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(a) In enacting an ordinance, it is presumed that:
(1) Compliance with the constitutions of the State and of the United States is intended;
(2) The entire ordinance is intended to be effective;
(3) A just and reasonable result is intended;
(4) A result feasible of execution is intended.
(ORC 1.47)
(b) An ordinance is presumed to be prospective in its operation unless expressly made retrospective.
(ORC 1.48)
(c) If an ordinance is ambiguous, the court, in determining the intention of Council may consider among other matters:
(1) The object sought to be attained;
(2) The circumstances under which the ordinance was enacted;
(3) The legislative history;
(4) The common law or former legislative provisions, including laws upon the same or similar subjects;
(5) The consequences of a particular construction;
(6) The administrative construction of the ordinance.
(ORC 1.49)
If any provisions of a section of the Codified Ordinances or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the section or related sections which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions are severable.
(ORC 1.50)
(a) Whenever, in the Codified Ordinances or in any ordinance of the Municipality, any act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, or whenever the doing of any act is required or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful, where no specific penalty is otherwise provided, whoever violates any such provision shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00), a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation continues or occurs.
(b) The failure of any officer or employee of the Municipality to perform any official duty imposed by the Codified Ordinances shall not subject the officer or employee to the penalty imposed for a violation unless a penalty is specifically provided for such failure.
Statutory reference:
Ordinance violations and penalties, see Ohio R.C. 715.67