Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
Parma Heights Overview
Parma Heights, OH Code of Ordinances
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARMA HEIGHTS, OHIO
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES OF PARMA HEIGHTS
CHARTER OF PARMA HEIGHTS, OHIO
PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
TITLE ONE - Administration
TITLE THREE - Streets and Traffic Control Devices
TITLE FIVE - Vehicles
CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally
331.01 DRIVING UPON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY; EXCEPTIONS.
331.02 PASSING TO RIGHT WHEN PROCEEDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.
331.03 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT; DRIVER'S DUTIES.
331.04 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO RIGHT OF VEHICLE.
331.05 OVERTAKING, PASSING TO LEFT OF CENTERLINE.
331.06 DRIVING UPON LEFT SIDE OF ROADWAY.
331.07 HAZARDOUS OR NO PASSING ZONES.
331.08 DRIVING WITHIN LANES OR CONTINUOUS LINES OF TRAFFIC.
331.09 FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY.
331.10 TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS.
331.11 TURNING INTO PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, ALLEY OR BUILDING. (REPEALED)
331.12 “U” TURNS RESTRICTED.
331.13 STARTING AND BACKING VEHICLES.
331.14 SIGNALS BEFORE CHANGING COURSE, TURNING OR STOPPING.
331.15 HAND AND ARM SIGNALS.
331.16 RIGHT-OF-WAY AT INTERSECTIONS.
331.165 INTERSECTIONS AT WHICH TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS FAIL OR MALFUNCTION.
331.17 RIGHT-OF-WAY WHEN TURNING LEFT.
331.18 OPERATION OF VEHICLE AT STOP AND YIELD SIGNS.
331.19 OPERATION OF VEHICLE AT STOP SIGNS. (REPEALED)
331.20 EMERGENCY OR PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLES AT STOP SIGNALS OR SIGNS.
331.21 RIGHT-OF-WAY OF PUBLIC SAFETY OR CORONER'S VEHICLE.
331.215 DRIVING WHILE APPROACHING STATIONARY PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE AND CERTAIN OTHER VEHICLES WITH CAUTION.
331.22 RIGHT-OF-WAY AT PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, ALLEY OR BUILDING.
331.225 STOP SIGNS ON PRIVATE ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS.
331.23 EMERGING FROM PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, ALLEY OR BUILDING. (REPEALED)
331.24 RIGHT-OF-WAY OF FUNERAL PROCESSION.
331.25 DRIVER'S VIEW AND CONTROL TO BE UNOBSTRUCTED BY LOAD OR PERSONS.
331.26 DRIVING UPON STREET POSTED AS CLOSED FOR REPAIR.
331.27 FOLLOWING AND PARKING NEAR EMERGENCY OR SAFETY VEHICLES.
331.28 DRIVING OVER FIRE HOSE.
331.29 DRIVING THROUGH SAFETY ZONE.
331.30 ONE-WAY STREETS AND ROTARY TRAFFIC ISLANDS.
331.31 DRIVING UPON DIVIDED ROADWAYS.
331.32 ENTERING AND EXITING CONTROLLED-ACCESS HIGHWAY.
331.33 OBSTRUCTING INTERSECTIONS, CROSSWALKS OR GRADE CROSSINGS.
331.34 WEAVING COURSE.
331.35 SQUEALING TIRES; “PEELING”; CRACKING EXHAUST NOISES.
331.36 DRIVING AND PARKING UPON SIDEWALKS, TREE LAWNS OR CURBS.
331.37 STOPPING FOR SCHOOL BUS; ACTUATING VISUAL SIGNALS; DISCHARGING CHILDREN.
331.38 EVASION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL OR DEVICE.
331.39 FULL TIME AND ATTENTION.
331.40 IMPROPER USE OF NONCOMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES.
331.41 OPERATION ON PATHS SET ASIDE FOR BICYCLES.
331.42 LITTERING FROM MOTOR VEHICLES.
331.43 USE OF EARPHONES WHILE DRIVING.
331.44 PLAYING OF SOUND DEVICES IN MOTOR VEHICLES PROHIBITED.
331.45 TEXT MESSAGING WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE PROHIBITED.
331.46 USE OF ELECTRONIC WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES BY MINORS OR PROBATIONARY DRIVERS WHILE DRIVING PROHIBITED.
331.99 PENALTY.
CHAPTER 333 O.V.I.; Reckless Operation; Speed
CHAPTER 335 Licensing; Accidents
CHAPTER 337 Safety and Equipment
CHAPTER 339 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
CHAPTER 341 Drivers of Commercial Vehicles
CHAPTER 343 Offenses Relating to Theft and Fraud
CHAPTER 345 Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles and All-Purpose Vehicles
TITLE SEVEN - Parking
TITLE NINE - Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motorcycles
PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
PART NINE - STREETS AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
Loading...
331.34   WEAVING COURSE.
   No person shall operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle upon any street or highway in a weaving or zigzag course unless such irregular course is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
331.35   SQUEALING TIRES; “PEELING”; CRACKING EXHAUST NOISES.
   No person shall operate any motor vehicle, except when necessary for safe operation, or in compliance with law, in such a manner that the vehicle is so rapidly accelerated or started from a stopped position, or in the shifting of gears while in motion, that the exhaust system emits a loud, cracking or chattering noise unusual to its normal operation, or that the rubber tires of such vehicle squeal or leave tire marks on the roadway, commonly known as “peeling”.
331.36   DRIVING AND PARKING UPON SIDEWALKS, TREE LAWNS OR CURBS.
   (a)   No person shall drive, stand or park a motor vehicle on a sidewalk, or the curb or gutter line of a street except when entering or leaving a permanent or temporary driveway or at a street intersection crossing.
   (b)   No person shall park in the devil strip or street lawn area, except in areas where parking is authorized by motion of Council.
(Ord. 1956-75. Passed 10-22-56; Ord. 1954-91. Passed 12-6-54.)
331.37   STOPPING FOR SCHOOL BUS; ACTUATING VISUAL SIGNALS; DISCHARGING CHILDREN.
   (a)   The driver of a vehicle, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child, person attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or child attending a program offered by a head start agency, shall stop at least ten feet from the front or rear of the school bus and shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed. It is no defense to a charge under this division that the school bus involved failed to display or be equipped with an automatically extended stop warning sign as required by division (b) of this section.
   (b)   Every school bus shall be equipped with amber and red visual signals meeting the requirements of Ohio R.C. 4511.771 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, and an automatically extended stop warning sign of a type approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, which shall be actuated by the driver of the bus whenever but only whenever the bus is stopped or stopping on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children, persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or children attending programs offered by head start agencies. A school bus driver shall not actuate the visual signals or the stop warning sign in designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway or at school buildings when children or persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities are loading or unloading at curbside or at buildings when children attending programs offered by head start agencies are loading or unloading at curbside. The visual signals and stop warning sign shall be synchronized or otherwise operated as required by the Ohio Administrative Code.
   (c)   Where a highway has been divided into four or more traffic lanes, a driver of a vehicle need not stop for a school bus approaching from the opposite direction which has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child, persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or children attending programs offered by head start agencies. The driver of any vehicle overtaking the school bus shall comply with division (a) above.
   (d)   School buses operating on divided highways or on highways with four or more traffic lanes shall receive and discharge all school children, persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, and children attending programs offered by head start agencies on their residence side of the highway.
   (e)   No school bus driver shall start the driver's bus until after any child, person attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of developmental disabilities, or child attending a program offered by a head start agency who may have alighted therefrom has reached a place of safety on the child's or person's residence side of the road.
   (f)   (1)   Whoever violates division (a) of this section may be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). A person who is issued a citation for a violation of division (a) of this section is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty and waive the person's right to contest the citation in a trial but instead must appear in person in the proper court to answer the charge.
      (2)   In addition to and independent of any other penalty provided by law, the court or Mayor may impose upon an offender who violates this section a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in Ohio R.C. 4510.02(A)(7). When a license is suspended under this section, the court or Mayor shall cause the offender to deliver the license to the court, and the court or Clerk of the Court immediately shall forward the license to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, together with notice of the court's action.
   (g)   As used in this section:
      (1)   “Head start agency” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 3301.32.
      (2)   “School bus” as used in relation to children who attend a program offered by a head start agency, means a bus that is owned and operated by a head start agency, is equipped with an automatically extended stop warning sign of a type approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is painted the color and displays the markings described in Ohio R.C. 4511.77, and is equipped with amber and red visual signals meeting the requirements of Ohio R.C. 4511.77, irrespective of whether or not the bus has 15 or more children aboard at any time. The term does not include a van owned and operated by a head start agency, irrespective of its color, lights or markings..
(ORC 4511.75)
331.38   EVASION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL OR DEVICE.
   (a)   No person operating a motor vehicle shall, within 500 feet of an intersection at which a traffic control signal or device has been installed, drive across or through property not open for use as a public street and thereby transfer the operation of the motor vehicle from the street which was originally traveled to another street.
   (b)   It shall be a violation of this section if either of the streets mentioned above is within the City. This section shall have no application if the operation prohibited herein shall have been directed by a police officer, by appropriate traffic control signals or devices or if the person operating the motor vehicle shall have stopped his vehicle and turned off his motor while on such property not devoted to use as a public street.
(Ord. 1959-86. Passed 11-23-59.)
331.39   FULL TIME AND ATTENTION.
   An operator shall, when operating a vehicle in and upon the streets and highways of the City, give his full time and attention to the operation of such vehicle.
(Ord. 1966-69. Passed 8-22-66.)
331.40   IMPROPER USE OF NONCOMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES.
   No person shall use a motor vehicle registered as a noncommercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 301.205, for other than the purposes set forth in that section.
(ORC 4503.05)
331.41   OPERATION ON PATHS SET ASIDE FOR BICYCLES.
   (a)   (1)   No person shall operate a motor vehicle, snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, when an appropriate sign giving notice of that use is posted on the path.
      (2)   Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any rule of the Director of Natural Resources governing the operation of motor vehicles, snowmobiles, all-purpose vehicles and bicycles on lands under the Director’s jurisdiction.
   (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.
   (c)   If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under R.C. § 4511.991.
(R.C. § 4511.713)
331.42   LITTERING FROM MOTOR VEHICLES.
   (a)   No operator or occupant of a motor vehicle shall, regardless of intent, throw, drop, discard, or deposit litter from any motor vehicle in operation upon any street, road, or highway, except into a litter receptacle in a manner that prevents its being carried away or deposited by the elements.
   (b)   No operator of a motor vehicle in operation upon any street, road, or highway shall allow litter to be thrown, dropped, discarded, or deposited from the motor vehicle, except into a litter receptacle in a manner that prevents its being carried away or deposited by the elements.
   (c)   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.
(ORC 4511.82)
331.43   USE OF EARPHONES WHILE DRIVING.
   (a)   As used in this section:
      (1)   “Earphones.” Any device that covers all or a portion of both ears and that does either of the following:
         A.   Through either a physical connection to another device or a wireless connection, provides the listener with radio programs, music, or other information;
         B.   Provides hearing protection.
   “Earphones” does not include speakers or other listening devices that are built into protective headgear.
      (2)   “Earplugs.” Any device that can be inserted into one or both ears and that does either of the following:
         A.   Through either a physical connection to another device or a wireless connection, provides the listener with radio programs, music, or other information;
         B.   Provides hearing protection.
   (b)   No person shall operate a motor vehicle while wearing earphones over, or earplugs in, both ears.
   (c)   This section does not apply to:
      (1)   Any person wearing a hearing aid;
      (2)   Law enforcement personnel while on duty;
      (3)   Fire Department personnel and emergency medical service personnel while on duty;
      (4)   Any person engaged in the operation of equipment for use in the maintenance or repair of any highway;
      (5)   Any person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment;
      (6)   Any person wearing earphones or earplugs for hearing protection while operating a motorcycle.
   (d)   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.
(R.C. § 4511.84)
331.44   PLAYING OF SOUND DEVICES IN MOTOR VEHICLES PROHIBITED.
   (a)   No person shall play any radio, music player, CD player, audio system, or any other sound device by whatever name called, in a motor vehicle on any road or at any place open to the public at such volume as to disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities or at a volume which is plainly audible to persons other than the occupants of said vehicle.
   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor for the first offense. For each subsequent offense, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 2000-37. Passed 8-21-00.)
331.45   TEXT MESSAGING WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE PROHIBITED.
   (a)   No person shall drive a motor vehicle, trackless trolley or streetcar on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text based communication.
   (b)   As used in this section, "electronic wireless communication device" includes any of the following:
      (1)   A wireless telephone;
      (2)   A text-messaging device;
      (3)   A personal digital assistant;
      (4)   A computer, including a laptop computer and a computer tablet; and
      (5)   Any other substantially similar wireless device that is designed to be used to communicate text or data.
   (c)   "Voice-operated or hands-free device" means a device that allows the user to vocally compose or send, or to listen to a text-based communication without the use of either hand, except to activate or deactivate a feature or function.
   (d)   "Write, send or read a text based communication" means to manually write or send, or read a text based communication using an electronic wireless communication device, including writing or sending or reading communications referred to as text messages, instant messages or electronic mail.
   (e)   Division (a) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
      (1)   A person using a handheld electronic wireless communications device in that manner for emergency purposes, including an emergency contact with a law enforcement agency, hospital or health care provider, fire department, or other similar emergency agency or entity;
      (2)   A person driving a public safety vehicle who uses a handheld electronic wireless communications device in that manner in the course of the person's duties;
      (3)   A person using a handheld electronic wireless communications device in that manner whose motor vehicle is in a stationary position and who is outside a lane of travel;
      (4)   A person reading, selecting, or entering a name or telephone number in a handheld electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call;
      (5)   A person receiving wireless messages on a device regarding the operation or navigation of a motor vehicle; safety-related information, including emergency, traffic, or weather alerts; or data used primarily by the motor vehicle;
      (6)   A person receiving wireless messages via radio waves;
      (7)   A person using a device for navigation purposes;
      (8)   A person conducting wireless interpersonal communication with a device that does not require manually entering letters, numbers, or symbols or reading text messages, except to activate, deactivate, or initiate the device or a feature or function of the device;
      (9)   A person operating a commercial truck while using a mobile data terminal that transmits and receives data; and
      (10)   A person using a handheld electronic wireless communications device in conjunction with a voice-operated or hands-free device feature or function of the vehicle.
   (f)   Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause an operator of an automobile being operated on any street or highway to stop the automobile for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of division (a) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of that nature or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of that nature, and no law enforcement officer shall view the interior or visually inspect any automobile being operated on any street or highway for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of that nature has been or is being committed.
   (g)   Whoever violates division (a) of this section shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense, two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second offense and no more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each subsequent offense.
   (h)   No holder of a temporary instruction permit who has not attained the age of 18 years and no holder of a probationary driver's license shall drive a motor vehicle on any street, highway, or property used by the public for purposes of vehicular traffic or parking while using in any manner an electronic wireless communications device.
   (i)   Division (h) of this section does not apply to either of the following:
      (1)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device for emergency purposes, including an emergency contact with a law enforcement agency, hospital or health care provider, fire department, or other similar emergency agency or entity;
      (2)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device whose motor vehicle is in a stationary position and the motor vehicle is outside a lane of travel; or
      (3)   A person using a navigation device in a voice-operated or hands-free manner who does not manipulate the device while driving.
   (j)   (1)   Except as provided in division (j)(2) of this section, whoever violates division (h) of this section shall be fined one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). In addition, the court shall impose a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's license or permit for a definite period of 60 days.
      (2)   If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section, whoever violates this section shall be fined three hundred dollars ($300.00). In addition, the court shall impose a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's license or permit for a definite period of one year.
   (k)   As used in this section, "electronic wireless communications device" includes any of the following:
      (1)   A wireless telephone;
      (2)   A personal digital assistant;
      (3)   A computer, including a laptop computer and a computer tablet;
      (4)   A text-messaging device; or
      (5)   Any other substantially similar electronic wireless device that is designed or used to communicate via voice, image, or written word.
(Ord. 2012-27. Passed 6-11-12.)
331.46   USE OF ELECTRONIC WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES BY MINORS OR PROBATIONARY DRIVERS WHILE DRIVING PROHIBITED.
   (a)   No holder of a temporary instruction permit who has not attained the age of 18 years and no holder of a probationary driver's license shall drive a motor vehicle on any street, highway, or property used by the public for purposes of vehicular traffic or parking while using in any manner an electronic wireless communications device.
   (b)   Division (a) of this section does not apply to either of the following:
      (1)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device for emergency purposes, including an emergency contact with a law enforcement agency, hospital or health care provider, fire department, or other similar emergency agency or entity;
      (2)   A person using an electronic wireless communications device whose motor vehicle is in a stationary position and the motor vehicle is outside a lane of travel;
      (3)   A person using a navigation device in a voice-operated or hands-free manner who does not manipulate the device while driving.
   (c)   (1)   Except as provided in division (c)(2) of this section, whoever violates division (a) of this section shall be fined one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). In addition, the court shall impose a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's license or permit for a definite period of 60 days.
      (2)   If the person previously has been adjudicated a delinquent child or a juvenile traffic offender for a violation of this section, whoever violates this section shall be fined three hundred dollars ($300.00). In addition, the court shall impose a class seven suspension of the person’s driver’s license or permit for a definite period of one year.
   (d)   The filing of a sworn complaint against a person for a violation of this section does not preclude the filing of a sworn complaint for a violation of R.C. § 4511.205 for the same conduct. However, if a person is adjudicated a delinquent child or a juvenile traffic offender for a violation of this section and is also adjudicated a delinquent child or a juvenile traffic offender for a violation of R.C. § 4511.205 for the same conduct, the two offenses are allied offenses of similar import under R.C. § 2941.25.
   (e)   As used in this section, “electronic wireless communications device” includes any of the following:
      (1)   A wireless telephone;
      (2)   A personal digital assistant;
      (3)   A computer, including a laptop computer and a computer tablet;
      (4)   A text-messaging device;
      (5)   Any other substantially similar electronic wireless device that is designed or used to communicate via voice, image, or written word.
(R.C. § 4511.205)
Loading...