If you own property in a Stark County township with Canton city water or sewer service, or you’re considering buying one, Canton’s February 2026 ordinance directly affects you. This guide explains what changed and what it means for your real estate transaction.
Does This Affect You?
You ARE affected if:
- Your property is outside Canton city limits AND
- You receive water and/or sewer service from the City of Canton
You are NOT affected if:
- You get water AND sewer from any other provider than the City of Canton, OR
- You live in another incorporated city or village
What Changed?
As of February 23, 2026, Canton requires anyone getting new Canton water/sewer service OR transferring existing service (when selling a home and new buyer starts service) outside city limits to sign an annexation agreement.
The critical requirement:
- New connections: Anyone requesting new Canton water/sewer service must sign an annexation agreement
- Property sales: When you sell your home, the buyer must sign an annexation agreement to receive Canton water/sewer service
- Every transaction: The agreement doesn’t transfer with the deed. Every new buyer must sign a fresh agreement
What Is an Annexation Agreement?
In plain English: You agree that your property will be annexed (brought into Canton city limits) IF and WHEN the Canton city boundary reaches your property, meaning it becomes physically touching or “contiguous.”
Important details:
- Signing the agreement does NOT annex your property immediately (unless it already borders Canton)
- It’s a commitment for the future, IF the city boundary reaches you
- Ohio law allows Canton to use corridor/strip annexation along roads and utility rights-of-way to reach non-adjacent properties
- Each annexation makes adjacent properties newly eligible, creating a possible cascade effect
- Nobody knows when (or if) the boundary will reach any specific property. It could be years, decades, or never
- This situation is still developing and no one has seen these agreements. This is subject to change.
What Happens If You’re Annexed?
If/when your property is annexed into Canton:
You would:
- Pay 2.5% ($2,500 per $100k income) Canton city income tax (if you work in Canton, you already pay this; if not, Canton provides credit for taxes paid to other cities)
- Receive city services: police, fire, paid trash collection, snow removal, street maintenance, code enforcement
- Follow Canton zoning code instead of township zoning
- Vote in Canton city elections and have a Canton ward council member
You would NOT:
- Change school districts (schools operate independently of municipal boundaries)
Property taxes: The city portion would change. Overall impact varies by location since you’d no longer pay certain township levies.
Service transition: You may initially be the only one or one of few on your block with these changes.
For Sellers: Disclosure Requirements
This is a legal requirement, not optional.
Ohio Revised Code 4735.67 requires you and your realtor to disclose material facts that could affect a buyer’s decision. An ordinance conditioning water service on an annexation agreement is a material fact.
What you must do:
- Disclose to potential buyers that purchasing the property requires signing an annexation agreement
- This disclosure must happen on every transaction
- Failure to disclose could create legal liability if a buyer discovers it after closing
When it matters:
- Every property listing outside Canton city limits that receives Canton water/sewer
- Starting immediately (February 23, 2026)
For Buyers: Questions to Ask
Before purchasing a property on Canton water/sewer outside city limits:
- Do I understand what I’m agreeing to? You’ll sign an agreement to be annexed if the city boundary reaches the property
- How close is the Canton city boundary? This affects the likelihood and timeline of annexation
- Will my lender accept this? Some lenders may have concerns about the annexation agreement
- How will title insurance handle this? Confirm your title company’s position
- What are the neighboring properties doing? If properties closer to Canton have signed agreements, your annexation could happen sooner through a cascade effect
- Am I comfortable with the uncertainty? The timeline for annexation (if ever) is unknown
Work with a realtor who understands this ordinance and can explain the implications.
Special Note: Perry Township
Perry Township has a different situation due to an existing JEDD (Joint Economic Development District) agreement with Canton. Perry residents MAY be protected by their 50-year Faircrest JEDD agreement, but this is currently disputed and uncertain. If you’re buying or selling in Perry Township, the water service situation is particularly complex. I’ve heard that Canton has been denying water transfer requests preemptively since February 5, 2026.
Waivers
The Director of Public Service may issue waivers from the annexation requirement, but:
- Council must be notified of any waiver
- Council can deny any waiver by two-thirds vote
- Waivers are meant for rare exceptions only
- The default expectation is that every property owner signs an annexation agreement
Maps and Resources
Areas with Canton water in townships:
Bottom Line
If you’re buying or selling a property on Canton water/sewer outside city limits:
✓ Understand what the annexation agreement means
✓ Disclose this requirement to buyers (if selling)
✓ Ask questions about timeline, lender approval, and title insurance (if buying)
✓ Work with a realtor familiar with this ordinance
✓ Recognize this creates uncertainty (how much depends on your specific location)
This situation is evolving. Market impacts on property values, buyer behavior, and transaction timelines remain uncertain.
Have questions?
- Call/text me directly 330-412-2221
- email joey@whipplerealestate.com
- contact me
OR read the detailed post with further explanations, market predictions, and legal analysis.
