Germantown, Ohio, OH Municipal Code — every chapter, in plain language

Current through January 1, 2026 | State legislation current through December 31, 2025. Official source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/germantown/latest/overview

Every town writes its own rules, and Germantown, Ohio's live in its municipal code — 230 chapters covering day-to-day questions like fences, parking, pets, permits and property upkeep. Below is the full map of what the code covers.

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What's in the Germantown, Ohio code

1. Germantown, Ohio
2. CODIFIED ORDINANCES
3. CERTIFICATION
4. ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
5. COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
6. CHARTER
7. ARTICLE I NAME, BOUNDARIES, AND FORM OF GOVERNMENT
8. SECTION 1.01 NAME.
9. SECTION 1.02 BOUNDARIES.
10. SECTION 1.03 FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
11. SECTION 1.04 POWERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY.
12. SECTION 1.05 CONSTRUCTION.
13. SECTION 1.06 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS.
14. ARTICLE II MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
15. SECTION 2.01 MAYOR.
16. SECTION 2.02 COUNCIL.
17. SECTION 2.03 ACTION REQUIRING AN ORDINANCE.
18. SECTION 2.04 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS IN GENERAL.
19. SECTION 2.05 EMERGENCY ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
20. SECTION 2.06 CODES OF TECHNICAL REGULATIONS.
21. SECTION 2.07 AUTHENTICATION AND RECORDING; CODIFICATION; PRINTING.
22. SECTION 2.08 REFERRAL OF ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TO THE ELECTORS BY COUNCIL.
23. ARTICLE III LAW DIRECTOR
24. SECTION 3.01 APPOINTMENT; QUALIFICATIONS; COMPENSATION.
25. ARTICLE IV MANAGER
26. SECTION 4.01 APPOINTMENTS; QUALIFICATIONS; COMPENSATION.
27. SECTION 4.02 REMOVAL.
28. SECTION 4.03 ACTING MANAGER.
29. SECTION 4.04 UNAVAILABILITY OF THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER.
30. SECTION 4.05 POWERS AND DUTIES.
31. ARTICLE V ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS
32. SECTION 5.01 CREATION OF DEPARTMENTS.
33. SECTION 5.02 POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION.
34. SECTION 5.03 DEPARTMENT HEADS.
35. SECTION 5.04 DUTIES OF FINANCE DIRECTOR.
36. ARTICLE VI MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
37. SECTION 6.01 MERIT SYSTEM.
38. SECTION 6.02 PROBATION PERIOD.
39. ARTICLE VII BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
40. SECTION 7.01 COUNCIL POWER TO CREATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
41. SECTION 7.02 REMOVAL OF MEMBERS.
42. SECTION 7.03 MEETINGS.
43. SECTION 7.04 ORGANIZATION.
44. SECTION 7.05 QUORUM.
45. SECTION 7.06 PERSONNEL BOARD.
46. SECTION 7.07 POWERS AND DUTIES OF PERSONNEL BOARD.
47. SECTION 7.08 PLANNING COMMISSION.
48. SECTION 7.09 POWERS AND DUTIES OF PLANNING COMMISSION.
49. SECTION 7.10 BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.
50. SECTION 7.11 POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.
51. SECTION 7.12 PARK AND RECREATION BOARD.
52. SECTION 7.13 POWERS AND DUTIES OF PARK AND RECREATION BOARD.
53. ARTICLE VIII FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
54. SECTION 8.01 GENERAL.
55. SECTION 8.02 FISCAL YEAR.
56. SECTION 8.03 SUBMISSION OF BUDGET AND BUDGET MESSAGE.
57. SECTION 8.04 BUDGET MESSAGE.
58. SECTION 8.05 BUDGET.
59. SECTION 8.06 COUNCIL ACTION ON BUDGET.
60. SECTION 8.07 CAPITAL PROGRAM.
61. SECTION 8.08 COUNCIL ACTION ON CAPITAL PROGRAM.
62. SECTION 8.09 PUBLIC RECORDS.
63. SECTION 8.10 COUNCIL ACTION ON APPROPRIATIONS.
64. SECTION 8.11 LAPSE OF APPROPRIATIONS.
65. SECTION 8.12 ADMINISTRATION OF BUDGET.
66. ARTICLE IX NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
67. SECTION 9.01 NOMINATIONS.
68. SECTION 9.02 REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
69. SECTION 9.03 SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
70. SECTION 9.04 CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS.
71. ARTICLE X INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
72. SECTION 10.01 GENERAL AUTHORITY.
73. SECTION 10.02 COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS; PETITIONERS' COMMITTEE; AFFIDAVIT.
74. SECTION 10.03 INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.
75. SECTION 10.04 PROCEDURE AFTER FILING.
76. SECTION 10.05 REFERENDUM PETITIONS; SUSPENSION OF EFFECT OF ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION.
77. SECTION 10.06 ACTION ON INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.
78. SECTION 10.07 RESULTS OF ELECTION.
79. SECTION 10.08 CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS - INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL.
80. SECTION 11.01 OATH OF OFFICE.
81. SECTION 11.02 PERSONAL FINANCIAL INTEREST.
82. SECTION 11.03 OFFICIAL BONDS.
83. SECTION 11.04 AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER.
84. SECTION 11.05 SEPARABILITY.
85. SECTION 11.06 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION.
86. SECTION 11.07 MUNICIPAL POWERS SPECIFICALLY AS TO PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING.
87. ARTICLE XII TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
88. SECTION 12.01 EFFECTIVE DATE OF CHARTER.
89. SECTION 12.02 SUCCESSION.
90. SECTION 12.03 CONTINUATION OF ORDINANCES.
91. SECTION 12.04 CONTINUATION OF OFFICERS.
92. SECTION 12.05 CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYEES.
93. SECTION 12.06 TRANSFER OF RECORDS AND PROPERTY.
94. SECTION 12.07 CONTINUATION OF CONTRACTS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
95. SECTION 12.08 PENDING ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS.
96. SECTION 12.09 EFFECT OF AMENDED CHARTER.
97. PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
98. TITLE ONE - General Provisions
99. CHAPTER 101 Codified Ordinances
100. CHAPTER 103 Official Standards
101. TITLE THREE - Legislative
102. CHAPTER 121 Council
103. CHAPTER 123 Ordinances and Resolutions
104. CHAPTER 125 Clerk of Council
105. CHAPTER 127 Citizens Ordinance Review Committee
106. TITLE FIVE - Administrative
107. CHAPTER 131 Mayor
108. CHAPTER 132 Municipal Manager
109. CHAPTER 133 Law Department
110. CHAPTER 135 Finance Director
111. CHAPTER 137 Police Department
112. CHAPTER 139 Building Department
113. CHAPTER 141 Fire Department
114. CHAPTER 143 Department of Public Service
115. CHAPTER 145 Board of Zoning Appeals
116. CHAPTER 147 Planning Commission
117. CHAPTER 148 Swimming Pool Board
118. CHAPTER 149 Park and Recreation Board
119. CHAPTER 150 City Beautiful Commission
120. CHAPTER 151 Civil Defense
121. CHAPTER 153 Personnel Board
122. CHAPTER 155 Cable TV Access Board
123. CHAPTER 161 Employees Generally
124. CHAPTER 163 Municipal Buildings
125. CHAPTER 165 Remote Public Meetings
126. TITLE SEVEN- Judicial
127. CHAPTER 171 Mayor's Court
128. TITLE NINE - Taxation
129. CHAPTER 181 Income Tax
130. CHAPTER 182 Income Tax Effective January 1, 2016
131. CHAPTER 183 Motor Vehicle License Tax
132. PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
133. TITLE ONE - Administration
134. CHAPTER 301 Definitions
135. CHAPTER 303 Enforcement, Impounding and Penalty
136. CHAPTER 305 Traffic Control
137. TITLE THREE - Streets and Traffic Control Devices
138. CHAPTER 309 Parades and Assemblages
139. CHAPTER 311 Street Obstructions and Special Uses
140. CHAPTER 313 Traffic Control Devices
141. TITLE FIVE - Vehicles
142. CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally
143. CHAPTER 333 OVI; Willful Misconduct; Speed
144. CHAPTER 335 Licensing; Accidents
145. CHAPTER 337 Safety and Equipment
146. CHAPTER 339 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
147. CHAPTER 341 Commercial Drivers
148. TITLE SEVEN - Parking
149. CHAPTER 351 Parking Generally
150. TITLE NINE - Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motorcycles
151. CHAPTER 371 Pedestrians
152. CHAPTER 373 Bicycles and Motorcycles
153. CHAPTER 375 Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles and All Purpose Vehicles
154. PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
155. CHAPTER 505 Animals and Fowl
156. CHAPTER 509 Disorderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
157. CHAPTER 511 Ohio Fire Code
158. CHAPTER 513 Drug Abuse Control
159. CHAPTER 515 Fireworks
160. CHAPTER 517 Gambling
161. CHAPTER 521 Health, Safety and Sanitation
162. CHAPTER 523 Smoking in City-Owned Public Places Prohibited
163. CHAPTER 525 Law Enforcement and Public Office
164. CHAPTER 529 Liquor Control
165. CHAPTER 531 Nuisances
166. CHAPTER 533 Obscenity and Sex Offenses
167. CHAPTER 537 Offenses Against Persons
168. CHAPTER 541 Property Offenses
169. CHAPTER 545 Theft and Fraud
170. CHAPTER 549 Weapons and Explosives
171. CHAPTER 553 Railroads
172. PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
173. CHAPTER 703 Mobile Food Vendors
174. CHAPTER 705 Billiards and Pool
175. CHAPTER 709 Circuses, Menageries, Carnivals
176. CHAPTER 710 Horse-Drawn Carriages
177. CHAPTER 717 Junk Yards
178. CHAPTER 721 Mechanical Amusement Devices
179. CHAPTER 725 Peddlers, Vendors, Canvassers and Charitable Solicitations
180. CHAPTER 727 Solid Waste Collectors
181. CHAPTER 729 Taxicabs
182. CHAPTER 733 Trailers and Trailer Coach Parks
183. CHAPTER 740 Video Service Providers
184. PART NINE - STREETS AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
185. TITLE ONE - Street and Sidewalk Areas
186. CHAPTER 901 Street Excavations
187. CHAPTER 903 Trees and Shrubbery
188. CHAPTER 905 Numbering of Buildings
189. TITLE THREE - Public Utilities
190. CHAPTER 919 Water
191. CHAPTER 920 Water System Control of Backflow Contaminants
192. CHAPTER 921 Sewers
193. CHAPTER 922 Stormwater Management Utility
194. CHAPTER 923 Privies and Vaults
195. CHAPTER 924 Illicit Discharge and Illegal Connection Control
196. CHAPTER 925 Designating Areas for Underground or Buried Utilities
197. TITLE FIVE - Other Public Services
198. CHAPTER 951 Germantown Cemetery
199. CHAPTER 953 Refuse Collection
200. CHAPTER 955 Recycling Program
201. PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
202. TITLE ONE - Platting
203. CHAPTER 1101 Subdivision Regulations
204. TITLE THREE - Zoning
205. CHAPTER 1121 General Provisions
206. CHAPTER 1123 Definitions
207. CHAPTER 1125 Establishing Districts and Zoning Map
208. CHAPTER 1127 District Regulations
209. CHAPTER 1128 Well Head Protection Overlay District
210. CHAPTER 1129 Supplemental District Regulations
211. CHAPTER 1130 Property Maintenance Code
212. CHAPTER 1131 Conditional Uses; Substantially Similar Uses
213. CHAPTER 1133 Nonconformities
214. CHAPTER 1135 Planned Unit Developments (PUD)
215. CHAPTER 1136 Rural Residential Overlay District
216. CHAPTER 1137 Off-Street Parking And Loading Facilities
217. CHAPTER 1139 Signage
218. CHAPTER 1141 Amendments
219. CHAPTER 1143 Appeals and Variances
220. CHAPTER 1145 Administration
221. CHAPTER 1147 Zoning Permit Requirements and Enforcement
222. CHAPTER 1148 Garage Sales
223. CHAPTER 1149 Hookah Bars
224. CHAPTER 1152 Age Restricted Housing Community Overlay District
225. CHAPTER 1170 Flood Damage Reduction
226. CHAPTER 1195 Stormwater Management
227. APPENDIX Zoning Map Changes
228. PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
229. CHAPTER 1303 National Electrical Code
230. CHAPTER 1305 Ohio Residential Code for One, Two and Three Family Dwellings