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Avon Lake Overview
Avon Lake, OH Code of Ordinances
CITY OF AVON LAKE, OHIO CODE OF ORDINANCES
THE CHARTER OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF AVON LAKE, OHIO
PART TWO - ADMINISTRATION CODE
PART FOUR - TRAFFIC CODE
PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
CHAPTER 606: GENERAL PROVISIONS; ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
CHAPTER 610: ADVERTISING, BILLPOSTING AND HANDBILLS
CHAPTER 612: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
CHAPTER 618: ANIMALS
CHAPTER 624: DRUGS
CHAPTER 630: GAMBLING
CHAPTER 636: OFFENSES RELATING TO PERSONS
CHAPTER 642: OFFENSES RELATING TO PROPERTY
CHAPTER 648: PEACE DISTURBANCES
CHAPTER 660: SAFETY, SANITATION AND HEALTH
CHAPTER 662: NUISANCE PROPERTIES
CHAPTER 666: SEX RELATED OFFENSES
CHAPTER 667: SMOKING IN MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
CHAPTER 668: VEGETATION AND LITTER
CHAPTER 670: WATERCRAFT
§ 670.01 DEFINITIONS; APPLICABILITY.
§ 670.02 FLASHING LIGHTS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
§ 670.03 SIREN PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
§ 670.04 REGULATIONS FOR OPERATION OF POWERCRAFT OF MORE THAN TEN HORSEPOWER.
§ 670.05 RESTRICTIONS ON CHILD OPERATORS; DUTY OF SUPERVISORY ADULT.
§ 670.06 RECKLESS OPERATION; MAINTAINING SUFFICIENT CONTROL; WAKES RESTRICTED.
§ 670.07 UNSAFE CONDITIONS.
§ 670.08 MARKING OF BATHING AND VESSEL AREAS.
§ 670.09 MOORING PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN AREAS.
§ 670.10 OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS PROHIBITED.
§ 670.11 IMPLIED CONSENT.
§ 670.12 INCAPACITATED OPERATORS PROHIBITED.
§ 670.13 WATER SKIING CONFINED TO SKI ZONES.
§ 670.14 OBSERVER REQUIRED WHEN TOWING SKIER.
§ 670.15 WATER SKIING AFTER DARK PROHIBITED.
§ 670.16 PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE REQUIRED FOR TOWED PERSON.
§ 670.17 SKI JUMPS PROHIBITED.
§ 670.18 PERMIT FOR SPECIAL WATER EVENTS.
§ 670.19 SALE OF SINGLE CELLED INFLATABLE VESSELS PROHIBITED.
§ 670.20 SITTING, STANDING, WALKING ON MOVING VESSELS RESTRICTED.
§ 670.21 ENGINE WARM-UP REQUIRED.
§ 670.22 PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES FOR CHILDREN UNDER TEN.
§ 670.23 OPERATION WITHOUT PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES PROHIBITED.
§ 670.24 DISTRESS SIGNAL OR FLAG REQUIRED.
§ 670.25 ANCHOR REQUIREMENTS.
§ 670.26 SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
§ 670.27 BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL DEVICE REQUIRED.
§ 670.28 VENTILATION REQUIREMENT ON POWERCRAFT.
§ 670.29 ABANDONMENT OF JUNK VESSELS OR OUTBOARD MOTORS.
§ 670.30 EXHAUST MUFFLER REQUIRED; NOISE LEVELS; EXCEPTIONS.
§ 670.31 SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON RENTAL VESSELS.
§ 670.32 CAPACITY PLATE.
§ 670.33 DWELLINGS; SANITARY SYSTEMS.
§ 670.34 PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF NEGLIGENCE.
§ 670.35 REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.
§ 670.36 NUMBERING.
§ 670.37 REGISTRATION.
§ 670.38 ALTERING OF SERIAL NUMBERS; FALSE INFORMATION PROHIBITED.
§ 670.39 ACCIDENT REPORTS.
§ 670.40 ENFORCEMENT.
§ 670.41 CERTIFICATE OF TITLE; EXCEPTIONS.
§ 670.42 MANUFACTURER’S OR IMPORTER’S CERTIFICATE.
§ 670.43 PROHIBITIONS.
§ 670.44 PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
§ 670.45 TAMPERING WITH NAVIGATION AID OR VESSEL PROHIBITED.
CHAPTER 672: WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES
CHAPTER 698: PENALTIES AND SENTENCING
PART EIGHT - BUSINESS REGULATION AND TAXATION CODE
PART TEN - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART TWELVE - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART FOURTEEN - BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE
PART SIXTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
TABLE OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
PARALLEL REFERENCES
Avon Lake, OH Municipal Utilities Regulations
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§ 670.24 DISTRESS SIGNAL OR FLAG REQUIRED.
   (a)   No person shall operate on the waters of Lake Erie or the immediately connecting bays, harbors, and anchorage areas at any time a vessel that is 16 or more feet in length or any vessel carrying six or fewer passengers for hire without carrying Coast Guard approved visual distress signals for both day and night use.
   (b)   No person shall operate upon the waters of Lake Erie or the immediately connecting bays, harbors, and anchorage areas during the period from sunset to sunrise according to local time any of the following without carrying Coast Guard approved visual distress signals for night use:
      (1)   A vessel less than 16 feet in length;
      (2)   A vessel competing in an organized marine parade, race, regatta, or similar event;
      (3)   A manually propelled vessel;
      (4)   A sailboat less than 26 feet in length with completely open construction and without propulsion machinery.
   (c)   No person shall operate a vessel on the waters in this state other than Lake Erie or the immediately connecting bays, harbors, and anchorage areas unless the vessel carries either a distress flag at least two feet square and international orange in color or a Coast Guard approved daytime distress signal.
   (d)   No person shall display any distress signal unless a vessel or a person is in distress and in need of help.
   (e)   Divisions (a) and (c) of this section do not apply to any of the following:
      (1)   Vessels competing in an organized marine parade, race, regatta, or similar event;
      (2)   Manually propelled vessels;
      (3)   Sailboats less than 26 feet in length with completely open construction and without propulsion machinery.
   (f)   The distress signals required by this section shall be in good and serviceable condition, readily accessible, and of the type and quantities required by regulations adopted under 46 U.S.C. § 4302, as amended.
   (g)   No person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel on the waters in this municipality in violation of this section.
(R.C. § 1547.251) (Prior Code, § 670.23)
§ 670.25 ANCHOR REQUIREMENTS.
   (a)   All watercraft, except sailboats less than 16 feet long having a cockpit depth of less than 12 inches and except canoes, shall carry an anchor and line of sufficient weight and length to anchor the watercraft securely. The Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft, by rule, may exempt other types of watercraft from this section after determining that carrying such an anchor and line would constitute a hazard.
   (b)   No person shall operate or permit to be operated any watercraft on the waters in this municipality in violation of this section.
(R.C. § 1547.26) (Prior Code, § 670.24)
§ 670.26 SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
   (a)   Except those powercraft less than 26 feet in length designed for use with an outboard motor, of open construction that is not capable of entrapping explosive or flammable gases or vapors, and not carrying passengers for hire, all powercraft shall carry fire extinguishers as prescribed in this section. The fire extinguishers shall be capable of extinguishing a burning gasoline fire, shall be in such condition as to be ready for immediate and effective use, and shall comply with minimum or higher standards for such extinguishers then prevailing as prescribed by the United States coast guard.
   (b)   Except for vessels subject to exemptions listed in 33 C.F.R. § 175.380 or § 175.380, any vessel not equipped with fixed fire extinguishing systems in machinery spaces shall carry the following:
      (1)   Class A and Class 1 powercraft shall carry at least one 5-B portable fire extinguisher.
      (2)   Class 2 powercraft shall carry at least two 5-B portable fire extinguishers or at least one 20-B portable fire extinguisher.
      (3)   Class 3 powercraft shall carry at least three 5-B portable fire extinguishers, or at least one 5-B portable and one 20-B portable fire extinguishers.
      (4)   Class 4 powercraft shall carry the number and type of 20-B portable fire extinguishers specified by gross tonnage as prescribed by 33 C.F.R. Part 175, Subpart E.
   (c)   All portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers for use on a vessel shall:
      (1)   Be on board the vessel and be readily accessible;
      (2)   Be of an approved type;
      (3)   Not be expired or appear to have been previously used;
      (4)   Be maintained in good and serviceable working condition. As used in division (c)(4) of this section, “good and serviceable working condition” means all of the following:
         A.   If the fire extinguisher has a pressure gauge or indicator, the reading or indicator is in the operable range or position;
         B.   The fire extinguisher’s lock pin is firmly in place;
         C.   The fire extinguisher’s discharge nozzle is clean and free of obstruction;
         D.   The fire extinguisher does not show visible signs of significant corrosion or damage.
   (d)   No person shall operate or permit to be operated on the waters in this municipality any powercraft that does not comply with this section.
(R.C. § 1547.27) (Prior Code, § 670.25)
   (e)   Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. 1547.99(C))
§ 670.27 BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL DEVICE REQUIRED.
   Every gasoline engine installed in a vessel after April 25, 1940, except an outboard motor, shall be equipped with an acceptable device to control backfire flame. The device shall comply with all of the following:
   (a)   Be securely attached to the air intake with a flame-tight connection;
   (b)   Be in proper working order;
   (c)   Be Coast Guard approved or comply with either SAE J1928 or UL 1111;
   (d)   Be marked to indicate approval or compliance under division (c) of this section.
(R.C. § 1547.28) (Prior Code, § 670.26)
§ 670.28 VENTILATION REQUIREMENT ON POWERCRAFT.
   All powercraft using gasoline or other liquid fuel having a flashpoint of less than 110°F. shall be provided with ventilation as follows:
   (a)   At least two ventilators fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the purpose of properly and efficiently ventilating the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment in order to remove any inflammable or explosive gases;
   (b)   Any type of ventilating system approved for use by the United States Coast Guard;
   (c)   The ventilation of the boat is not required where the greater portion of the bilges of the engine and fuel tank compartment is open to the natural atmosphere.
(R.C. § 1547.29) (Prior Code, § 670.27)
§ 670.29 ABANDONMENT OF JUNK VESSELS OR OUTBOARD MOTORS.
   (a)   Law enforcement official may order storage of vessel or outboard motor left on private property; towing by private dock owner.
      (1)   As used in this section:
         LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. Means any organization or unit comprised of law enforcement officers, as defined in R.C. § 2901.01.
         VESSEL OR OUTBOARD MOTOR. Excludes an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor, as defined in division (d) of this section, or any vessel or outboard motor under R.C. § 1547.305.
      (2)   A.   The County Sheriff, Police Chief, or other chief of a law enforcement agency, within the Sheriff’s or Chief’s respective territorial jurisdiction, upon complaint of any person adversely affected, may order into storage any vessel or outboard motor that has been left on private property, other than a private dock or mooring facility or structure, for at least 72 hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property. The Sheriff or Chief, upon complaint of the owner of a marine repair facility or place of storage, may order into storage any vessel or outboard motor that has been left at the facility or place of storage for a longer period than that agreed upon. The place of storage shall be designated by the Sheriff or Chief. When ordering a vessel or motor into storage under division (a)(2)A. of this section, a Sheriff or Chief, whenever possible, shall arrange for the removal of the vessel or motor by a private tow truck operator or towing company.
         B.   1.   Except as provided in division (a)(2)B.4. of this section, no person, without the consent of the owner or other person authorized to give consent, shall moor, anchor, or tie a vessel or outboard motor at a private dock or mooring facility or structure owned by another person if the owner has posted, in a conspicuous manner, a prohibition against the mooring, anchoring, or tying of vessels or outboard motors at the dock, facility, or structure by any person not having the consent of the owner or other person authorized to give consent.
            2.   If the owner of a private dock or mooring facility or structure has posted at the dock, facility, or structure, in a conspicuous manner, conditions and regulations under which the mooring, anchoring, or tying of vessels or outboard motors is permitted at the dock, facility, or structure, no person, except as provided in division (a)(2)B.4. of this section, shall moor, anchor, or tie a vessel or outboard motor at the dock, facility, or structure in violation of the posted conditions and regulations.
            3.   The owner of a private dock or mooring facility or structure may order towed into storage any vessel or outboard motor found moored, anchored, or tied in violation of division (a)(2)B.1. or (a)(2)B.2. of this section, provided that the owner of the dock, facility, or structure posts on it a sign that states that the dock, facility, or structure is private, is visible from all entrances to the dock, facility, or structure, and contains all of the following information:
               a.   The information specified in division (a)(2)B.1. or (a)(2)B.2. of this section, as applicable;
               b.   A notice that violators will be towed and that violators are responsible for paying the cost of the towing;
               c.   The telephone number of the person from whom a towed vessel or outboard motor may be recovered, and the address of the place to which the vessel or outboard motor will be taken and the place from which it may be recovered.
            4.   Divisions (a)(2)B.1. or (a)(2)B.2. of this section do not prohibit a person from mooring, anchoring, or tying a vessel or outboard motor at a private dock or mooring facility or structure if either of the following applies:
               a.   The vessel or outboard motor is disabled due to a mechanical or structural malfunction, provided that the person immediately removes the vessel or outboard motor from the dock, facility, or structure when the malfunction is corrected or when a reasonable attempt has been made to correct it;
               b.   Weather conditions are creating an imminent threat to safe operation of the vessel or outboard motor, provided that the person immediately removes the vessel or outboard motor from the dock, facility, or structure when the weather conditions permit safe operation of the vessel or outboard motor.
            5.   A person whose vessel or outboard motor is towed into storage under division (a)(2)B.3. of this section either shall pay the costs of the towing of the vessel or outboard motor or shall reimburse the owner of the dock or mooring facility or structure for the costs that the owner incurs in towing the vessel or outboard motor.
         C.   Subject to division (a)(3) of this section, the owner of a vessel or motor that has been removed under division (a)(2) of this section may recover the vessel or motor only in accordance with division (a)(6) of this section.
      (3)   If the owner or operator of a vessel or outboard motor that has been ordered into storage under division (a)(2) of this section arrives after the vessel or motor has been prepared for removal, but prior to its actual removal from the property, the owner or operator shall be given the opportunity to pay a fee of not more than one-half of the charge for the removal of vessels or motors under division (a)(2) of this section that normally is assessed by the person who has prepared the vessel or motor for removal, in order to obtain release of the vessel or motor. Upon payment of that fee, the vessel or motor shall be released to the owner or operator, and upon its release, the owner or operator immediately shall move it so that it is not on the private property without the permission of the person having the right to possession of the property, or is not at the facility or place of storage without the permission of the owner, whichever is applicable.
      (4)   The County Sheriff, Police Chief, and each other chief of a law enforcement agency shall maintain a record of vessels or outboard motors that are ordered into storage under division (a)(2)A. of this section. The record shall include an entry for each such vessel or motor that identifies the vessel’s hull identification number or serial number, if any, the vessel’s or motor’s make, model, and color, the location from which it was removed, the date and time of its removal, the telephone number of the person from whom it may be recovered, and the address of the place to which it has been taken and from which it may be recovered. Any information in the record that pertains to a particular vessel or motor shall be provided to any person who, pursuant to a statement the person makes either in person or by telephone, is identified as the owner or operator of the vessel or motor and requests information pertaining to its location.
      (5)   Any person who registers a complaint that is the basis of a Sheriff’s or Chief’s order for the removal and storage of a vessel or outboard motor under division (a)(2)A. of this section shall provide the identity of the law enforcement agency with which the complaint was registered to any person who, pursuant to a statement the person makes, is identified as the owner or operator of the vessel or motor and requests information pertaining to its location.
      (6)   (a)   The owner of a vessel or outboard motor that is ordered into storage under division (a)(2) of this section may reclaim it upon payment of any expenses or charges incurred in its removal, in an amount not to exceed $200, and storage, in an amount not to exceed $5 per 24-hour period, and upon presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the vessel or motor, certificate of United States Coast Guard documentation, or certificate of registration if the vessel or motor is not subject to titling under R.C. § 1548.01.
         (b)   If a vessel or outboard motor that is ordered into storage under division (a)(2)A. of this section remains unclaimed by the owner for 30 days, the procedures established by divisions (b) and (c) of this section shall apply.
         (c)   If a vessel or outboard motor ordered into storage under division (a)(2)B. of this section remains unclaimed for 72 hours after being stored, the tow truck operator or towing company that removed the vessel or outboard motor shall provide notice of the removal and storage to the County Sheriff, Police Chief, or other chief of a law enforcement agency within whose territorial jurisdiction the vessel or outboard motor had been moored, anchored, or tied in violation of division (a)(2)B. of this section. The notice shall be in writing and include the vessel’s hull identification number or serial number, if any, the vessel’s or outboard motor’s make, model, and color, the location from which it was removed, the date and time of its removal, the telephone number of the person from whom it may be recovered, and the address of the place to which it has been taken and from which it may be recovered.
            1.   Upon receipt of the notice, the Sheriff or Chief immediately shall cause a search to be made of the records of the Division of Parks and Watercraft to ascertain the owner and any lienholder of the vessel or outboard motor, and, if known, shall send notice to the owner and lienholder, if any, at the owner’s and lienholder’s last known address by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the vessel or outboard motor will be declared a nuisance and disposed of if not claimed not later than 30 days after the date of the mailing of the notice.
            2.   If the owner or lienholder makes no claim to the vessel or outboard motor within 30 days of the date of the mailing of the notice, the Sheriff or Chief shall file with the Clerk of Courts of the county in which the place of storage is located an affidavit showing compliance with the requirements of division (a)(6)(c) of this section, and the vessel or outboard motor shall be disposed of in accordance with division (c) of this section.
      (7)   No person shall remove, or cause the removal of, any vessel or outboard motor from private property other than in accordance with division (a)(2) of this section or division (b) of this section.
(R.C. § 1547.30)
   (b)   Storage of vessel or motor left in sunken, beached, drifting or docked condition; notice; affidavit; salvage certificate.
      (1)   The County Sheriff, Police Chief, or other chief of a law enforcement agency, within the Sheriff’s or Chief’s respective territorial jurisdiction, or a state highway patrol trooper, upon notification to the Sheriff or Chief of such action and of the location of the place of storage, may order into storage any vessel or outboard motor that has been left in a sunken, beached, or drifting condition for any period of time, or in a docked condition, on a public street or other property open to the public, or upon or within the right-of-way of any waterway, road, or highway, for 48 hours or longer without notification to the Sheriff or Chief of the reasons for leaving the vessel or motor in any such place or condition. The Sheriff or Chief shall designate the place of storage of any vessel or motor ordered removed by the Sheriff or Chief.
      (2)   The Sheriff or Chief shall immediately cause a search to be made of the records of the Division of Parks and Watercraft to ascertain the owner and any lienholder of a vessel or outboard motor ordered into storage by the Sheriff or Chief, and, if known, shall send notice to the owner and lienholder, if any, at the owner’s or lienholder’s last known address by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the vessel or motor will be declared a nuisance and disposed of if not claimed within ten days of the date of mailing of the notice. The owner or lienholder of the vessel or motor may reclaim it upon payment of any expenses or charges incurred in its removal and storage, and presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the vessel or motor, certificate of United States Coast Guard documentation, or certificate of registration if the vessel or motor is not subject to titling under R.C. § 1548.01.
      (3)   If the owner or lienholder makes no claim to the vessel or outboard motor within ten days of the date of mailing of the notice, and if the vessel or motor is to be disposed of at public auction as provided in division (c) of this section, the Sheriff or Chief shall file with the Clerk of Courts of the county in which the place of storage is located an affidavit showing compliance with the requirements of this division (b). Upon presentation of the affidavit, the Clerk of Courts shall without charge issue a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, to the Sheriff or Chief and shall send a copy of the affidavit to the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft. If the vessel or motor is to be disposed of to a marine salvage dealer or other facility as provided in division (c) of this section, the Sheriff or Chief shall execute in triplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft, describing the vessel or motor and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of this division (b) have been complied with. The Sheriff or Chief shall retain the original of the affidavit for the Sheriff’s or Chief’s records and shall furnish two copies to the marine salvage dealer or other facility. Upon presentation of a copy of the affidavit by the marine salvage dealer or other facility, the Clerk of Courts shall issue to such owner a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.
      (4)   Whenever the marine salvage dealer or other facility receives an affidavit for the disposal of a vessel or outboard motor as provided in this division (b), such owner shall not be required to obtain an Ohio certificate of title to the vessel or motor in the owner’s own name if the vessel or motor is dismantled or destroyed and both copies of the affidavit are delivered to the Clerk of Courts. Upon receipt of such an affidavit, the Clerk of Courts shall send one copy of it to the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft.
(R.C. § 1547.301)
   (c)   Disposal of unclaimed vessel or motor.
      (1)   Unclaimed vessels or outboard motors ordered into storage under division (a)(2) of this section or division (b) of this section shall be disposed of at the order of the County Sheriff, the Police Chief, or another chief of a law enforcement agency, in any of the following ways:
         A.   To a marine salvage dealer;
         B.   To any other facility owned, operated, or under contract with the state or the county, municipality, township, or other political subdivision;
         C.   To a charitable organization, religious organization, or similar organization not used and operated for profit;
         D.   By sale at public auction by the Sheriff, the Chief, or an auctioneer licensed under R.C. Chapter 4707, after giving notice of the auction by advertisement, published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or as provided in R.C. § 7.16.
      (2)   Any moneys accruing from the disposition of an unclaimed vessel or motor that are in excess of the expenses resulting from the removal and storage of the vessel or motor shall be credited to the General Revenue Fund or to the General Fund of the county, municipality, township, or other political subdivision, as appropriate.
      (3)   As used in this division (c), CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION has the same meaning as in R.C. § 1716.01.
(R.C. § 1547.302)
   (d)   Disposal of abandoned vessel or motor.
      (1)   As used in this division and division (e) of this section:
         ABANDONED JUNK VESSEL OR OUTBOARD MOTOR. Means any vessel or outboard motor meeting all of the following requirements:
            1.   It has been left on private property for at least 72 hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property; left in a sunken, beached, or drifting condition for any period of time; or left in a docked condition, on a public street or other property open to the public, or upon or within the right- of-way of any waterway, road, or highway, for 48 hours or longer without notification to the County Sheriff, the Police Chief, or other chief of a law enforcement agency having territorial jurisdiction with respect to the location of the vessel or motor, of the reasons for leaving the vessel or motor in any such place or condition;
            2.   It is three years old or older;
            3.   It is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: missing deck, hull, transom, gunwales, motor, or outdrive;
            4.   It is apparently inoperable;
            5.   It has a fair market value of $200 or less.
         LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. Means any organization or unit comprised of law enforcement officers, as defined in R.C. § 2901.01.
      (2)   The County Sheriff, Police Chief, or other chief of a law enforcement agency, within the Sheriff’s or Chief’s respective territorial jurisdiction, or a state highway patrol trooper, upon notification to the Sheriff or Chief of such action, shall order any abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor to be photographed by a law enforcement officer. The officer shall record the make of vessel or motor, the hull identification number or serial number when available, and shall also detail the damage or missing equipment to substantiate the value of $200 or less. The Sheriff or Chief shall thereupon immediately dispose of the abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor to a marine salvage dealer or other facility owned, operated, or under contract to the state, the county, township, or municipality for the destruction of such vessels or motors. The records and photographs relating to the abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor shall be retained by the law enforcement agency ordering the disposition of the vessel or motor for a period of at least two years. The law enforcement agency shall execute in quadruplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft, describing the vessel or motor and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of this section have been complied with, and shall sign and file the same with the Clerk of Courts of the county in which the vessel or motor was abandoned. The Clerk of Courts shall retain the original of the affidavit for the Clerk’s files, shall furnish one copy thereof to the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft, one copy to the marine salvage dealer or other facility handling the disposal of the vessel or motor, and one copy to the law enforcement agency ordering the disposal, who shall file such copy with the records and photographs relating to the disposal. Any moneys arising from the disposal of an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor shall be credited to the General Revenue Fund, or to the General Fund of the county, township, municipality, or other political subdivision, as appropriate.
      (3)   Notwithstanding division (b) of this section, any vessel or outboard motor meeting the requirements of divisions (d)(1)A.3. to (d)(1)A.5. of this section which has remained unclaimed by the owner or lienholder for a period of ten days or longer following notification as provided in division (b) of this section may be disposed of as provided in this division (d).
(R.C. § 1547.303)
   (e)   Abandonment of vessel or motor without notice to law enforcement official prohibited.
      (1)   No person shall purposely leave an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor on private property for more than 72 hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property; in a sunken, beached, or drifting condition for any period of time; or in a docked condition, on a public street or other property open to the public, or upon or within the right-of-way of any waterway, road, or highway, for 48 hours or longer without notification to the County Sheriff, Police Chief or other chief of a law enforcement agency having territorial jurisdiction with respect to the location of the vessel or motor, of the reasons for leaving the vessel or motor in any such place or condition.
      (2)   For purposes of this division (e), the fact that an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor has been so left without permission or notification is prima facie evidence of abandonment.
      (3)   Nothing in this section or R.C. §§ 1547.30, 1547.301, and 1547.303 invalidates the provisions of any ordinance of the municipality regulating or prohibiting the abandonment of vessels or outboard motors on waterways, beaches, docks, streets, highways, public property, or private property within the boundaries of the municipality.
(R.C. § 1547.304)
   (f)   Penalty.
      (1)   Whoever violates division (a)(7) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(R.C. § 1547.99(F))
      (2)   Whoever violates division (e) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and also shall be assessed any costs incurred by the state or a county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision in disposing of an abandoned junk vessel or outboard motor, less any money accruing to the state, county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision from that disposal.
(R.C. § 1547.99(H))
(Prior Code, § 670.28)
Statutory reference:
   Alternate procedure to obtain certificate of title for unclaimed vessel or outboard motor, see R.C. § 1547.305
§ 670.30 EXHAUST MUFFLER REQUIRED; NOISE LEVELS; EXCEPTIONS.
   (a)   Every powercraft operated on the waters in this municipality shall be equipped at all times with a muffler or a muffler system that is in good working order, in constant operation, and effectively installed to prevent excessive or unusual noise.
   (b)   (1)   No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a powercraft on the waters in this municipality in such a manner as to exceed a noise level of 90 decibels on the “A” scale when subjected to a stationary sound level test as prescribed by SAE J2005.
      (2)   No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a powercraft on the waters in this municipality in such a manner as to exceed a noise level of 75 decibels on the “A” scale measured as specified by SAE J1970. Measurement of a noise level of not more than 75 decibels on the “A” scale of a powercraft in operation does not preclude the conducting of a stationary sound level test as prescribed by SAE J2005.
   (c)   No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a powercraft on the waters in this municipality that is equipped with an altered muffler or muffler cutout, or operate or give permission for the operation of a powercraft on the waters in this municipality in any manner that bypasses or otherwise reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of any muffler or muffler system installed in accordance with this section, unless the applicable mechanism has been permanently disconnected or made inoperable.
   (d)   No person shall remove, alter, or otherwise modify in any way a muffler or muffler system in a manner that will prevent it from being operated in accordance with this section.
   (e)   No person shall manufacture, sell, or offer for sale a powercraft that is not equipped with a muffler or muffler system that prevents noise levels in excess of those established in division (b)(1) of this section.
   (f)   This section does not apply to any of the following:
      (1)   A powercraft that is designed, manufactured, and sold for the sole purpose of competing in racing events. The exception established under this division (f)(1) shall be documented in each sale agreement and shall be acknowledged formally by the signatures of the buyer and the seller. The buyer and the seller shall maintain copies of the sale agreement. A copy of the sale agreement shall be kept aboard the powercraft when it is operated. A powercraft to which the exception established under this division (f)(1) applies shall be operated on the waters in this municipality only in accordance with division (f)(2) of this section.
      (2)   A powercraft that is actually participating in a sanctioned racing event or in tune-up periods for a sanctioned racing event on the waters in this municipality and that is being operated in accordance with this division (f)(2). For the purposes of this division (f)(2), a sanctioned racing event is a racing event that is conducted in accordance with § 670.18 or R.C. § 1547.20 or that is approved by the United States Coast Guard. The operator of a powercraft that is operated on the waters in this municipality for the purpose of a sanctioned racing event shall comply with § 670.18 and R.C. § 1547.20 and requirements established under it or with requirements established by the Coast Guard, as appropriate. Failure to comply subjects the operator to this section.
      (3)   A powercraft that is being operated on the waters in this municipality by or for a boat or engine manufacturer for the purpose of testing, development, or both and that complies with this division (f)(3). The operator of such a powercraft shall have aboard at all times and shall produce on demand of a law enforcement officer a current, valid letter issued by the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft in accordance with rules adopted under R.C. § 1547.31(I)(1). Failure to produce the letter subjects the operator to this section.
   (g)   A law enforcement officer who is trained in accordance with rules adopted under R.C. § 1547.31(I)(2) and who has reason to believe that a powercraft is not in compliance with the noise levels established in this section may direct the operator of the powercraft to submit it to an on-site test to measure the level of the noise emitted by the powercraft. The operator shall comply with that direction. The officer may remain aboard the powercraft during the test at the officer’s discretion. If the level of the noise emitted by the powercraft exceeds the noise levels established in this section, the officer may direct the operator to take immediate and reasonable measures to correct the violation, including returning the powercraft to a mooring and keeping it at the mooring until the violation is corrected or ceases.
   (h)   A law enforcement officer who conducts powercraft noise level tests pursuant to this section shall be trained to do so in accordance with rules adopted under R.C. § 1547.31(I)(2).
(R.C. § 1547.31(A) - (H))
   (i)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense. On each subsequent offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 1547.99(J))
(Prior Code, § 670.29)
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