Ohio Updates Petition Ditch Drainage Law
H.B. 340 revises how drainage works are installed and maintained through the petition process, with county engineers and soil and water conservation districts following the new rules starting March 18.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Landscaping
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The Ohio General Assembly passed H.B. 340, which updates laws governing petition-based drainage works, and the measure received unanimous approval from both the House and the Senate. County engineers and Soil and Water Conservation District offices will begin following the revised law on March 18.
Why it matters
The drainage laws were in serious need of updating, and the revisions clarify ambiguous provisions while embracing new technologies. The changes affect how residents and local officials initiate and maintain drainage improvements across Ohio's counties.
The new law sets a 10-foot minimum width for sod or seeded strips, up from 4 feet, and raises the county commissioner repair threshold to $24,000 from $4,000. Detailed implementation guidelines for the new procedures remain in preparation.
The players
Rep. Bob Cupp
Ohio state representative who sponsored H.B. 340 revising the state's petition ditch drainage laws.
County Commissioners Association of Ohio
The statewide association of Ohio county commissioners that convened the Ohio Drainage Law Task Force to update the drainage statutes.
The details
H.B. 340, sponsored by Rep. Bob Cupp, follows a process that began over seven years before passage through the Ohio Drainage Law Task Force, convened by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. The entire amount of sod or seeded strips is removed from taxable valuation of property, and the bond for county engineer petitions is $1,500 plus $5 per parcel above 200 parcels.
Timeline
Over seven years before passage: Ohio Drainage Law Task Force updating process began.
March 18: Revised drainage law takes effect and county engineers and SWCDs begin following it.
Season Trajectory
H.B. 340 updates Ohio's petition ditch drainage framework, which the General Assembly had left in need of revision for years. The changes raise minimum strip widths and repair thresholds within that existing statutory structure.
Property owners involved in petition drainage projects will face a 10-foot minimum for sod or seeded strips and new bond and repair cost rules. Repair assessments can now be spread across 10 semiannual installments instead of four, easing the upfront burden on assessed landowners.
The takeaway
Landowners in Ohio drainage districts should review the revised sod strip width and bond requirements before filing a petition after March 18. Repair assessments spread over 10 installments may make maintenance costs easier to plan for.
Further reading
For more on how drainage affects yard and property upkeep, see Landscaping coverage in Ohio.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
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