Every town writes its own rules, and Independence, Ohio's live in its municipal code — 287 chapters covering day-to-day questions like fences, parking, pets, permits and property upkeep. Below is the full map of what the code covers.
Ask Independence, Ohio's code a questionWhat's in the Independence, Ohio code
- 1. Independence, Ohio
- 2. Codified Ordinances of the City of Independence, Ohio
- 3. CERTIFICATION
- 4. ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
- 5. EDITOR'S NOTE
- 6. COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
- 7. SUPPLEMENTAL COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
- 8. TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
- 9. TABLE A - FRANCHISES
- 10. TABLE B - EASEMENTS
- 11. TABLE C - VACATING OF STREETS AND ALLEYS
- 12. TABLE D - DEDICATION AND PLAT APPROVAL
- 13. TABLE E - ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF REAL PROPERTY
- 14. TABLE F - LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY
- 15. TABLE G - STREET GRADE LEVELS AND CHANGE OF STREET NAME
- 16. TABLE H - ANNEXATION AND DETACHMENT OF TERRITORY
- 17. TABLE I- ZONING MAP CHANGES
- 18. INDEPENDENCE CITY CHARTER
- 19. PREAMBLE
- 20. ARTICLE I POWERS
- 21. SECTION 1. COMPOSITION AND TERM.
- 22. SECTION 2. ORGANIZATION AND TERM.
- 23. SECTION 3. POWERS OF THE COUNCIL.
- 24. SECTION 4. VACANCY IN COUNCIL.
- 25. SECTION 5. COUNCIL MEETINGS.
- 26. SECTION 6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
- 27. SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
- 28. SECTION 1. TERM OF OFFICE.
- 29. SECTION 2. JUDICIAL POWERS OF THE MAYOR.
- 30. SECTION 3. LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF THE MAYOR.
- 31. SECTION 4. VETO POWER OF THE MAYOR.
- 32. SECTION 5. EXECUTIVE POWERS OF THE MAYOR.
- 33. SECTION 6. APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, DUTIES AND REMOVAL OF CHIEF OF POLICE AND FIRE CHIEF.
- 34. SECTION 7. ABSENCE OR VACANCY IN OFFICE OF MAYOR.
- 35. SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
- 36. SECTION 2. FINANCE DIRECTOR.
- 37. SECTION 3. LAW DIRECTOR.
- 38. SECTION 4. SERVICE DIRECTOR.
- 39. SECTION 5. PLANNING COMMISSION.
- 40. SECTION 6. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.
- 41. SECTION 7. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
- 42. ARTICLE V NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
- 43. ARTICLE VI QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS
- 44. ARTICLE VII SALARIES AND BONDS
- 45. SECTION 1. GENERAL.
- 46. SECTION 2. LIMITATION ON RATE OF TAXATION.
- 47. SECTION 3. AUTHORITY TO LEVY TAXES.
- 48. SECTION 1. INITIATIVE .
- 49. SECTION 2. REFERENDUM.
- 50. SECTION 3. RECALL.
- 51. SECTION 4. PETITIONS.
- 52. ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER
- 53. SECTION 1. EFFECTIVE DATE OF CHARTER.
- 54. SECTION 2. SAVING CLAUSE.
- 55. SECTION 3. EFFECT OF CHARTER UPON EXISTING LAWS AND RIGHTS.
- 56. SECTION 4. CONTINUANCE OF PRESENT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
- 57. SECTION 5. GENDER NEUTRAL.
- 58. ARTICLE XII OATH OF OFFICE
- 59. ARTICLE XIII CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
- 60. ARTICLE XIV APPOINTMENTS OF THE MAYOR
- 61. PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- 62. TITLE ONE - General Provisions
- 63. CHAPTER 101 Codified Ordinances
- 64. CHAPTER 103 Official Standards
- 65. CHAPTER 105 Public Meetings
- 66. TITLE THREE - Legislative
- 67. CHAPTER 121 Council
- 68. CHAPTER 123 Ordinances and Resolutions
- 69. TITLE FIVE - Administrative
- 70. CHAPTER 131 Mayor
- 71. CHAPTER 133 Finance Director
- 72. CHAPTER 135 Law Director
- 73. CHAPTER 137 Service Director
- 74. CHAPTER 138 Technical Services Department
- 75. CHAPTER 139 Clerk of Council
- 76. CHAPTER 141 Police Department
- 77. CHAPTER 143 Fire Department
- 78. CHAPTER 144 Building Department
- 79. CHAPTER 145 Civil Service Commission
- 80. CHAPTER 147 Vice Mayor
- 81. CHAPTER 149 Engineer
- 82. CHAPTER 150 Insurance Requirements for Providers of Professional Services
- 83. CHAPTER 151 Parks and Recreation Department; Recreation Board
- 84. CHAPTER 152 Litter Control Board (Repealed)
- 85. CHAPTER 153 Cemetery Trustees
- 86. CHAPTER 154 Volunteer Firemen's Dependents Fund Board
- 87. CHAPTER 155 Conflict of Interest
- 88. CHAPTER 156 Master Cable Television Regulatory Ordinance
- 89. CHAPTER 157 Employment Provisions
- 90. CHAPTER 158 Public Improvement Contracts
- 91. CHAPTER 159 City Records Commission
- 92. CHAPTER 160 Disaster Services Agency
- 93. TITLE SEVEN - Judicial
- 94. CHAPTER 161 Mayor's Court
- 95. TITLE NINE - Taxation
- 96. CHAPTER 181 Admissions Tax
- 97. CHAPTER 183 Transient Occupancy Tax
- 98. CHAPTER 184 Hotel and Motel Guest Registry
- 99. CHAPTER 191 Income Tax
- 100. CHAPTER 192 Land Reutilization
- 101. CHAPTER 193 Income Tax Effective January 1, 2016
- 102. PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
- 103. TITLE TWO - Administration, Enforcement and Penalties
- 104. CHAPTER 301 Definitions
- 105. CHAPTER 303 Enforcement; Impounding
- 106. CHAPTER 305 Traffic Control
- 107. CHAPTER 307 Penalties
- 108. TITLE FOUR - Public Ways and Traffic Control Devices
- 109. CHAPTER 311 Obstruction and Special Uses of Public Ways
- 110. CHAPTER 313 Traffic Control Devices
- 111. CHAPTER 315 Pedestrians
- 112. TITLE SIX - Vehicles and Operation
- 113. CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally
- 114. CHAPTER 333 DWI; Reckless Operation; Speed
- 115. CHAPTER 335 Licensing; Accidents
- 116. CHAPTER 337 Safety and Equipment
- 117. CHAPTER 339 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
- 118. CHAPTER 341 Commercial Drivers
- 119. CHAPTER 343 Offenses Relating to Theft and Fraud
- 120. CHAPTER 345 Movement of Heavy Equipment
- 121. CHAPTER 347 Motor Transportation Companies and Private Motor Carriers
- 122. TITLE EIGHT - Parking
- 123. CHAPTER 351 Parking Generally
- 124. CHAPTER 353 Trailers and Tourist Camps
- 125. TITLE TEN - Bicycles, Motorcycles, Snowmobiles and Golf Carts
- 126. CHAPTER 373 Bicycles and Motorcycles
- 127. CHAPTER 375 Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles, and All Purpose Vehicles
- 128. CHAPTER 376 Golf Carts
- 129. PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
- 130. CHAPTER 608 Air Pollution
- 131. CHAPTER 612 Alcoholic Beverages
- 132. CHAPTER 618 Animals
- 133. CHAPTER 620 Blasting
- 134. CHAPTER 622 Drugs
- 135. CHAPTER 624 Gambling
- 136. CHAPTER 630 Minors
- 137. CHAPTER 636 Offenses Relating to Persons
- 138. CHAPTER 642 Offenses Relating to Property
- 139. CHAPTER 648 Peace Disturbances
- 140. CHAPTER 649 Noise Control
- 141. CHAPTER 650 Picketing
- 142. CHAPTER 654 Railroads
- 143. CHAPTER 660 Safety, Sanitation and Health
- 144. CHAPTER 661 Smoking Prohibited in City Buildings and Upon and Within City Property
- 145. CHAPTER 662 Abatement of Nuisances
- 146. CHAPTER 663 Criminal Activity Nuisances
- 147. CHAPTER 666 Sex Related Offenses
- 148. CHAPTER 670 Transportation of Radioactive Materials
- 149. CHAPTER 672 Weapons and Explosives
- 150. CHAPTER 673 Lawn Chemical Applicators
- 151. CHAPTER 674 Impounding of Animals and Related Fees
- 152. CHAPTER 698 Penalties and Sentencing
- 153. PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
- 154. CHAPTER 702 Retail Disposable Bag Recycling
- 155. CHAPTER 711 Peddlers, Transient Dealers and Solicitors
- 156. CHAPTER 721 Picnic Grounds
- 157. CHAPTER 725 Emergency Alarm Systems
- 158. CHAPTER 726 Recovery of Costs of Emergency Actions
- 159. CHAPTER 731 Removal of Topsoil
- 160. CHAPTER 741 Taxicabs
- 161. CHAPTER 751 Truck Terminals
- 162. CHAPTER 761 Outdoor Sales
- 163. CHAPTER 763 Propane Tank Sales
- 164. CHAPTER 771 Retail Dry Cleaning Establishments
- 165. CHAPTER 773 Child Day-Care Homes
- 166. CHAPTER 775 Video Service Provider Fees
- 167. CHAPTER 781 Sale of Weapons
- 168. CHAPTER 791 Detergent Control
- 169. CHAPTER 793 Abortion Clinics
- 170. CHAPTER 794 Recreational Marijuana
- 171. CHAPTER 795 Gas Stations
- 172. CHAPTER 796 Peace Officer Presence Required When Alcohol Served
- 173. CHAPTER 797 Commercial Timbering and Clear-Cutting
- 174. CHAPTER 798 Food Trucks
- 175. CHAPTER 799 Food and Beverage Sales
- 176. PART NINE - STREETS AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
- 177. TITLE ONE - Street and Sidewalk Areas
- 178. CHAPTER 901 Street Excavations
- 179. CHAPTER 903 Driveway Culverts; Roadside Ditches
- 180. CHAPTER 905 Sidewalks
- 181. CHAPTER 907 Inspection of Street Area Work
- 182. CHAPTER 909 Trees, Weeds and Grass
- 183. CHAPTER 910 Tree Commission
- 184. TITLE THREE - Public Utilities
- 185. CHAPTER 921 Utility Construction Permit
- 186. CHAPTER 923 Garbage and Rubbish
- 187. CHAPTER 922 Telecommunication Right-of-Way Permits
- 188. CHAPTER 925 Electricity
- 189. CHAPTER 927 Gas
- 190. CHAPTER 929 Sewers
- 191. CHAPTER 931 Water
- 192. TITLE FIVE - Other Public Services
- 193. CHAPTER 951 Town Hall and Elmwood Recreation Building
- 194. CHAPTER 953 Municipal Cemetery
- 195. CHAPTER 955 Use of Public Property
- 196. CHAPTER 957 Park and Recreation Areas
- 197. CHAPTER 959 Snow Removal for Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons and Deployed Active Military Personnel
- 198. CHAPTER 960 Civic Center Admissions Charges
- 199. CHAPTER 961 Home Improvement Assessment Program
- 200. PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
- 201. TITLE ONE - Planning
- 202. CHAPTER 1101 Planning Commission
- 203. CHAPTER 1103 Master Plan
- 204. TITLE THREE - Land Planning and Subdivision Code
- 205. CHAPTER 1105 Title and Purpose
- 206. CHAPTER 1107 Definitions
- 207. CHAPTER 1109 Land Subdividing Procedures
- 208. CHAPTER 1111 Planning Criteria
- 209. CHAPTER 1113 Required Improvements
- 210. CHAPTER 1115 Plans and Plats
- 211. CHAPTER 1117 Adoption, Appeals and Enforcement
- 212. TITLE FIVE - Zoning Administration
- 213. CHAPTER 1121 Definitions
- 214. CHAPTER 1123 Interpretation; Amendments
- 215. CHAPTER 1125 Enforcement; Appeals; Penalty
- 216. TITLE SEVEN - Zoning Districts; Map
- 217. CHAPTER 1131 Districts and Map
- 218. TITLE NINE - Zoning Use Regulations
- 219. CHAPTER 1141 Classification of Uses
- 220. CHAPTER 1142 Adult Entertainment Businesses
- 221. CHAPTER 1143 Residential Use Provisions
- 222. CHAPTER 1143A U-1A Overlay District
- 223. CHAPTER 1144 Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
- 224. CHAPTER 1145 Business Use Provisions
- 225. CHAPTER 1146 Shopping Mall District
- 226. CHAPTER 1147 Use Exceptions; Nonconforming Use
- 227. CHAPTER 1148 Office Building High-Rise and
- 228. CHAPTER 1149 Light Manufacturing Use Provisions
- 229. CHAPTER 1150 Campus Office Building (COB) District
- 230. CHAPTER 1151 Signs
- 231. CHAPTER 1153 Dish-Type Satellite Signal-Receiving Earth Stations
- 232. CHAPTER 1154 Small Cell Facility and Wireless Support Structures Within the Public Right-of-Way
- 233. CHAPTER 1155 Oil and Gas Wells
- 234. CHAPTER 1156 Small Box Discount Retail Stores
- 235. TITLE ELEVEN - Zoning Height and Area Regulations
- 236. CHAPTER 1161 Height
- 237. CHAPTER 1163 Lot Area; Access; Front Yards
- 238. CHAPTER 1165 Side and Rear Yards
- 239. TITLE THIRTEEN- Parking Provisions
- 240. CHAPTER 1181 Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements
- 241. TITLE FIFTEEN - Planned Unit Development Zoning Districts
- 242. CHAPTER 1182 Downtown Planned Unit Development District
- 243. CHAPTER 1183 Rockside Planned Unit Development District
- 244. PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
- 245. TITLE ONE - Administration
- 246. CHAPTER 1301 Inspections; Enforcement and Penalty
- 247. CHAPTER 1303 Plans and Drawings
- 248. CHAPTER 1305 Building Permits
- 249. CHAPTER 1307 Permit and Inspection Fees
- 250. CHAPTER 1309 Architectural Board of Review
- 251. CHAPTER 1321 Contractor Registration
- 252. TITLE FIVE - Standards Adopted
- 253. CHAPTER 1331 OBOA Ohio Residential Code (ORC)
- 254. CHAPTER 1332 Air Conditioning, Air Handling Equipment, and Electric Power Generators
- 255. CHAPTER 1333 Wind Energy Facilities
- 256. CHAPTER 1335 National Electrical Code
- 257. CHAPTER 1336 Ohio Plumbing Code
- 258. CHAPTER 1341 Ohio Building Code
- 259. TITLE SEVEN - Other Local Provisions
- 260. CHAPTER 1349 Damage to or Work Within Rights of Way, Sidewalks or Easements
- 261. CHAPTER 1351 Change of Grades
- 262. CHAPTER 1352 Storm Water Management and Sediment Pollution Control
- 263. CHAPTER 1353 Septic Tanks
- 264. CHAPTER 1354 Riparian and Wetland Setback Requirements
- 265. CHAPTER 1355 Garbage Disposal Systems
- 266. CHAPTER 1357 House Moving
- 267. CHAPTER 1359 Signs, Signboards and Billboards
- 268. CHAPTER 1361 Swimming Pools
- 269. CHAPTER 1363 Fences, Walls and Hedges
- 270. CHAPTER 1365 Exterior Property Maintenance Code
- 271. CHAPTER 1366 Lease/Rental Occupancy Certificate
- 272. CHAPTER 1367 Waste Water Treatment Plants
- 273. CHAPTER 1369 Unsafe Buildings
- 274. CHAPTER 1371 Safety Glazing
- 275. CHAPTER 1373 House Numbering
- 276. CHAPTER 1375 Insulation
- 277. CHAPTER 1376 Outdoor Lighting
- 278. CHAPTER 1377 Flood Damage Reduction
- 279. CHAPTER 1379 Fire Hydrants
- 280. CHAPTER 1380 Erosion and Sediment Control
- 281. CHAPTER 1381 Controlling Post-Construction Water Quality Runoff
- 282. CHAPTER 1382 Illicit Discharge and Illegal Connection Control
- 283. CHAPTER 1383 Protected Hillside Zone Regulations
- 284. PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
- 285. CHAPTER 1519 Fireworks
- 286. CHAPTER 1531 Smoke Detectors
- 287. CHAPTER 1541 Kerosene Heaters