452.01 PROHIBITION AGAINST PARKING ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS.

(a) (1) Upon any highway, no person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the paved or main traveled part of the highway if it is practicable to stop, park, or so leave such vehicle off the paved or main traveled part of the highway. In every event a clear and unobstructed portion of the highway opposite such standing vehicle shall be left for the free passage of other vehicles, and a clear view of such stopped vehicle shall be available from a distance of 200 feet in each direction upon such highway.

(2) This section does not apply to the driver of any vehicle which is disabled while on the paved or improved or main traveled portion of a highway in such manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the disabled vehicle in such position.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(ORC 4511.66)

452.02 POLICE MAY REMOVE ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE.

(a) Whenever any police officer finds a vehicle standing upon a highway in violation of Ohio R.C. 4511.66 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, such officer may move such vehicle, or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move the same, to a position off the paved or improved or main traveled part of such highway.

(b) Whenever any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any highway, bridge, or causeway, or in any tunnel, where such vehicles constitutes an obstruction to traffic, such officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle to the nearest garage or other place of safety.

(ORC 4511.67)

452.03 PROHIBITED STANDING OR PARKING PLACES.

(a) No person shall stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the provisions of this title, or while obeying the directions of a police officer or a traffic-control device, in any of the following places:

(1) On a sidewalk, except as provided in division (b) of this section;

(2) In front of a public or private driveway;

(3) Within an intersection;

(4) Within ten feet of a fire hydrant;

(5) On a crosswalk;

(6) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;

(7) Within 30 feet of, and upon the approach to, any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control device;

(8) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless a different length is indicated by a traffic-control device;

(9) Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;

(10) Within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to any fire station and, on the side of the street opposite the entrance to any fire station, within 75 feet of the entrance when it is properly posted with signs;

(11) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such standing or parking would obstruct traffic;

(12) Alongside any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;

(13) Upon any bridge or elevated structure upon a highway, or within a highway tunnel;

(14) At any place where signs prohibit stopping;

(15) Within one foot of another parked vehicle;

(16) On the roadway portion of a freeway, expressway, or thruway.

(ORC 4511.68)

(17) Within the area necessary to access a mailbox for the purpose of delivering mail.

(Ord. 33-2001. Passed 5-29-01.)

(b) A person is permitted, without charge or restriction, to stand or park on a sidewalk a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter that has an engine not larger than 150 cubic centimeters, a low-speed micromobility device, or a bicycle or electric bicycle, provided that the motor-driven cycle, motor scooter, low-speed micromobility device, bicycle, or electric bicycle does not impede the normal flow of pedestrian traffic. This division does not authorize any person to operate a vehicle in violation of R.C. § 4511.711, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(ORC 4511.68)

452.04 MANNER OF PARALLEL AND ANGLE PARKING; PRIVILEGES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

(a) Every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there is an adjacent curb shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle parallel with and not more than 12 inches from the right-hand curb, unless it is impossible to approach so close to the curb; in such case the stop shall be made as close to the curb as possible and only for the time necessary to discharge and receive passengers or to load or unload merchandise. Local authorities by ordinance may permit angle parking on any roadway under their jurisdiction, except that angle parking shall not be permitted on a state route within the Municipality unless an unoccupied roadway width of not less than 25 feet is available for free-moving traffic.

(b) Local authorities by ordinance may permit parking of vehicles with the left-hand wheels adjacent to and within 12 inches of the left-hand curb of a one-way roadway.

(c) (1) A. Except as provided in division (c)(1)B. of this section, no vehicle shall be stopped or parked on a road or highway with the vehicle facing in a direction other than the direction of travel on that side of the road or highway.

B. The operator of a motorcycle may back the motorcycle into an angled parking space so that when the motorcycle is parked it is facing in a direction other than the direction of travel on the side of the road or highway.

(2) The operator of a motorcycle may back the motorcycle into a parking space that is located on the side of, and parallel to, a road or highway. The motorcycle may face any direction when so parked. Not more than two motorcycles at a time shall be parked in a parking space as described in this division (c)(2) of this section irrespective of whether or not the space is metered.

(d) Notwithstanding any statute or any rule, regulation, resolution, or ordinance, air compressors, tractors, trucks, and other equipment, while being used in the construction, reconstruction, installation, repair, or removal of facilities near, on, over, or under a street or highway, may stop, stand, or park where necessary in order to perform such work, provided a flagperson is on duty or warning signs or lights are displayed as may be prescribed by the Director of Transportation.

(e) Accessible parking locations and privileges for persons with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk shall be provided and designated by all political subdivisions and by the state and all agencies and instrumentalities thereof at all offices and facilities where parking is provided, whether owned, rented or leased, and at all publicly owned parking garages. The locations shall be designated through the posting of an elevated sign, whether permanently affixed or movable, imprinted with the international symbol of access and shall be reasonably close to exits, entrances, elevators and ramps. All elevated signs posted in accordance with this division and R.C. § 3781.111(C) shall be mounted on a fixed or movable post, and the distance from the ground to the bottom edge of the sign shall measure not less than five feet. If a new sign or a replacement sign designating an accessible parking location is posted on or after October 14, 1999, there also shall be affixed upon the surface of that sign or affixed next to the designating sign a notice that states the fine applicable for the offense of parking a motor vehicle in the designated accessible parking location if the motor vehicle is not legally entitled to be parked in that location.

(f) (1) A. No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle at accessible parking locations provided under division (e) of this section, or at accessible clearly marked parking locations provided in or on privately owned parking lots, parking garages or other parking areas and designated in accordance with that division, unless one of the following applies:

1. The motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk and is displaying a valid removable windshield placard or accessible license plates; or

2. The motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability and is displaying a parking card or accessible license plates.

B. Any motor vehicle that is parked in an accessible marked parking location in violation of division (f)(1)A.1. or (f)(1)A.2. of this section may be towed or otherwise removed from the parking location by the law enforcement agency of the municipality. A motor vehicle that is so towed or removed shall not be released to its owner until the owner presents proof of ownership of the motor vehicle and pays all towing and storage fees normally imposed by the municipality for towing and storing motor vehicles. If the motor vehicle is a leased vehicle, it shall not be released to the lessee until the lessee presents proof that that person is the lessee of the motor vehicle and pays all towing and storage fees normally imposed by the municipality for towing and storing motor vehicles.

C. If a person is charged with a violation of division (f)(1)A.1. or (f)(1)A.2. of this section, it is an affirmative defense to the charge that the person suffered an injury not more than 72 hours prior to the time the person was issued the ticket or citation and that, because of the injury, the person meets at least one of the criteria contained in R.C. § 4503.44(A)(1).

(2) No person shall stop, stand, or park any motor vehicle in an area that is commonly known as an access aisle, which area is marked by diagonal stripes and is located immediately adjacent to an accessible parking location provided under division (e) of this section or at an accessible clearly marked parking location provided in or on a privately owned parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area and designated in accordance with that division.

(g) When a motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk and is displaying a removable windshield placard or accessible license plates, or when a motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability and is displaying a parking card or accessible license plates, the motor vehicle is permitted to park for a period of two hours in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police rules provide otherwise or where the vehicle is parked in such a manner as to be clearly a traffic hazard.

(h) No owner of an office, facility or parking garage where accessible parking locations are required to be designated in accordance with division (e) of this section shall fail to properly mark the accessible parking locations in accordance with that division or fail to maintain the markings of the accessible locations, including the erection and maintenance of the fixed or movable signs.

(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a person or organization to apply for a removable windshield placard or accessible license plates if the parking card or accessible license plates issued to the person or organization under prior law have not expired or been surrendered or revoked.

(j) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

(1) “Accessible license plates” and “removable windshield placard.” Any license plates, standard removable windshield placard, permanent removable windshield placard, or temporary removable windshield placard issued under R.C. § 4503.41 or 4503.44, and also mean any substantially similar license plates or removable windshield placard issued by a state, district, country, or sovereignty.

(2) “Person with a disability.” Any person who has lost the use of one or both legs or one or both arms, who is blind, deaf or unable to move without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair, or whose mobility is restricted by a permanent cardiovascular, pulmonary or other disabling condition.

(3) “Person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk.” Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4503.44.

(k) Penalty.

(1) Whoever violates division (a) or (c) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(2) A. Whoever violates division (f)(1)A.1. or (f)(1)A.2. of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in division (k)(2)A. and B. of this section. Except as otherwise provided in division (k)(2)A. of this section, an offender who violates division (f)(1)A.1. or (f)(1)A.2. of this section shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). An offender who violates division (f)(1)A.1. or (f)(1)A.2. of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) if the offender, prior to sentencing, proves either of the following to the satisfaction of the court:

1. At the time of the violation of division (f)(1)A.1. of this section, the offender or the person for whose transport the motor vehicle was being operated had been issued a removable windshield placard that then was valid or accessible license plates that then were valid but the offender or the person neglected to display the placard or license plates as described in division (f)(1)A.1. of this section.

2. At the time of the violation of division (f)(1)A.2. of this section, the offender or the person for whose transport the motor vehicle was being operated had been issued a parking card that then was valid or accessible license plates that then were valid but the offender or the person neglected to display the card or license plates as described in division (f)(1)A.2. of this section.

B. In no case shall an offender who violates division (f)(1)A.1. or (f)(1)A.2. be sentenced to any term of imprisonment.

C. An arrest or conviction for a violation of division (f)(1)A.1. or (f)(1)A.2. of this section does not constitute a criminal record and need not be reported by the person so arrested or convicted in response to any inquiries contained in any application for employment, license, or other right or privilege, or made in connection with the person’s appearance as a witness.

D. The Clerk of the Court shall pay every fine collected under divisions (k)(2) and (k)(3) of this section to the Municipality. Except as provided in division (k)(2) of this section, the Municipality shall use the fine moneys it receives under divisions (k)(2) and (k)(3) of this section to pay the expenses it incurs in complying with the signage and notice requirements contained in division (e) of this section. The Municipality may use up to 50% of each fine it receives under divisions (k)(2) and (k)(3) of this section to pay the costs of educational, advocacy, support, and assistive technology programs for persons with disabilities, and for public improvements within the Municipality that benefit or assist persons with disabilities, if governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations offer the programs.

(3) Whoever violates division (f)(2) of this section shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). In no case shall an offender who violates division (f)(2) of this section be sentenced to any term of imprisonment. An arrest or conviction for a violation of division (f)(2) of this section does not constitute a criminal record and need not be reported by the person so arrested or convicted in response to any inquiries contained in any application for employment, license, or other right or privilege, or made in connection with the person’s appearance as a witness.

(4) Whoever violates division (h) of this section shall be punished as follows:

A. Except as otherwise provided in division (k)(4) of this section, the offender shall be issued a warning.

B. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (h) of this section or of a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to that division, the offender shall not be issued a warning but shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each parking location that is not properly marked or whose markings are not properly maintained.

(R.C. § 4511.69)

452.05 WILLFULLY LEAVING VEHICLES ON PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PROPERTY.

(a) The Police Chief, upon notification to the Police Chief of such action and of the location of the place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, including an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in R.C. § 4513.63, that:

(1) Has come into the possession of the Police chief as a result of the performance of the Police Chief’s duties; or

(2) Has been left on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, for 48 hours or longer without notification to the Police Chief of the reasons for leaving the motor vehicle in such place. However, when such a motor vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic it may be ordered into storage immediately unless either of the following applies:

A. The vehicle was involved in an accident and is subject to R.C. § 4513.66, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance;

B. The vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle. If the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, the Police Chief shall allow the owner or operator of the vehicle the opportunity to arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle within a period of time specified by the Police Chief. If the Police Chief determines that the vehicle cannot be removed within the specified period of time, the Police Chief shall order the removal of the vehicle.

(3) Subject to division (c) of this section, the Police Chief shall designate the place of storage of any motor vehicle so ordered removed.

(b) If the Police Chief issues an order under division (a) of this section and arranges for the removal of a motor vehicle by a towing service, the towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the Police Chief not more than two hours after the time it is removed.

(c) (1) The Police Chief shall cause a search to be made of the records of an applicable entity listed in R.C. § 4513.601(F)(1) to ascertain the identity of the owner and any lienholder of a motor vehicle ordered into storage by the Police Chief within five business days of the removal of the vehicle. Upon obtaining such identity, the Police Chief shall send or cause to be sent to the owner and any lienholder at the owner’s and any lienholder’s last known address by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt. The notice shall inform the owner and any lienholder that the motor vehicle will be declared a nuisance and disposed of if not claimed within ten days of the date of the sending of the notice.

(2) A. The owner or lienholder of the motor vehicle is responsible for payment of any expenses or charges incurred in its removal and storage and may reclaim the motor vehicle upon payment of those expenses or charges, and presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title or memorandum certificate of title to the motor vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement. Upon presentation of proof of ownership evidenced as provided above, the owner of the motor vehicle also may retrieve any personal items from the vehicle without retrieving the vehicle and without paying any fee. However, a towing service or storage facility may charge an after-hours retrieval fee established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25 if the owner retrieves the personal items after hours, unless the towing service or storage facility fails to provide the notice required under R.C. § 4513.69(B)(3), if applicable. However, the owner shall not do either of the following:

1. Retrieve any personal item that has been determined by the Police Chief to be necessary to a criminal investigation;

2. Retrieve any personal item from a vehicle if it would endanger the safety of the owner, unless the owner agrees to sign a waiver of liability.

B. For purposes of division (c)(2) of this section, “personal items” do not include any items that are attached to the vehicle.

(3) If the owner or lienholder of the motor vehicle reclaims it after a search of the applicable records has been conducted and after notice has been sent to the owner and any lienholder as described in this section, and the search was conducted by the place of storage, and the notice was sent to the motor vehicle owner by the place of storage, the owner or lienholder shall pay to the place of storage a processing fee of $25, in addition to any expenses or charges incurred in the removal and storage of the vehicle.

(d) If the owner or lienholder makes no claim to the motor vehicle within ten days of the date of sending the notice, and if the vehicle is to be disposed of at public auction as provided in R.C. § 4513.62 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the Police Chief, without charge to any party, shall file with the clerk of courts of the county in which the place of storage is located an affidavit showing compliance with the requirements of this section. Upon presentation of the affidavit, the clerk, without charge, shall issue a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, to the Police Chief. If the vehicle is to be disposed of to a motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility as provided in R.C. § 4513.62 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the Police Chief shall execute in triplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, describing the motor vehicle and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of this section have been complied with. The Police Chief shall retain the original of the affidavit for the Police Chief’s records, and shall furnish two copies to the motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility. Upon presentation of a copy of the affidavit by the motor vehicle salvage dealer, the clerk of courts, within 30 days of the presentation, shall issue a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

(e) Whenever a motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility receives an affidavit for the disposal of a motor vehicle as provided in this section, the dealer or facility shall not be required to obtain an Ohio certificate of title to the motor vehicle in the dealer’s or facility’s own name if the vehicle is dismantled or destroyed and both copies of the affidavit are delivered to the clerk of courts.

(f) No towing service or storage facility shall fail to comply with this section.

(R.C. § 4513.61)

(g) (1) A. No person shall willfully leave an abandoned junk motor vehicle, as defined in R.C. § 4513.63, on private property for more than 72 hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, or on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway for 48 hours or longer without notification to the Police Chief of the reason for leaving the motor vehicle in that place.

B. For purposes of this division (g)(1), the fact that a motor vehicle has been so left without permission or notification is prima facie evidence of abandonment.

C. Nothing contained in this section and R.C. §§ 4513.60, 4513.61 and 4513.63 shall invalidate or prevent the enactment of further provisions of municipal ordinances regulating or prohibiting the abandonment of motor vehicles on streets, highways, public property or private property within the municipality.

(2) Whoever violates this division (g) is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall also be assessed any costs incurred by the municipality in disposing of the abandoned junk motor vehicle, less any money accruing to the municipality from the disposal.

(R.C. § 4513.64)

Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken. For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588.

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