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Norton Overview
Norton, Ohio Code of Ordinances
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF NORTON, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
DIRECTORY OF OFFICIALS (2025)
PRELIMINARY UNIT
CHARTER
PART TWO - ADMINISTRATION CODE
PART FOUR - TRAFFIC CODE
TITLE TWO - Administration, Enforcement and Penalties
TITLE FOUR - Public Ways and Traffic Control Devices
TITLE SIX - Operation and Vehicles
CHAPTER 432 Operation Generally
CHAPTER 434 O.V.I.; Reckless Operation; Speed
CHAPTER 436 Licensing; Accidents
CHAPTER 438 Safety and Equipment
438.01 DRIVING UNSAFE VEHICLES; APPLICATION.
438.02 LIGHTED LIGHTS; MEASUREMENT OF DISTANCES AND HEIGHTS.
438.03 HEADLIGHTS ON MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES.
438.04 TAIL LIGHT; ILLUMINATION OF REAR LICENSE PLATE.
438.05 REAR RED REFLECTORS.
438.06 SAFETY LIGHTING ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.
438.07 OBSCURED LIGHTS ON VEHICLES IN COMBINATION.
438.08 RED LIGHT OR RED FLAG ON EXTENDED LOADS.
438.09 LIGHTS ON PARKED OR STOPPED VEHICLES.
438.10 LIGHTS, EMBLEMS, AND REFLECTORS ON SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES, FARM MACHINERY, AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS, AND ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES.
438.11 SPOTLIGHT AND AUXILIARY LIGHTS.
438.12 COWL, FENDER AND BACK-UP LIGHTS.
438.13 TWO LIGHTS DISPLAYED.
438.14 USE OF HEADLIGHT BEAMS.
438.15 LIGHTS OF LESS INTENSITY ON SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES.
438.16 NUMBER OF LIGHTS PERMITTED; RED AND FLASHING LIGHTS.
438.165 LIGHTS AND SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES ON CORONERS' VEHICLES.
438.17 VEHICLES TRANSPORTING PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.
438.18 FOCUS AND AIM OF HEADLIGHTS.
438.19 MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTORCYCLE BRAKES.
438.20 HORN, SIREN AND THEFT ALARM SIGNAL.
438.21 MUFFLER; MUFFLER CUTOUT; EXCESSIVE SMOKE, GAS OR NOISE.
438.22 REAR-VIEW MIRROR; CLEAR VIEW TO FRONT, BOTH SIDES AND REAR.
438.23 WINDSHIELD REQUIRED; SIGN OR POSTER UPON WINDSHIELD; WINDSHIELD WIPER.
438.24 TINTED GLASS; MATERIALS ON GLASS.
438.25 LIMITED LOAD EXTENSION ON LEFT SIDE OF PASSENGER VEHICLE.
438.26 MOTOR VEHICLE STOP LIGHTS.
438.27 BUMPERS.
438.28 AIR CLEANER REQUIRED.
438.29 USE OF CHILD RESTRAINTS.
438.30 USE OF OCCUPANT RESTRAINING DEVICES.
438.31 IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES. (REPEALED)
438.32 PASSENGERS ON MOVING VEHICLES.
438.33 AIR BAGS.
438.99 PENALTY.
CHAPTER 440 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
CHAPTER 442 Drivers of Commercial Vehicles
CHAPTER 444 Bicycles and Motorcycles Generally
CHAPTER 446 Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles and All-Purpose Vehicles
CHAPTER 448 Transportation of Hazardous Wastes
TITLE EIGHT - Parking
PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART EIGHT - BUSINESS REGULATION AND TAXATION CODE
PART TEN - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART TWELVE - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART FOURTEEN - BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE
PART SIXTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
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438.11 SPOTLIGHT AND AUXILIARY LIGHTS.
   (a)   (1)   Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one spotlight and every lighted spotlight shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle, nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.
      (2)   Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than three auxiliary driving lights mounted on the front of the vehicle. Any such lights which do not conform to the specifications for auxiliary driving lights and the regulations for their use prescribed by the Director of Public Safety shall not be used.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.12)
438.12 COWL, FENDER AND BACK-UP LIGHTS.
   (a)   (1)   Any motor vehicle may be equipped with side cowl or fender lights which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
      (2)   Any motor vehicle may be equipped with lights on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
      (3)   Any motor vehicle may be equipped with back-up lights, either separately or in combination with another light. No back-up lights shall be continuously lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.13)
438.13 TWO LIGHTS DISPLAYED.
   (a)   At all times mentioned in Ohio R.C. 4513.03 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, at least two lighted lights shall be displayed, one near each side of the front of every motor vehicle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.14)
438.14 USE OF HEADLIGHT BEAMS.
   (a)   Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in Ohio R.C. 4513.03 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons, vehicles and substantial objects at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements:
      (1)   Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver.
      (2)   Every new motor vehicle registered in this State which has multiple-beam road lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlights is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. This indicator shall be so designed and located that, when lighted, it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.15)
438.15 LIGHTS OF LESS INTENSITY ON SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES.
   (a)   Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in Ohio R.C. 4513.03 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance when it is equipped with two lighted lights upon the front thereof capable of revealing persons and substantial objects 75 feet ahead, in lieu of lights required in Ohio R.C. 4513.14 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, provided that such vehicle shall not be operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.16)
438.16 NUMBER OF LIGHTS PERMITTED; RED AND FLASHING LIGHTS.
   (a)   Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlights is also equipped with any auxiliary lights or spotlight or any other light on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of five of any such lights on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when the vehicle is upon a highway.
   (b)   Any lighted light or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than headlights, spotlights, signal lights, or auxiliary driving lights, that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
   (c)   (1)   Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles, except as a means for indicating a right or a left turn, or in the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, or overtaking or passing.
      (2)   The prohibition in division (c)(1) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
         A.   Emergency vehicles, road service vehicles servicing or towing a disabled vehicle, stationary waste collection vehicles actively collecting garbage, refuse, trash, or recyclable materials on the roadside, rural mail delivery vehicles, vehicles as provided in R.C. § 4513.182, highway maintenance vehicles, and similar equipment operated by state or local authorities, provided such vehicles are equipped with and display, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light;
         B.   Vehicles or machinery permitted by R.C. § 4513.111 to have a flashing red light;
         C.   Farm machinery and vehicles escorting farm machinery, provided such machinery and vehicles are equipped with and display, when used on a street or highway, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light. Farm machinery also may display the lights described in R.C. § 4513.111.
         D.   A funeral hearse or funeral escort vehicle, provided that the funeral hearse or funeral escort vehicle is equipped with and displays, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating purple or amber light.
         E.   A vehicle being used for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities, as those terms are defined in R.C. § 5502.21, that is equipped with and displays, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber or red and white light, provided that the vehicle is being operated by a person from one of the following and the vehicle is clearly marked with the applicable agency's or authority's insignia:
            1.   The Ohio Emergency Management Agency;
            2.   A countywide emergency management agency established under R.C. § 5502.26;
            3.   A regional authority for emergency management established under R.C. § 5502.27;
            4.   A program for emergency management established under R.C. § 5502.271.
      (3)   Division (c)(1) of this section does not apply to animal-drawn vehicles subject to R.C. § 4513.114.
   (d)   (1)   Except a person operating a public safety vehicle, as defined in R.C. § 4511.01(E), an emergency management agency vehicle, as described in division (c)(2)E. of this section, or a school bus, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any public street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with and displaying a flashing red or a flashing combination red and white light, or an oscillating or rotating red light, or a combination red and white oscillating or rotating light.
      (2)   Except a public law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, operating a public safety vehicle when on duty, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with, or upon which is mounted, and displaying a flashing blue or a flashing combination blue and white light, or an oscillating or rotating blue light, or a combination blue and white oscillating or rotating light.
   (e)   This section does not prohibit the use of warning lights required by law or the simultaneous flashing of turn signals on disabled vehicles or on vehicles being operated in unfavorable atmospheric conditions in order to enhance their visibility. This section also does not prohibit the simultaneous flashing of turn signals or warning lights whether on farm machinery or vehicles escorting farm machinery when used on a street or highway.
   (f)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.17)
438.165 LIGHTS AND SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES ON CORONERS' VEHICLES.
   (a)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a motor vehicle operated by a coroner, deputy coroner or coroner's investigator may be equipped with a flashing, oscillating or rotating red or blue light and siren, whistle or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet. Such a vehicle may display the flashing, oscillating or rotating red or blue light and may give the audible signal of the siren, whistle or bell only when responding to a fatality or a fatal motor vehicle accident on a street or highway and only at those locations where the stoppage of traffic impedes the ability of the coroner, deputy coroner or coroner's investigator to arrive at the site of the fatality.
   (b)   This section does not relieve the coroner, deputy coroner or coroner's investigator operating a motor vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway.
   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.171)
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