(a) The City Manager may establish regulations for the parking of vehicles on public property owned by the City; including without limitation the regulation of who may or may not park in or upon said property, time and hours of restrictions, restrictions against the parking of certain types of vehicles and trailers, and restrictions against the parking of vehicles or trailers containing hazardous or dangerous materials.
(b) This section shall also apply to regulations and restrictions of parking on public property owned by other governmental entities to the extent such regulations and restrictions are authorized under applicable state or federal law.
(c) No vehicle shall be parked on public property in violation of regulations and restrictions established by the City or governmental entity controlling the public property.
(d) The City, governmental entity, or an authorized lessee of the public property may create a "public tow-away zone" by posting thereon a sign, no smaller than eighteen inches by twenty-four inches and visible from all entrances to the public property, which contains at least the following information:
(1) A designation that the property is owned by the City or a governmental entity and the applicable parking restrictions or regulations concerning said property;
(2) A statement that any vehicle parked in violation of the restrictions or regulations may be towed;
(3) Instructions for recovering a towed vehicle may be obtained by calling the Worthington Division of Police at (614) 885-4463 or going to the Worthington Police Building at 6555 Worthington-Galena Road, Worthington, Ohio; and
(4) The vehicle may be recovered at any time during the day or night upon proof of ownership and payment of applicable towing and storage charges.
(e) If any vehicle is found upon public property in violation of the posted regulations and restrictions of the City or governmental entity and the identity of the driver cannot be determined, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be held prima-facie responsible for such violation.
(f) By violating the posted restrictions or regulations concerning the public property, the owner and operator of a vehicle shall be deemed to have consented to the towing and storage of the vehicle and the payment of towing and storage charges not to exceed the fees for towing and storage established by the Public Utilities Commission pursuant to Section 4513.601 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(g) The place to which the towed vehicle is taken and from which it may be recovered shall be conveniently located, well lighted, and on or within a reasonable distance of a regularly scheduled route of one or more modes of public transportation.
(h) If another governmental entity tows or causes the towing of a vehicle from public property pursuant to this section, the governmental entity or its agent shall promptly notify the Worthington Division of Police of the removal, the vehicle's license plate number, and the location where the vehicle is being stored.
(i) Whoever violates subsection 351.15(c) is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(Ord. 28-2024. Passed 7-15-24.)