(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. The same meaning as in R.C. § 2743.01.
VOLUNTEER. A person who is not paid for service or who is employed on less than a permanent full-time basis.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, no political subdivision shall require any of its employees, as a condition of employment, to reside in any specific area of the state.
(C) (1) Division (B) of this section does not apply to a volunteer.
(2) To ensure adequate response times by certain employees of political subdivisions to emergencies or disasters while ensuring that those employees generally are free to reside throughout the state, the electors of any political subdivision may file an initiative petition to submit a local law to the electorate, or the legislative authority may adopt an ordinance or resolution, that requires any individual employed by that political subdivision, as a condition of employment, to reside either in the county where the political subdivision is located or in any adjacent county in this state. For purposes of this section, an initiative petition shall be filed and considered as provided in R.C. §§ 731.28 and 731.31, except that the Fiscal Officer of the political subdivision shall take the actions prescribed for the Auditor or Fiscal Officer if the political subdivision has no Auditor or Fiscal Officer, and except that references to a municipal corporation shall be considered to be references to the applicable political subdivision.
(D) Except as otherwise provided in division (C), employees of political subdivisions of this state have the right to reside any place they desire.
(R.C. § 9.481)