(A) No person, firm, or corporation shall transport over the improved public streets, alleys, intercounty highways, state highways, bridges, or culverts, in any vehicle propelled by muscular, motor, or other power, any burden, including weight of vehicle and load, greater than the following:
(1) In vehicles having metal tires three inches or less in width, a load of 500 pounds for each inch of the total width of tire on all wheels.
(2) When the tires on these vehicles exceed three inches in width, an additional load of 800 pounds shall be permitted for each inch by which the total width of the tires on all wheels exceeds 12 inches.
(B) In vehicles having tires of rubber or other similar substances, for each inch of the total width of tires on all wheels, shall be as follows.
(1) For tires three inches in width, a load of 450 pounds.
(2) For tires 3-1/2 inches in width, a load of 450 pounds.
(3) For tires four inches in width, a load of 500 pounds.
(4) For tires five inches in width, a load of 600 pounds.
(5) For tires six inches and over in width, a load of 650 pounds.
(C) The total width of tires on all wheels shall be, in case of solid tires of rubber or other similar substance, the actual width in inches of all these tires between the flanges at the base of the tires, but in no event shall that portion of the tire coming in contact with the road surface be less than two-thirds the width so measured between the flanges.
(D) In the case of pneumatic tires, of rubber or other similar substance, the total width of tires on all wheels shall be the actual width of all these tires, measured at the widest portion thereof when inflated and not bearing a load.
(E) In no event shall the load, including the proportionate weight of vehicle that can be concentrated on any wheel, exceed 650 pounds to each inch in width of the tread as defined in this section for solid tires, or each inch in the actual diameter of pneumatic tires measured when inflated and not bearing a load.
(R.C. § 5577.03) (Ord. 23-1961, passed 10-3-61)
(F) Whoever violates the weight provisions of this section shall be fined $25 for the first 2,000 pounds, or fraction thereof, of overload; for overloads in excess of 2,000 pounds, but not in excess of 5,000 pounds, the persons shall be fined $25, and in addition thereto $1 per 100 pounds overload; for overloads in excess of 5,000 pounds, but not in excess of 10,000 pounds, the person shall be fined $25 and in addition thereto $2 per 100 pounds of overload, or imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both. For all overloads in excess of 10,000 pounds the person shall be fined $25 and in addition thereto $3 per 100 pounds of overload, or imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both. Whoever violates the weight provisions of vehicle and load relating to gross load limits shall be fined not less than $100. No penalty prescribed herein shall be imposed on any vehicle combination if the overload on any axle does not exceed 1,000 pounds, and if the immediately preceding or following axle, excepting the front axle of the vehicle combination, is underloaded by the same or a greater amount. For purposes of this division, two axles on one vehicle less than eight feet apart, shall be considered as one axle.
(G) Whoever violates any other provision of this section shall be fined not more than $25 for a first offense; for a second offense within one year thereafter, the person shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $100 or imprisoned not more than ten days, or both; for a third or subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both.
(R.C. § 5577.99(A), (B))