(a) No person shall, regardless of intent, throw, drop, discard, place or deposit litter or cause litter to be thrown, dropped, discarded, placed or deposited on any public property, on private property not owned by him, or in or on waters of the State, the Municipality or waters not owned by him, unless the person has:
(1) Been directed to do so by a public official as part of a litter collecting drive.
(2) Thrown, dropped, discarded, placed or deposited the litter in a litter receptacle in a manner that prevents its being carried away by the elements; or
(3) Been issued a permit or license covering the litter pursuant to Ohio R.C. Chapter 3734 or 6111.
(b) As used in this section, "litter" means garbage, trash, waste, rubbish, ashes, cans, bottles, wire, paper, cartons, boxes, automobile parts, furniture, glass or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature. "Litter" also means newspapers or periodicals deposited on or delivered to property within the Municipality after notice to the publisher of such newspaper or periodical that the owner or lawful occupant of such property does not want such newspaper or periodical deposited on or delivered to such property.
(c) No person shall cause or allow litter to be collected or remain in any place to the damage or prejudice of others or of the public, or unlawfully obstruct, impede, divert, corrupt or render unwholesome or impure, any natural watercourse.
(d) No person, firm or corporation, being the publisher of a newspaper or periodical, shall deposit or deliver, or cause to be deposited or delivered, that newspaper or periodical on or to any property within the Municipality after such publisher has been notified in writing, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the desire of the owner or lawful occupant of that property not to have such newspaper or periodical deposited on or delivered to such property.
(e) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. The sentencing court may, in addition to or in lieu of the penalty provided in this subsection, require a person who violates subsection (a) hereof to remove litter from any public or private property, or in or on any waters.
(f) Whoever violates subsections (c) and (d) hereof is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (Ord. 935-6-93. Passed 6-22-93.)