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

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

Every town writes its own rules, and Sandusky, Ohio's live in its municipal code — 301 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 Sandusky, Ohio's code a question

What's in the Sandusky, Ohio code

1. Sandusky, Ohio
2. CODIFIED ORDINANCES
3. CERTIFICATION
4. CITY OFFICIALS
5. ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 98-226
6. EDITOR'S NOTE
7. COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
8. TABLE OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
9. TABLE I - EASEMENTS AND LEASES
10. TABLE II - PURCHASE AND SALE OF CITY PROPERTY
11. TABLE III - ANNEXATIONS
12. TABLE IV - EXEMPTIONS TO ORD. 1129-C OF LAND FOR SERVICE STATION CONSTRUCTION
13. TABLE V. EMINENT DOMAIN
14. TABLE VI. DEDICATIONS
15. TABLE VII. VACATIONS AND ABANDONMENT
16. TABLE VIII. FRANCHISES
17. TABLE IX. STREET NAMES
18. TABLE X. ENCROACHMENTS
19. CHARTER
20. PREAMBLE
21. S 1 NAME AND POWERS.
22. S 1(a) TAX RATE FOR TERRITORY WITHIN CITY BUT OUTSIDE SANDUSKY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
23. S 1(b) GENDER.
24. S 1(c) COMPLIANCE WITH OPEN MEETING LAWS.
25. S 2 FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
26. S 3 CITY COMMISSION. CREATION AND POWERS.
27. S 4 QUALIFICATIONS.
28. S 5 VACANCIES.
29. S 6 SALARY AND BONDS.
30. S 7 PRESIDENT.
31. S 8 MUNICIPAL BONDS.
32. S 9 CLERK AND EMPLOYEES.
33. S 10 MEETINGS.
34. S 11 PENALTY FOR ABSENCE.
35. S 12 LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE.
36. S 13 ORDINANCE ENACTMENT.
37. S 14 EMERGENCY MEASURES.
38. S 15 RECORD AND PUBLICATION.
39. S 16 PRICE AND MODE OF PUBLICATION.
40. S 17 LAW DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANTS.
41. S 18 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND AUDITS.
42. S 19 ACCOUNTING PROCEDURE.
43. S 20 ASSESSMENTS AND LICENSES.
44. S 21 PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.
45. S 22 CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS.
46. S 23 MONEY IN THE FUND.
47. S 24 EMERGENCIES.
48. S 25 EXPENDITURES.
49. S 26 SINKING FUND TRUSTEES.
50. S 27 CIVIL SERVICE.
51. S 28 OTHER BOARDS AND DEPARTMENTS.
52. S 29 ADVISORY BOARDS.
53. S 30 SALARIES AND BONDS.
54. S 31 CITY MANAGER: APPOINTMENT.
55. S 32 POWERS AND DUTIES.
56. S 33 HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
57. S 34 PLATTING COMMISSIONER.
58. S 35 LIMITATION OF ASSESSMENTS.
59. S 36 IMPROVEMENTS BY DIRECT LABOR.
60. S 37 SEWER, WATER, AND GAS CONNECTIONS.
61. S 38 EXPENDITURES IN EXCESS OF $2,500.
62. S 39 TIME OF MAKING CONTRACTS.
63. S 40 MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS.
64. S 41 BIDS IN EXCESS OF ESTIMATE.
65. S 42 CONTRACTS - WHEN VOID.
66. S 43 GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS.
67. S 44 TIME OF HOLDING ELECTIONS.
68. S 45 BALLOTS.
69. S 46 PETITION FOR PLACE ON BALLOT.
70. S 47 DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY.
71. S 48 ELECTION.
72. S 49 GENERAL LAWS TO APPLY.
73. S 50 THE ESTIMATE.
74. S 51 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.
75. S 52 REVISION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
76. S 53 TRANSFER OF FUNDS.
77. S 54 UNENCUMBERED BALANCES.
78. S 55 GRANTS LIMITED.
79. S 56 PERIOD OF GRANTS.
80. S 57 ASSIGNMENT.
81. S 58 RIGHT OF PURCHASE.
82. S 59 EXTENSION BY ANNEXATION.
83. S 60 RIGHT OF REGULATION.
84. S 61 FORFEITURES.
85. S 62 ACCOUNTS AND REPORTS.
86. S 63 GRANTS NOT INCLUDED.
87. S 64 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
88. S 65 STATE LAWS TO APPLY.
89. S 66 RECALL PETITIONS.
90. S 67 NOTICE.
91. S 68 RECALL ELECTION.
92. S 69 BALLOTS.
93. S 70 FILLING OF VACANCIES.
94. S 71 COUNTING THE VOTES.
95. S 72 EFFECT OF RESIGNATIONS.
96. S 73 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
97. S 74 OFFENSES RELATING TO PETITIONS.
98. S 75 GENERAL LAWS TO APPLY.
99. S 76 AUDIT AND APPRAISAL.
100. S 77 ORDINANCES CONTINUED IN FORCE.
101. S 78 CONTINUANCE OF PRESENT OFFICERS.
102. S 79 CONTINUANCE OF CONTRACTS AND VESTED RIGHTS.
103. S 80 OATH OF OFFICE.
104. S 81 HOURS OF LABOR.
105. S 82 AMENDMENT OF CHARTER.
106. S 83 SAVING CLAUSE.
107. S 84 WHEN CHARTER TAKES EFFECT.
108. S 85 WHEN AMENDMENTS TAKE EFFECT.
109. S 86 RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.
110. S 87 REVIEW OF CHARTER.
111. PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
112. TITLE ONE - General Provisions
113. CHAPTER 101 Codified Ordinances
114. CHAPTER 105 Eminent Domain Procedures and Powers
115. TITLE THREE - Legislative
116. CHAPTER 113 City Commission
117. TITLE FIVE - Officers and Departments
118. CHAPTER 125 Administrative Organization
119. CHAPTER 127 City Manager
120. CHAPTER 129 Department of Finance and Audits
121. CHAPTER 131 Department of Law
122. CHAPTER 133 Department of Municipal Court
123. CHAPTER 135 Consumer Protection
124. CHAPTER 137 Department of General Services
125. CHAPTER 139 Department of Engineering Services
126. CHAPTER 141 Professional Design Services Selection
127. CHAPTER 143 Department of Community Development
128. CHAPTER 145 Employment Provisions
129. CHAPTER 149 Local Preference
130. TITLE SEVEN - Boards and Commissions
131. CHAPTER 150 Boards and Commissions Procedures
132. CHAPTER 151 Cemetery Board
133. CHAPTER 153 Civil Service Commission
134. CHAPTER 155 Fair Housing Board
135. CHAPTER 157 Community Relations Commission
136. CHAPTER 159 A.D.A. Advisory Board
137. CHAPTER 161 Planning Commission
138. CHAPTER 163 Records Commission
139. CHAPTER 165 Recreation Board
140. CHAPTER 167 Public Arts and Culture Commission
141. CHAPTER 173 Sandusky Youth Commission (Repealed)
142. CHAPTER 175 Employee Health Benefits Plan Board and Committee
143. CHAPTER 181 Audit/Finance Committee
144. CHAPTER 183 Tree Commission
145. CHAPTER 185 Tax Incentive Review Council
146. CHAPTER 187 Economic Development Incentive Committee
147. TITLE NINE - Taxation
148. CHAPTER 189 Parking Occupancy Tax
149. CHAPTER 191 Income Tax
150. CHAPTER 192 Income Tax Effective January 1, 2016
151. CHAPTER 193 Transient Occupancy Tax
152. CHAPTER 195 Admissions Tax
153. CHAPTER 197 Motor Vehicle License Tax
154. CHAPTER 199 Watercraft Dockage and Rack Storage Tax
155. PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
156. TITLE ONE - Administration
157. CHAPTER 301 Definitions
158. CHAPTER 303 Enforcement, Impounding and Penalty
159. CHAPTER 305 Traffic Control
160. TITLE THREE - Streets and Traffic Control Devices
161. CHAPTER 311 Street Obstructions and Special Uses
162. CHAPTER 313 Traffic Control Devices
163. TITLE FIVE - Vehicles
164. CHAPTER 331 Operation Generally
165. CHAPTER 333 OVI; Willful Misconduct; Speed
166. CHAPTER 335 Licensing; Accidents
167. CHAPTER 337 Safety and Equipment
168. CHAPTER 339 Commercial and Heavy Vehicles
169. CHAPTER 341 Commercial Drivers
170. TITLE SEVEN - Parking
171. CHAPTER 351 Parking Generally
172. TITLE NINE - Pedestrians, Bicycles and Motorcycles
173. CHAPTER 371 Pedestrians
174. CHAPTER 373 Bicycles and Motorcycles
175. CHAPTER 375 Snowmobiles, Off-Highway Motorcycles and All Purpose Vehicles
176. CHAPTER 377 Motorized Toy Vehicles and Motorized Skateboards
177. CHAPTER 379 Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles
178. PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
179. CHAPTER 505 Animals and Fowl
180. CHAPTER 507 Curfew for Minors
181. CHAPTER 509 Disorderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
182. CHAPTER 513 Drug Abuse Control
183. CHAPTER 517 Gambling
184. CHAPTER 519 Noise Control
185. CHAPTER 521 Health, Safety and Sanitation
186. CHAPTER 525 Law Enforcement and Public Office
187. CHAPTER 529 Liquor Control
188. CHAPTER 531 Nuisances Generally
189. CHAPTER 533 Obscenity and Sex Offenses
190. CHAPTER 537 Offenses Against Persons
191. CHAPTER 539 Open Housing Code
192. CHAPTER 541 Property Offenses
193. CHAPTER 545 Theft and Fraud
194. CHAPTER 549 Weapons Control
195. CHAPTER 553 Watercraft
196. CHAPTER 555 Railroads
197. CHAPTER 557 Discrimination Offenses Other Than Housing
198. PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
199. CHAPTER 705 Arcades
200. CHAPTER 711 Distress Sales
201. CHAPTER 717 Excessive and Nuisance False Alarms
202. CHAPTER 723 Indoor Firing Ranges
203. CHAPTER 729 Massage Establishments
204. CHAPTER 731 Outdoor Public Entertainment Activity
205. CHAPTER 735 Public Vendors
206. CHAPTER 741 Solicitors and Sales from Vehicles
207. CHAPTER 747 Public Vehicle for Hire
208. CHAPTER 753 Transient Merchants
209. PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
210. TITLE ONE - Street and Sidewalk Areas
211. CHAPTER 905 Streets and Sidewalks Generally
212. CHAPTER 909 Building Numbering
213. CHAPTER 913 Excavations
214. CHAPTER 917 Trees
215. CHAPTER 919 Rights-of-Way Ordinance
216. CHAPTER 921 Wireless Telecommunications Regulations
217. CHAPTER 923 Regulation of Video Service Providers
218. TITLE THREE - Utilities
219. CHAPTER 931 Industrial Pretreatment Advisory Board
220. CHAPTER 933 Sewer Regulations and Rates
221. CHAPTER 935 Comprehensive Storm Water Management
222. CHAPTER 937 Erosion and Sediment Control
223. CHAPTER 939 Water Regulations and Rates
224. CHAPTER 941 Illicit Discharge and Illegal Connection Control
225. CHAPTER 943 Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control
226. TITLE FIVE - Other Public Services
227. CHAPTER 955 Solid Waste Disposal
228. CHAPTER 957 Solid Waste Collection Review Board
229. CHAPTER 961 Emergency Medical Services
230. CHAPTER 973 Parks and Recreation
231. PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
232. TITLE ONE - Zoning Administration
233. CHAPTER 1105 Purpose and Interpretation
234. CHAPTER 1107 Definitions
235. CHAPTER 1109 Administration and Enforcement
236. CHAPTER 1111 Board of Zoning Appeals
237. CHAPTER 1113 Amendments
238. TITLE THREE - Zoning Districts and Regulations
239. CHAPTER 1121 Zoning Districts and Map
240. CHAPTER 1123 Public Facilities District
241. CHAPTER 1125 Agricultural District
242. CHAPTER 1129 Residential Districts
243. CHAPTER 1133 Business Districts
244. CHAPTER 1137 Commercial Districts
245. CHAPTER 1139 Manufacturing Districts
246. TITLE FIVE - Additional Zoning Requirements
247. CHAPTER 1141 Sexually Oriented Businesses
248. CHAPTER 1143 Sign Regulations
249. CHAPTER 1145 Supplemental Area and Height Regulations
250. CHAPTER 1147 Manufactured Homes
251. CHAPTER 1149 Site Plan Review and Off-Street Parking
252. CHAPTER 1151 Nonconforming Structures and Uses
253. CHAPTER 1153 Wind Energy Conversion Systems
254. CHAPTER 1154 Outdoor Telephone Pay Stations
255. CHAPTER 1155 Planned Unit Development
256. CHAPTER 1157 Flood Damage Reduction
257. CHAPTER 1159 Community Entertainment District
258. CHAPTER 1161 Landmark Preservation
259. APPENDIX I ZONE MAP AMENDMENTS
260. ZONING WAIVERS AND VARIANCES
261. APPENDIX II ZONING WAIVERS AND VARIANCES
262. TITLE SEVEN - Subdivision Regulations
263. CHAPTER 1175 Title, Jurisdiction, and Purpose
264. CHAPTER 1177 Definitions
265. CHAPTER 1179 Subdivision Procedures
266. CHAPTER 1181 Plat Requirements
267. CHAPTER 1183 Required Improvements and Design Criteria
268. CHAPTER 1185 Agreements and Guarantees
269. CHAPTER 1187 Administration and Enforcement
270. PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
271. TITLE ONE - Building Administration
272. CHAPTER 1305 Permits and Fees
273. CHAPTER 1309 Building Code Board of Appeals
274. CHAPTER 1313 Electrician Examining Board
275. CHAPTER 1315 Plumber Examining Board
276. CHAPTER 1317 Contractors
277. TITLE THREE - State and Model Codes Adopted
278. CHAPTER 1321 Ohio Building Code
279. CHAPTER 1325 Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two- and Three-Family Dwellings
280. TITLE FIVE - Additional Local Provisions
281. CHAPTER 1329 Donation Drop Boxes
282. CHAPTER 1333 Fire-Damaged or Deteriorated Structures
283. CHAPTER 1335 Lot Drainage
284. CHAPTER 1339 Foreclosed Properties and Buildings
285. CHAPTER 1341 Environmental Health Housing Code
286. CHAPTER 1343 Commercial and Industrial Property Maintenance Code
287. CHAPTER 1345 Dangerous or Unfit Buildings
288. CHAPTER 1347 Non-Vacant Commercial Building Property Maintenance
289. CHAPTER 1349 Electrical Code
290. CHAPTER 1353 Plumbing Code
291. CHAPTER 1357 Boathouse Building Code
292. CHAPTER 1359 Downtown Design Review Process
293. CHAPTER 1365 Abandoned Signs and Billboards
294. CHAPTER 1371 Mobile Home Code
295. CHAPTER 1375 Signs
296. CHAPTER 1377 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Code Enforcement
297. PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
298. CHAPTER 1503 Outdoor Wood Furnaces
299. CHAPTER 1505 Registration of Vacant Commercial and Industrial Buildings
300. CHAPTER 1507 Blasting
301. CHAPTER 1519 Fireworks