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All offenses committed under laws in force prior to the effective date of this code shall be prosecuted and remain punishable as provided by those laws. This code does not affect any rights or liabilities accrued, penalties incurred, or proceedings begun prior to the effective date of this code. The liabilities, proceedings and rights are continued; punishments, penalties, or forfeitures shall be enforced and imposed as if this code had not been enacted. In particular, any agreement granting permission to utilize highway rights-of-way, contracts entered into or franchises granted, the acceptance, establishment or vacation of any highway, and the election of corporate officers shall remain valid in all respects, as if this code had not been enacted.
(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.
(R.C. § 1.47)
(B) An ordinance is presumed to be prospective in its operation unless expressly made retrospective.
(R.C. § 1.48)
(C) If an ordinance is ambiguous, the court, in determining the intention of the Legislative Authority, 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.
(R.C. § 1.49)
(A) Whenever, in this municipal code 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 $500, 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 this code shall not subject the officer or employee to the penalty imposed for a violation unless a penalty is specifically provided for such failure.
Cross-reference:
Misdemeanor classifications, see § 130.99
Statutory reference:
Ordinance violations and penalties, see R.C. § 715.67