(A) Weight of load; width of tire. No person, firm or corporation shall transport over the improved public streets, alleys, intercounty highways, state highways, bridges or culverts in this municipality, in any vehicle propelled by muscular, motor or other power, any burden, including weight of vehicle and load, greater than the following:
(1) (a) In vehicles having metal tires three inches or less in width, a load of 500 pounds for each inch of the total width of the tire on all wheels;
(b) When the tires on such 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.
(2) In vehicles having tires of rubber or other similar substance, for each inch of the total width of tires on all wheels, as follows:
Tire Width Load Limit
(in inches) (in pounds)
3 450
3½ 450
4 500
5 600
6 and over 650
(3) The total width of tires on all wheels shall be, in the case of solid tires of rubber or other similar substance, the actual width in inches of all such tires between the flanges at the base of the tires, but in no event shall that portion of tire coming in contact with the road surface be less than two-thirds the width so measured between the flanges.
(4) 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 such tires, measured at the widest portion thereof when inflated and not bearing a load.
(5) 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 division (A) for solid tires, for each inch in the actual diameter of pneumatic tires measured when inflated and not bearing a load.
(R.C. § 5577.03)
(B) Whoever violates the weight provisions of this section shall be fined $80 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, such person shall be fined $100, and in addition thereto $1 per 100 pounds of overload; for overloads in excess of 5,000 pounds but not in excess of 10,000 pounds, such person shall be fined $130, 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, such person shall be fined $160, 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 in this division (B)(2) shall be imposed on any vehicle combination if the overload on any one 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 greater amount. For purposes of this division (B)(2), two axles on one vehicle less than eight feet apart shall be considered as one axle.
(R.C. § 5577.99(A))
(C) Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than $25 for a first offense; for a second offense within one year thereafter, such 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, such 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(C))