Berea, Ohio, OH — the municipal code, in plain language

Current through February 2, 2026 | State legislation current through December 31, 2025. Official source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/berea/latest/overview

Every town writes its own rules, and Berea, Ohio's live in its municipal code — 272 chapters covering day-to-day questions like fences, parking, pets, permits and property upkeep. Below is the full map of what the code covers.

What's in the Berea, Ohio code

• 1. Berea, Ohio
• 2. CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEREA, OHIO
• 3. ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
• 4. ADOPTING ORDINANCE No. 92-98
• 5. EDITOR'S NOTE
• 6. COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
• 7. CHARTER
• 8. PREAMBLE
• 9. SECTION I Name and Boundaries
• 10. SECTION II Powers
• 11. SECTION III The Mayor
• 12. ITEM III-1. EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS.
• 13. ITEM III-2. TERMS AND QUALIFICATIONS.
• 14. ITEM III-3. APPOINTING POWER.
• 15. ITEM III-4. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.
• 16. ITEM III-5. VETO POWER.
• 17. ITEM III-6. SUCCESSION TO THE OFFICE.
• 18. ITEM III-7. LOCATION OF OFFICE.
• 19. ITEM III-8. RIGHT OF MAYOR AND DIRECTORS IN COUNCIL.
• 20. SECTION IV The Council
• 21. ITEM IV-1. MEMBERSHIP, ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM.
• 22. ITEM IV-2. PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL.
• 23. ITEM IV-3. ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES.
• 24. ITEM IV-4. MEETINGS.
• 25. ITEM IV-5. FORM OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
• 26. ITEM IV-6. EMERGENCY MEASURES.
• 27. ITEM IV-7. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
• 28. ITEM IV-8. FRANCHISE.
• 29. ITEM IV-9. DIVISION OF MUNICIPALITY INTO FIVE (5) WARDS.
• 30. ITEM IV-10. SALARIES AND SURETY BONDS.
• 31. ITEM IV-11. USE OF TERM "ELECTED".
• 32. SECTION V Administrative Departments
• 33. SECTION VI Department of Public Service
• 34. ITEM VI-1. DIVISIONS ESTABLISHED.
• 35. ITEM VI-2. THE DIRECTOR.
• 36. SECTION VIA Department of Recreation and Community Services
• 37. ITEM VIA-1. DIVISIONS ESTABLISHED.
• 38. ITEM VIA-2. THE DIRECTOR.
• 39. SECTION VII Department of Public Safety
• 40. ITEM VII-1. DIVISIONS ESTABLISHED.
• 41. ITEM VII-2. THE DIRECTOR.
• 42. ITEM VII-3. DIVISION OF FIRE.
• 43. ITEM VII-4. DIVISION OF POLICE.
• 44. SECTION VIII Department of Law
• 45. ITEM VIII-1. THE DIRECTOR.
• 46. SECTION IX Department of Finance
• 47. ITEM IX-1. THE DIRECTOR.
• 48. ITEM IX-2. REPORTS.
• 49. ITEM IX-3. CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS.
• 50. ITEM IX-4. PUBLIC BIDDING.
• 51. ITEM IX-5. ANNUAL ESTIMATE AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.
• 52. ITEM IX-6. TRANSFERS, BALANCES, AND PAYMENTS OF APPROPRIATIONS.
• 53. SECTION X Boards and Commissions
• 54. ITEM X-1. GENERAL.
• 55. ITEM X-2. PLANNING COMMISSION.
• 56. ITEM X-3. (RESERVED).
• 57. ITEM X-4. BOARD OF CONTROL.
• 58. ITEM X-5. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
• 59. ITEM X-6. CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION.
• 60. ITEM X-7. (RESERVED).
• 61. ITEM X-8. BOARD OF ETHICS.
• 62. SECTION XI Taxation
• 63. ITEM XI-1. LIMITATION ON THE RATE OF TAXATION.
• 64. ITEM XI-2. LEVIES FOR DEBT SERVICE.
• 65. ITEM XI-3. SUBMISSION OF EXTRA LEVY.
• 66. ITEM XI-4. OTHER TAXES.
• 67. ITEM XI-5. ADDITIONAL LEVIES.
• 68. SECTION XII Improvements and Assessments
• 69. ITEM XII-1. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
• 70. ITEM XII-2. METHODS OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.
• 71. ITEM XII-3. RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY.
• 72. ITEM XII-4. NOTICE SERVED.
• 73. ITEM XII-5. PLANS OF PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS.
• 74. ITEM XII-6. BOARD OF REVISION OF ASSESSMENTS.
• 75. ITEM XII-7. CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES.
• 76. ITEM XII-8. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT.
• 77. ITEM XII-9. WORK TO BE DONE.
• 78. ITEM XII-10. INTEREST ON ASSESSMENT BONDS.
• 79. ITEM XII-11. CITY'S PORTION OF COST AND REBATES.
• 80. ITEM XII-12. SIDEWALKS, CURBS, GUTTERS.
• 81. ITEM XII-13. IMPROVEMENT ON PETITION OF PROPERTY OWNERS.
• 82. SECTION XIII Nominations and Elections
• 83. ITEM XIII-1. PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
• 84. ITEM XIII-2. REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
• 85. ITEM XIII-3. SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
• 86. ITEM XIII-4. CERTIFICATE OF NOMINATION WHEN NO PRIMARY IS HELD.
• 87. ITEM XIII-5. DESIGNATION OF CANDIDATES.
• 88. ITEM XIII-6. RESERVED.
• 89. ITEM XIII-7. GENERAL PROVISION.
• 90. ITEM XIII-8. QUALIFIED ELECTORS.
• 91. SECTION XIV Initiative and Referendum
• 92. SECTION XV Recall
• 93. ITEM XV-1. RECALL PROCEDURES.
• 94. ITEM XV-2. PETITIONS.
• 95. ITEM XV-3. SIGNATURES.
• 96. ITEM XV-4. FILING AND CERTIFICATION.
• 97. ITEM XV-5. SUPPLEMENTAL PETITIONS.
• 98. ITEM XV-6. RECALL ELECTION.
• 99. ITEM XV-7. BALLOTS.
• 100. ITEM XV-8. SUCCEEDING OFFICER.
• 101. SECTION XVI General Provisions
• 102. ITEM XVI-1. EFFECTIVE DATES.
• 103. ITEM XVI-2. OATH OF OFFICE.
• 104. ITEM XVI-3. CONTINUANCE OF CONTRACTS AND ENACTMENTS.
• 105. ITEM XVI-4. AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER.
• 106. ITEM XVI-5. INVESTIGATIONS.
• 107. ITEM XVI-6. CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE AND QUALIFICATIONS ELECTED OR APPOINTED PERSONNEL.
• 108. ITEM XVI-7. SEPARABILITY.
• 109. ITEM XVI-8. INTERPRETATION OF THE CHARTER.
• 110. ITEM XVI-9. USE OF GENDER.
• 111. ITEM XVI-10. CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
• 112. PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
• 113. TITLE ONE - General Provisions
• 114. CHAPTER 101 Codified Ordinances
• 115. CHAPTER 103 Official Standards
• 116. CHAPTER 105 Wards and Boundaries
• 117. CHAPTER 109 Rules of Notice for Municipal Bodies
• 118. TITLE THREE - Legislative
• 119. CHAPTER 111 Council
• 120. CHAPTER 113 Ordinances and Resolutions
• 121. TITLE FIVE - Administrative
• 122. CHAPTER 121 Mayor
• 123. CHAPTER 123 Department of Law
• 124. CHAPTER 125 Department of Finance
• 125. CHAPTER 127 Department of Public Safety
• 126. CHAPTER 129 Department of Public Service
• 127. CHAPTER 130 Department of Recreation and Community Services
• 128. CHAPTER 131 Department of Community Development
• 129. CHAPTER 133 Urban Renewal Standards and Procedures
• 130. CHAPTER 135 Civil Service Commission
• 131. CHAPTER 137 Board of Control
• 132. TITLE SEVEN - Judicial
• 133. CHAPTER 151 Municipal Court
• 134. TITLE EIGHT - Personnel Plan
• 135. CHAPTER 185 Discrimination, Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment) and Retaliation
• 136. TITLE NINE - Finance
• 137. CHAPTER 191 Income Tax
• 138. CHAPTER 193 Admissions Tax
• 139. CHAPTER 194 Motor Vehicle License Tax
• 140. CHAPTER 195 Land Reutilization
• 141. CHAPTER 196 Excise Tax - Lodging
• 142. TITLE ELEVEN - Code of Ethics
• 143. CHAPTER 197 Standards of Conduct
• 144. CHAPTER 198 Procedures
• 145. PART THREE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
• 146. TITLE ONE - Streets and Sidewalk Areas
• 147. CHAPTER 301 Right-of-Way; Curb Installation and Cuts.
• 148. CHAPTER 303 Sidewalk Construction or Repair
• 149. CHAPTER 305 Building Numbering
• 150. CHAPTER 307 Telecommunication Right-of-Way Permits
• 151. TITLE THREE - Public Utilities
• 152. CHAPTER 311 Water Supply
• 153. CHAPTER 313 Sewers
• 154. CHAPTER 315 Gas
• 155. CHAPTER 317 Electricity
• 156. CHAPTER 319 Storm Water Illicit Discharge and Connection
• 157. CHAPTER 320A Construction Site Soil Erosion, Sediment and Other Wastes and Storm Water Runoff
• 158. CHAPTER 320B Post-Construction Water Quality Runoff
• 159. CHAPTER 320C Riparian and Wetlands Setbacks
• 160. TITLE FIVE - Other Public Services
• 161. CHAPTER 321 Garbage and Rubbish
• 162. CHAPTER 323 Woodvale Union Cemetery
• 163. CHAPTER 325 Parks and Recreation
• 164. CHAPTER 327 Trees and Weeds
• 165. CHAPTER 329 Tree Conservation
• 166. PART FIVE - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
• 167. CHAPTER 515 Traveling Public Shows or Carnivals
• 168. CHAPTER 519 Dances and Dance Halls
• 169. CHAPTER 535 Junk Dealers
• 170. CHAPTER 541 Mechanical Amusement Devices
• 171. CHAPTER 543 Sweepstakes Terminal Café
• 172. CHAPTER 547 Solicitations at Residences
• 173. CHAPTER 559 Roller Skating Rinks
• 174. CHAPTER 573 Pesticide Application
• 175. CHAPTER 577 Tattoo Operations and Dermagraphic Art Studios
• 176. CHAPTER 579 Unlawful Exposure in Food and Beverage Establishments
• 177. CHAPTER 581 Adult-Oriented Businesses
• 178. CHAPTER 583 Video Service Providers
• 179. CHAPTER 585 Drop Boxes
• 180. PART SEVEN - TRAFFIC CODE
• 181. TITLE ONE - Administration
• 182. CHAPTER 701 Definitions
• 183. CHAPTER 703 Enforcement, Impounding and Penalty
• 184. CHAPTER 705 Traffic Rules and Regulations
• 185. TITLE THREE - Streets and Traffic Control Devices
• 186. CHAPTER 711 Street Obstructions and Special Uses
• 187. CHAPTER 713 Traffic Control Devices
• 188. TITLE FIVE - Vehicles
• 189. CHAPTER 731 Operation Generally
• 190. CHAPTER 733 OVI; Willful Misconduct; Speed
• 191. CHAPTER 735 Licensing; Accidents
• 192. CHAPTER 737 Safety and Equipment
• 193. CHAPTER 739 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
• 194. CHAPTER 741 Commercial Drivers
• 195. CHAPTER 745 Transportation of Radioactive Materials
• 196. TITLE SEVEN - Parking
• 197. CHAPTER 751 Parking Generally
• 198. CHAPTER 755 Municipal Parking Lots
• 199. TITLE NINE - Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motorcycles
• 200. CHAPTER 771 Pedestrians
• 201. CHAPTER 773 Bicycles and Motorcycles
• 202. CHAPTER 774 Bicycle Licensing
• 203. CHAPTER 775 Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles and All Purpose Vehicles
• 204. PART NINE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
• 205. CHAPTER 905 Animals
• 206. CHAPTER 907 Curfew
• 207. CHAPTER 909 Disorderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
• 208. CHAPTER 911 Noise Control
• 209. CHAPTER 913 Drug Abuse Control
• 210. CHAPTER 917 Gambling
• 211. CHAPTER 918 Smoking Prohibited at City Meetings and on City Property
• 212. CHAPTER 919 Storage and Use of PCB and PCB Devices
• 213. CHAPTER 921 Health, Safety and Sanitation
• 214. CHAPTER 925 Law Enforcement and Public Office
• 215. CHAPTER 929 Liquor Control
• 216. CHAPTER 931 Nuisance Abatement
• 217. CHAPTER 933 Obscenity and Sex Offenses
• 218. CHAPTER 937 Offenses Against Persons
• 219. CHAPTER 941 Property Offenses
• 220. CHAPTER 945 Theft and Fraud
• 221. CHAPTER 947 Waste Materials and Junk
• 222. CHAPTER 949 Weapons and Explosives
• 223. CHAPTER 951 Fair Housing
• 224. CHAPTER 953 Railroads
• 225. CHAPTER 955 Graffiti
• 226. CHAPTER 957 Illegal Distribution, Use or Permitting Use of Cigarettes, Alternative Nicotine Products, Electronic Smoking Devices or Other Tobacco Products
• 227. PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
• 228. TITLE ONE - General Standards
• 229. CHAPTER 1301 Codes Adopted
• 230. CHAPTER 1303 Residential Code of Ohio (Repealed)
• 231. CHAPTER 1305 National Electrical Code (Repealed)
• 232. CHAPTER 1307 Ohio Plumbing Code (Repealed)
• 233. CHAPTER 1308 Ohio Mechanical Code (Repealed)
• 234. TITLE THREE - Administration
• 235. CHAPTER 1309 Licensing Contractors
• 236. CHAPTER 1311 Non-Residential Construction and Inspection Fee Schedule
• 237. CHAPTER 1312 Residential Construction and Inspection Fee Schedule
• 238. CHAPTER 1313 Zoning Permit and Inspection Fee Schedule
• 239. TITLE FIVE - Local Provisions
• 240. CHAPTER 1321 Building Nuisances
• 241. CHAPTER 1323 Swimming Pools
• 242. CHAPTER 1325 House Moving
• 243. CHAPTER 1327 Private Alarm Systems
• 244. CHAPTER 1329 Exterior Property Maintenance Code
• 245. CHAPTER 1331 Residential Rental Property Permits
• 246. CHAPTER 1333 Use of Public Ways for Small Cell Wireless Facilities and Wireless Support Structures
• 247. TITLE SEVEN - Housing Code
• 248. CHAPTER 1341 Definitions
• 249. CHAPTER 1343 Purpose, Scope and Conflict
• 250. CHAPTER 1345 Inspection; Enforcement and Appeal; Penalty
• 251. CHAPTER 1347 Certificate of Occupancy
• 252. CHAPTER 1349 Basic Equipment and Facilities
• 253. CHAPTER 1351 Light, Ventilation and Heating
• 254. CHAPTER 1353 Safe and Sanitary Maintenance
• 255. CHAPTER 1355 Space, Use and Location
• 256. CHAPTER 1357 Responsibilities of Owners and Occupants
• 257. CHAPTER 1359 Unfit Dwellings and Condemnation
• 258. CHAPTER 1360 Exterior Point of Sale Inspection
• 259. CHAPTER 1361 Notification of Foreclosure Filing
• 260. CHAPTER 1362 Abandoned Residential Property Registration
• 261. TITLE NINE - Flood Damage Prevention
• 262. CHAPTER 1391 General Provisions and Definitions
• 263. CHAPTER 1393 Administration
• 264. CHAPTER 1395 Use and Development Standards for Flood Hazard Reduction
• 265. CHAPTER 1397 Appeals and Variances
• 266. CHAPTER 1399 Enforcement
• 267. PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
• 268. CHAPTER 1505 Life Safety Code (Repealed)
• 269. CHAPTER 1511 Open Burning
• 270. CHAPTER 1519 Fireworks
• 271. CHAPTER 1523 Cost Recovery of Emergency Actions
• 272. CHAPTER 1527 General Regulations