who violates this is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. 

What laws and rules apply?

State law rules how 1.4G consumer fireworks must be used and stored by consumers. Some provisions in the rules include:

• No person under the age of 18 is permitted to handle or discharge fireworks.
• Persons under the age of 18 cannot be within 150 feet of the discharge point of aerial fireworks.
• Aerial devices cannot be discharged within 150 feet of spectators (this includes aerial shells, roman candles, cakes, and bottle rockets).
• Non-aerial devices cannot be discharged within 50 feet of spectators (this includes fountains, firecrackers, and ground effect devices).
  • Note: These separation distances – for both aerial and non-aerial devices – are increased for certain types of occupancies such as hospitals, schools, healthcare and residential facilities, apartment and multi-tenant buildings, military installations, and railroads.
• No person can store more than 125 pounds (net weight pyrotechnic composition) of fireworks unless they have additional safety measures and safeguards in place for such storage.
• Fireworks cannot be discharged indoors.
• Fireworks cannot be aimed at or discharged towards any person or object (such as buildings).
• Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property or private school property.
• Fireworks cannot be discharged if drought conditions exist or in an area where a red flag warning is in place or a weather hazard exists.

More information about HB 172 and new Ohio fireworks regulations can be found at www.legislature.ohio.gov. Here is a link to the specific page: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA134-HB-172. 

4. When should I call 911? When should 911 not be used?

911 is an emergency line. It is to be used for life or death emergencies, or situations that could become life or death emergencies. These reasons include, but are not limited to: reporting violence, requesting an ambulance, reporting a possible impaired driver, reporting hazardous conditions, etc.

Do not use the emergency 911 line for non-life-threatening issues such as reporting a power outage, reporting a lost or found animal, parking complaints, requests for the non-emergency number or other phone numbers, etc. If it is not a true emergency but you want to speak to the Police, call the regular number at 330-342-1800.

5. What should I do if I call 911 by accident?

If you call 911 in error, stay on the line and let the dispatcher know you dialed by mistake. The dispatcher will confirm with you that everything is OK. When calling from a landline, be prepared for the dispatcher to ask for your name, address, and telephone number to confirm that the information the dispatcher sees on the 911 screen is correct.

6. When I call 911 from a cell phone, will the dispatcher know my exact location?

No. When you call 911 from a cellular phone, the 911 screen will show the dispatcher a set of coordinates; however, the coordinates may be for the cellular tower that your call is coming from, and may not reflect the location of your cellular phone. Be aware of your location and surroundings as often as possible.

7. If I observe suspicious behavior or circumstances, what should I do?

If you observe suspicious behavior or circumstances, call the Hudson Police Department at (330) 342-1800, or call 911 if it is an emergency. Do this immediately, or call as soon as possible. The Hudson Police Department has a much higher chance of investigating suspicious behavior or suspicious circumstances if these incidents are reported while occurring, or shortly thereafter, as opposed to reports that are received well after the incident took place.

8. Is there a curfew in Hudson?

Yes. Juveniles are not permitted on any public street, sidewalk, public ground or business establishment open to the public, or be in a motor vehicle during the following times:
- 15 years of age or younger - 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- 16 or 17 years of age - Midnight to 5 a.m.
- Unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or by an adult person having permission of a parent/guardian, or
- Have consent from a parent/guardian to go directly to or from any lawful activity, or
- Are engaged in an emergency errand with parent/guardian approval.

9. Is there a noise ordinance in Hudson?

Yes. Section 648.14 of the Codified Ordinances lists unnecessary, excessive, or offensive noise or sound to include loud music, barking dogs, etc. In addition, Land Development Code Section 1207.10 (a)(3)E states no person shall use construction equipment or perform construction operations between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday or between the hours of 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday (and all holidays observed by the City of Hudson) or after 5 p.m. on Sunday within a residential area, or within 500 feet of a school. See the full Code text here.

10. Does the City of Hudson have Animal Control?

No. The City of Hudson does not have animal control.

If you have a dead animal on your property, you are responsible for hiring a private contractor to remove the dead animal. The city will only remove dead animals from the roadway or curb. 

11. Will the Hudson Police Department check on my house while I am out of town?

Yes. The Hudson Police Department has a Vacation Watch Program. The Hudson Police Department offers this service to residents when they are away for periods of less than 30 days. Officers will periodically check the security of your home while you are away. You may submit a request by providing information via an online form, or stopping by the Police Department at any time.

For more information visit the Hudson Police Department Vacation Watch Program.

12. Will the Hudson Police Department assist me if I lock my keys in my car?

Yes. The Hudson Police Department will respond to areas within the City of Hudson (locations with Hudson mailing addresses that are outside of the City of Hudson are not included in our police jurisdiction) and will attempt to unlock your vehicle. You will need to be present in order for the Officer to attempt to open your vehicle.

The Hudson Police Department does not assist motorists by changing tires or jump starting vehicles. Officers may assist with traffic control, but other means should be used when these types of assistance are needed.

13. Are permits required to solicit in Hudson?

Yes. Once successfully completing the permit/approval process (see below), commercial solicitation is allowed in Hudson in residential areas between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST and 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Daylight Saving Time Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays.

Persons who wish to conduct for-profit, door-to-door sales must obtain a permit to do so. Permit applications are available at the Police Department to pick up at any time and include: An instruction sheet, two applications/permit cards, and an affidavit stating the applicant has never been convicted of a felony. This document must be notarized (which can be handled by the applicant, or it can be done at the Police Department during normal business hours if a Notary Public is on duty). Also required are: two recent color photographs of the applicant (approximately passport size), one for each card; and a copy of the applicant’s driver’s license or State ID Card. A copy can be made at the Police Department when other paperwork is turned in. A $25 permit fee payment must be submitted along with the application and is due and payable in exact change or check made out to the City of Hudson. A receipt will be provided.

Once all paperwork has been completed and returned to the Police Department, a local background check will be conducted; if no criminal record is found, the Chief of Police will sign both cards. This process usually takes no more than a day or two. Applicants can call (330) 342-1814 to see if a permit is ready to be picked up. The solicitor must carry the permit or have it easily available when conducting business in Hudson. The permit will expire December 31 of the same year it was issued.