Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
Portsmouth Overview
Codified Ordinances of Portsmouth, OH
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
ADOPTING ORDINANCE
EDITOR'S NOTE
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES OF PORTSMOUTH
CHARTER
SECTION 1. ENUMERATED CORPORATE POWERS.
SECTION 2. ENUMERATED POWERS NOT EXCLUSIVE.
SECTION 3. POWERS, ELECTION, TERM, VACANCIES.
SECTION 3(a). CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE.
SECTION 4. MEETINGS OF COUNCIL.
SECTION 5. PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL; MAYOR.
SECTION 6. SALARY OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL.
SECTION 7. CITY CLERK.
SECTION 8. RULES OF COUNCIL.
SECTION 9. QUORUM, VOTING OF MEMBERS.
SECTION 9-a. ALTERATION OF WORDS "FOUR MEMBERS".
SECTION 10. LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE.
SECTION 11. AMENDING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
SECTION 12. WHEN ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS TAKE EFFECT.
SECTION 13. AUTHENTICATION AND PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
SECTION 14. POWER TO INITIATE ORDINANCES.
SECTION 15. CONSIDERATION OF INITIATED ORDINANCE BY COUNCIL.
SECTION 16. SUBMISSION OF INITIATED ORDINANCE TO ELECTORS.
SECTION 17. ELECTION ON INITIATED ORDINANCE.
SECTION 18. INITIATED ORDINANCE PASSED BY COUNCIL IN AMENDED FORM.
SECTION 19. INITIATED REPEALING ORDINANCES.
SECTION 20. POWER OF REFERENDUM.
SECTION 21. REFERENDUM PETITION.
SECTION 22. CONSIDERATION OF REFERRED ORDINANCE BY COUNCIL REFERENDUM ELECTION.
SECTION 23. FORM OF BALLOT FOR INITIATED AND REFERRED ORDINANCES.
SECTION 24. PRELIMINARY ACTION UNDER REFERRED ORDINANCE.
SECTION 25. REFERENDUM ON ORDINANCES.
SECTION 26. CONFLICT OF REFERRED MEASURES.
SECTION 27. SIGNATURES TO INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL PETITIONS.
SECTION 28. FILING, EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION OF INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL PETITIONS.
SECTION 29. AMENDMENT OF INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL PETITIONS.
SECTION 30. THE CITY MANAGER.
SECTION 31. RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGER - POWERS OF APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL.
SECTION 32. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
SECTION 33. COUNCIL NOT TO INTERFERE IN APPOINTMENTS OR REMOVALS.
SECTION 34. DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER.
SECTION 35. RIGHT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS IN COUNCIL.
SECTION 36. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENTS.
SECTION 37. ONE PERSON AS HEAD OF TWO OR MORE OFFICES.
SECTION 38. NUMBER OF ASSISTANTS AND SUBORDINATES, HOW FIXED.
SECTION 39. ADVISORY BOARDS.
SECTION 40. INVESTIGATIONS BY COUNCIL OR CITY MANAGER.
SECTION 41. ELECTION, QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF CITY SOLICITOR.
SECTION 42. ELECTION, QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF CITY AUDITOR.
SECTION 43. MONTHLY STATEMENT BY CITY AUDITOR.
SECTION 44. SPECIAL AUDITS.
SECTION 45. PURCHASING AGENT.
SECTION 46. PURCHASING AND FURNISHING SUPPLIES.
SECTION 47. FISCAL YEAR.
SECTION 47-a. ANNUAL TAX LEVY.
SECTION 47-b. TAX LEVY FOR BONDS AND NOTES.
SECTION 47-c. INCOME TAX AUTHORIZATION.
SECTION 47-d. SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME TAX AUTHORIZATION.
SECTION 47-e. SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME TAX AUTHORIZATION FOR SAFETY FORCES.
SECTION 47-f. SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME TAX AUTHORIZATION FOR SAFETY FORCES. (POLICE AND FIRE)
SECTION 47-g. SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME TAX AUTHORIZATION FOR GENERAL MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS.
SECTION 48. ANNUAL BUDGET.
SECTION 49. ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.
SECTION 50. PRELIMINARY APPROPRIATIONS.
SECTION 51. TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS.
SECTION 52. APPROPRIATIONS OF EXCESS REVENUE.
SECTION 53. EXPENDITURES ONLY PURSUANT TO APPROPRIATIONS.
SECTION 54. APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTS.
SECTION 55. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
SECTION 56. EXAMINATION AND INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS.
SECTION 57. MONEY REQUIRED TO BE IN TREASURY.
SECTION 58. WHEN CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS ARE INVALID.
SECTION 59. ACCOUNTS OF PUBLICLY OWNED UTILITIES.
SECTION 60. SINKING FUND.
SECTION 61. CONTRACTS.
SECTION 62. ALTERATION IN CONTRACTS.
SECTION 63. COMPOSITION, POWERS AND DUTIES.
SECTION 76. COMPENSATION ESTABLISHED BY COUNCIL.
SECTION 80. POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS PROHIBITED.
SECTION 81. CERTAIN POLITICAL PRACTICE FORBIDDEN.
SECTION 82. POLITICAL ACTIVITY PROHIBITED.
SECTION 83. VIOLATION AND PENALTIES.
SECTION 84. PRESENT EMPLOYEES CONTINUED.
SECTION 85. CANDIDACY FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PROHIBITED.
SECTION 86. CONTROL OF PUBLIC HEALTH BY CITY.
SECTION 87. POLICE FORCE.
SECTION 88. SPECIAL POLICEMEN.
SECTION 89. FIRE FORCE.
SECTION 90. LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.
SECTION 91. METHODS OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.
SECTION 92. PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION.
SECTION 93. PLAN OF PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS.
SECTION 94. NOTICES SERVED.
SECTION 95. BOARD OF REVISION OF ASSESSMENTS.
SECTION 96. CLAIMS OF DAMAGE.
SECTION 97. FINAL ASSESSMENT.
SECTION 98. PAYMENT OF ASSESSMENTS - LIENS.
SECTION 99. DAMAGES ASSESSED BEFORE IMPROVEMENT.
SECTION 100. DAMAGES ASSESSED AFTER IMPROVEMENT.
SECTION 101. LIMITATION ON DAMAGE SUITS.
SECTION 102. WORK TO BE DONE.
SECTION 103. LANDS UNALLOTTED OR NOT ON DUPLICATE.
SECTION 104. WHAT COST OF IMPROVEMENT SHALL INCLUDE.
SECTION 105. LIMITATION ON ASSESSMENTS. IMPROVEMENT ON PETITION OF ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS.
SECTION 106. CITY'S PORTION OF COST.
SECTION 107. REPLACING EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS.
SECTION 108. ESTIMATE OF LIFE OF IMPROVEMENTS.
SECTION 109. REBATES AND SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENTS.
SECTION 110. SEWER, WATER AND OTHER CONNECTIONS.
SECTION 111. SIDEWALKS, CURBINGS AND GUTTERS.
SECTION 112. CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALK, ETC., BY CITY.
SECTION 113. ASSESSMENT BONDS FOR SIDEWALKS, ETC.
SECTION 114. HOW CONSTITUTED, PROCEDURE AND EMPLOYEES.
SECTION 115. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
SECTION 116. RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMISSION.
SECTION 117. PLAT OF SUBDIVISION.
SECTION 118. APPROVAL OF PLATS.
SECTION 119. OFFICIAL MAP.
SECTION 120. ZONING - BOARD OF APPEALS.
SECTION 121. EFFECT OF PLATTING.
SECTION 122. ALTERATION OF STREETS.
SECTION 123. DEDICATION OF STREETS.
SECTION 124. CREATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF STREETS.
SECTION 125. APPROPRIATION AUTHORIZED.
SECTION 126. DECLARATORY RESOLUTION.
SECTION 127. NOTICE TO OWNERS.
SECTION 128. FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.
SECTION 129. FRANCHISE DEFINED.
SECTION 130. GRANTS, AMENDMENTS AND RENEWALS OF FRANCHISES.
SECTION 131. REVOCABLE PERMITS NOT FRANCHISES.
SECTION 132. PASSAGE OF FRANCHISE ORDINANCES.
SECTION 133. PUBLIC UTILITY RATES; RESERVED RIGHTS OF CITY.
SECTION 134. VALUE OF GRANT EXCLUDED.
SECTION 135. EXTENSIONS.
SECTION 136. CERTIFIED COPIES OF GRANTS, ETC.
SECTION 137. NO EXCLUSIVE GRANT.
SECTION 138. CONSENT OF PROPERTY OWNERS.
SECTION 139. PUBLIC UTILITY FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES.
SECTION 140. LIMITATION OF FRANCHISE.
SECTION 141. FREE CARRIAGE OF POLICEMEN AND FIREMEN.
SECTION 142. GENERAL PROVISION.
SECTION 143. GENERAL LAWS TO APPLY.
SECTION 144. PETITIONS FOR PLACE ON PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT.
SECTION 145. BALLOTS.
SECTION 146. ROTATION OF NAMES.
SECTION 147. SPECIAL ELECTION OFFICIALS.
SECTION 147-a. PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
SECTION 148. REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
SECTION 149. CHALLENGERS AND WITNESSES.
SECTION 150. RECALL PETITION PAPERS.
SECTION 151. FILING RECALL PETITION.
SECTION 152. RECALL ELECTION ORDERED.
SECTION 153. CANDIDATES TO SUCCEED COUNCILMAN RECALLED.
SECTION 154. BALLOTS IN RECALL ELECTIONS.
SECTION 155. RESULT OF RECALL ELECTION; FILLING VACANCIES.
SECTION 156. ELECTION WHEN MEMBER RESIGNS.
SECTION 157. LIMITATIONS ON RECALL PETITIONS.
SECTION 158. COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
SECTION 159. OFFICIAL BONDS.
SECTION 160. OATH OF OFFICE.
SECTION 161. FINANCIAL INTEREST IN CONTRACTS, ETC.
SECTION 162. CONTINUANCE OF PRESENT OFFICERS.
SECTION 163. CONTINUANCE OF CONTRACTS.
SECTION 164. HOURS OF LABOR.
SECTION 165. GENERAL LAWS TO APPLY.
SECTION 166. AMENDMENTS.
SECTION 167. SAVING CLAUSE.
SECTION 168. WHEN PROVISIONS TAKE EFFECT.
PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
CHARTER
OF THE CITY
OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO
   EDITOR'S NOTE: The Charter was originally adopted on November 6, 1928. Dates appearing in parentheses following a section heading indicate those provisions were subsequently adopted, amended or repealed on the date given.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CORPORATE POWERS
   Sec. 1.    Enumerated Corporate Powers.
   Sec. 2.      Enumerated Powers Not Exclusive.
 
THE COUNCIL
   Sec. 3.      Powers, Election, Term, Vacancies. (Amended 11-5-85; 5-7-02; 5-2-11)
   Sec. 3a.     Charter Review Committee. (3-15-16)
   Sec. 4.      Meetings of Council. (5-2-89; 11-8-11; 3-17-20)
   Sec. 5.      President of Council; Mayor. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 6.      Salary of Council Members and President of Council. (11-5-13)
   Sec. 7.      City Clerk.
   Sec. 8.      Rules of Council. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 9.      Quorum, Voting of Members.
   Sec. 9-a.   Alteration of Words "Four Members". (Adopted 11-4-52; 3-17-20)
   Sec. 10.   Legislative Procedure.
   Sec. 11.   Amending Ordinances and Resolutions.
   Sec. 12.   When Ordinances and Resolutions Take Effect.
   Sec. 13.   Authentication and Publication of Ordinances and Resolutions. (11-5-02; 11-8-11)
 
THE INITIATIVE
   Sec. 14.   Power to Initiate Ordinances.
   Sec. 15.   Consideration of Initiated Ordinance by Council.
   Sec. 16.   Submission of Initiated Ordinance to Electors.
   Sec. 17.   Election on Initiated Ordinance.
   Sec. 18.   Initiated Ordinance Passed By Council in Amended Form.
   Sec. 19.   Initiated Repealing Ordinances.
 
THE REFERENDUM
   Sec. 20.   Power of Referendum.
   Sec. 21.   Referendum Petition. (Adopted 11-4-41.)
   Sec. 22.   Consideration of Referred Ordinance by Council - Referendum Election.
   Sec. 23.   Form of Ballot For Initiated and Referred Ordinances. (5-7-02)
   Sec. 24.   Preliminary Action Under Referred Ordinance.
   Sec. 25.   Referendum on Ordinances.
   Sec. 26.   Conflict of Referred Measures.
 
INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL PETITIONS
   Sec. 27.   Signatures to Initiative, Referendum and Recall Petitions.
   Sec. 28.   Filing, Examination and Certification of Initiative, Referendum and Recall Petitions (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 29.   Amendment of Initiative, Referendum and Recall Petitions.
 
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE
   Sec. 30.   The City Manager. (11-5-13)
   Sec. 31.   Responsibility of Manager - Powers of Appointment and Removal. (11-5-13)
   Sec. 32.   Removal of Officers and Employees.
   Sec. 33.   Council Not to Interfere in Appointments or Removals.(11-8-11)
   Sec. 34.   Duties of the City Manager.(11-8-11)
   Sec. 35.   Right of Certain Officers in Council.
   Sec. 36.   Establishment of Departments. (3-15-16)
   Sec. 37.   One Person as Head of Two or More Offices. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 38.   Number of Assistants and Subordinates, How Fixed. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 39.   Advisory Boards. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 40.   Investigations by Council or City Manager. (11-8-11)
 
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
   Sec. 41.   Election, Qualifications and Duties of City Solicitor. (Adopted 11-5-13.)
 
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE - FINANCIAL PROCEDURE
   Sec. 42.   Election, Qualifications and Duties of City Auditor. (Adopted 11-5-13.)
   Sec. 43.   Monthly Statement by City Auditor.
   Sec. 44.   Special Audits. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 45.   Purchasing Agent. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 46.   Purchasing and Furnishing Supplies. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
 
FINANCIAL PROCEDURE
   Sec. 47.   Fiscal Year. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 47-a.   Annual Tax Levy. (Adopted 5-5-53.)
   Sec. 47-b.   Tax Levy for Bonds and Notes. (Adopted 5-5-53.)
   Sec. 47-c.   Income Tax Authorization. (Adopted 5-5-70; 11-8-11.)
   Sec. 47-d.   Supplemental Income Tax Authorization. (Amended 6-8-76; 11-8-11.)
   Sec. 47-e.   Supplemental Income Tax Authorization for Safety Forces.
   Sec. 47-f.   Supplemental Income Tax Authorization for Safety Forces. (Police and Fire) (Enacted 11-8-11)
   Sec. 47-g.   Supplemental Income Tax Authorization for General Municipal Operations. (5-5-15)
   Sec. 48.   Annual Budget. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 49.   Annual Appropriation Ordinance. (11-8-16)
   Sec. 50.   Preliminary Appropriations. (11-8-16)
   Sec. 51.   Transfer of Appropriations.
   Sec. 52.   Appropriations of Excess Revenue.
   Sec. 53.   Expenditures Only Pursuant to Appropriations.
   Sec. 54.   Appropriation Accounts.
   Sec. 55.   Payment of Claims Against the City. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 56.   Examination and Investigation of Claims.
   Sec. 57.   Money Required to Be in Treasury.
   Sec. 58.   When Contracts and Agreements Are Invalid.
   Sec. 59.   Accounts of Publicly Owned Utilities.
   Sec. 60.   Sinking Fund. (5-7-02)
   Sec. 61.   Contracts. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 62.   Alteration in Contracts. (11-8-11)
 
MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
   Sec. 63.    Composition, Powers and Duties. (Adopted 11-4-41.)
   Sec. 64-75.   EDITOR'S NOTE: There are no sections 64 through 75.
   Sec. 76.   Compensation Established by Council. (Adopted 11-4-41; 11-8-11)
   Sec. 77-79.   EDITOR'S NOTE: There are no sections 77 through 79.
   Sec. 80.   Political Assessments Prohibited.
   Sec. 81.   Certain Political Practice Forbidden.
   Sec. 82.   Political Activity Prohibited.
   Sec. 83.   Violation and Penalties. (Adopted 11-4-41.)
   Sec. 84.   Present Employees Continued.
   Sec. 85.   Candidacy For Elective Office Prohibited. (5-7-02)
 
PUBLIC HEALTH
   Sec. 86.   Control of Public Health By City.
 
POLICE AND FIRE SERVICE
   Sec. 87.   Police Force. (Amended 11-3-87; 11-8-11)
   Sec. 88.   Special Policemen. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 89.   Fire Force (Amended 11-3-87; 11-8-11.)
 
IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS
   Sec. 90.   Local Improvements.
   Sec. 91.   Methods of Special Assessment.
   Sec. 92.   Preliminary Resolution.
   Sec. 93.   Plan of Proposed Improvements.
   Sec. 94.   Notices Served.
   Sec. 95.   Board of Revision of Assessments. (11-5-02; 11-8-11)
   Sec. 96.   Claims of Damage.
   Sec. 97.   Final Assessment.
   Sec. 98.   Payment of Assessments - Liens.
   Sec. 99.   Damages Assessed Before Improvement.
   Sec. 100.   Damages Assessed After Improvement.
   Sec. 101.   Limitation on Damage Suits.
   Sec. 102.   Work to Be Done. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 103.   Lands Unallotted or Not on Duplicate.
   Sec. 104.   What Cost of Improvement Shall Include.
   Sec. 105.   Limitation on Assessments. Improvement on Petition of Abutting Property Owners.
   Sec. 106.   City's Portion of Cost.
   Sec. 107.   Replacing Existing Improvements.
   Sec. 108.   Estimate of Life of Improvements. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 109.   Rebates and Supplementary Assessments.
   Sec. 110.   Sewer, Water and Other Connections. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 111.   Sidewalks, Curbings and Gutters.
   Sec. 112.   Construction of Sidewalk, etc., by City. (Adopted 11-4-75.)
   Sec. 113.   Assessment Bonds For Sidewalk, etc.
 
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
   Sec. 114.   How Constituted, Procedure and Employees. (11-5-02; 11-8-11))
   Sec. 115.   Duties of the Commission.
   Sec. 116.   Recommendations of Commission.
   Sec. 117.   Plat of Subdivision.
   Sec. 118.   Approval of Plats.
   Sec. 119.   Official Map.
   Sec. 120.   Zoning - Board of Appeals. (Adopted 11-5-68; 11-5-02.)
   Sec. 121.   Effect of Platting.
   Sec. 122.   Alteration of Streets.
   Sec. 123.   Dedication of Streets.
   Sec. 124.   Creation or Change of Name of Streets.
 
APPROPRIATION OF PROPERTY
   Sec. 125.   Appropriation Authorized.
   Sec. 126.   Declaratory Resolution.
   Sec. 127.   Notice to Owners.
   Sec. 128.   Further Proceedings.
 
FRANCHISES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES
   Sec. 129.   Franchise Defined.
   Sec. 130.   Grants, Amendments and Renewals of Franchises.
   Sec. 131.   Revocable Permits Not Franchises.
   Sec. 132.   Passage of Franchise Ordinances. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 133.   Public Utility Rates; Reserved Rights of City.
   Sec. 134.   Value of Grant Excluded.
   Sec. 135.   Extensions.
   Sec. 136.   Certified Copies of Grants, etc.
   Sec. 137.   No Exclusive Grant.
   Sec. 138.   Consent of Property Owners.
   Sec. 139.   Public Utility Fixtures and Appliances.
   Sec. 140.   Limitation of Franchise.
   Sec. 141.   Free Carriage of Policemen and Firemen. (5-7-02)
   Sec. 142.   General Provision.
 
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
   Sec. 143.   General Laws to Apply. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 144.   Petitions for Place on Primary Election Ballot. (11-5-74; 5-7-02; 11-4-03; 11-5-13.)
   Sec. 145.   Ballots. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 146.   Rotation of Names. (11-4-52; 5-7-02.)
   Sec. 147.   Special Election Officials. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 147a.   Primary Elections. (3-15-16)
   Sec. 148.   Regular Municipal Election. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 149.   Challengers and Witnesses.
 
THE RECALL
   Sec. 150.   Recall Petition Papers. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 151.   Filing Recall Petition. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 152.   Recall Election Ordered. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 153.   Candidates to Succeed Councilman Recalled. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 154.   Ballots in Recall Elections. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 155.   Result of Recall Election; Filling Vacancies. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
   Sec. 156.   Election When Member Resigns.
   Sec. 157.   Limitations on Recall Petitions. (Adopted 11-4-52.)
 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
   Sec. 158.   Compensation of Officers and Employees.
   Sec. 159.   Official Bonds. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 160.   Oath of Office.
   Sec. 161.   Financial Interest in Contracts, etc. (11-8-11)
   Sec. 162.   Continuance of Present Officers.
   Sec. 163.   Continuance of Contracts.
   Sec. 164.   Hours of Labor. (Adopted 5-2-72; 11-8-11; 5-2-17.)
   Sec. 165.   General Laws to Apply.
   Sec. 166.   Amendments. (Adopted 11-2-71.)
   Sec. 167.   Saving Clause.
   Sec. 168.   When Provisions Take Effect.
CHARTER OF THE CITY
OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO
CORPORATE POWERS
SECTION 1. ENUMERATED CORPORATE POWERS.
   The inhabitants of the City of Portsmouth, within the limits as now established, or as hereafter established in the manner provided by law, shall be a body politic and corporate by name the City of Portsmouth, and as such shall have perpetual succession; may use a corporate seal; may sue and be sued; may acquire or appropriate property within or without its limits for any municipal purpose in fee simple or lesser interest or estate by purchase, gift, device, appropriation, lease, or lease with privilege to purchase, and may sell, lease, hold, manage, and control such property and make any and all rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution which may be required to carry out fully all the provisions of any conveyance, deed, or will, in relation to any gift or bequest, or the provisions of any lease by which it may acquire property; may acquire, appropriate, construct, own, lease, operate and regulate public utilities; may assess, levy, and collect taxes for general and special purposes on all the subjects or objects which the City may lawfully tax; may borrow money on the faith and credit of the City by the issue or sale of bonds or notes of the City; may appropriate the money of the City for all lawful purposes; may create, provide for, construct, regulate and maintain all things of the nature of public works and improvements; may levy and collect assessments for local improvement; may license and regulate persons, corporations and associations engaged in any business, occupation, profession or trade; may define, supervise, regulate, prohibit, abate, suppress and prevent all things detrimental to the health, morals, comfort, safety, convenience and welfare of the inhabitants of the City, and all nuisances and causes thereof; may regulate the construction, height, and the material used in the construction of all buildings, and the location, maintenance and occupancy thereof; may regulate and control the use for whatever purposes, of its streets and other public places; may create, establish, organize and abolish offices and fix the salaries and compensation of all officers and employees; may make and enforce local police, sanitary and other similar regulations; may pass such ordinances as may be expedient for maintaining the peace, good government and welfare of the City, and for the performance of the functions thereof; and shall have all powers that now are, or hereafter may be granted to municipalities by the constitution and laws of Ohio.
SECTION 2. ENUMERATED POWERS NOT EXCLUSIVE.
   The enumeration of particular powers by this Charter shall not be held or deemed to be exclusive but, in addition to the powers enumerated therein, implied thereby, or appropriate to the exercise thereof, it is intended that the City of Portsmouth shall have, and may exercise, all powers which, under the constitution of Ohio, it would be competent for this Charter specifically to enumerate. All powers of the City, whether expressed or implied, shall be exercised in the manner prescribed by this Charter, or, if not prescribed therein, then in the manner provided by ordinance or resolution of the Council.
COUNCIL
Loading...