(A) (1) Upon any highway, no person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the paved or main traveled part of the highway if it is practicable to stop, park, or so leave such vehicle off the paved or main traveled part of the highway. In every event a clear and unobstructed portion of the highway opposite such standing vehicle shall be left for the free passage of other vehicles, and a clear view of such stopped vehicle shall be available from a distance of 200 feet in each direction upon such highway.
(2) This section does not apply to the driver of any vehicle which is disabled while on the paved or improved or main traveled portion of a highway in such manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the disabled vehicle in such position.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.66) (Rev. 2004)
(A) (1) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, effectively setting the parking brake, and, when the motor vehicle is standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.
(2) The requirements of this section relating to the stopping of the engine, locking of the ignition, and removing the key from the ignition of a motor vehicle do not apply to any of the following:
(a) A motor vehicle that is parked on residential property;
(b) A motor vehicle that is locked, regardless of where it is parked;
(c) An emergency vehicle;
(d) A public safety vehicle.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.661) (Rev. 2018)
(A) Whenever any police officer finds a vehicle standing upon a highway in violation of R.C. § 4511.66 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, such officer may move such vehicle, or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move the same, to a position off the paved or improved or main traveled part of such highway.
(B) Whenever any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any highway, bridge, or causeway, or in any tunnel, where such vehicles constitutes an obstruction to traffic, such officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle to the nearest garage or other place of safety.
(R.C. § 4511.67) (Rev. 1999)
(A) No person shall stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the provisions of this title, or while obeying the directions of a police officer or a traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
(1) On a sidewalk, except as provided in division (B) of this section;
(2) In front of a public or private driveway;
(3) Within an intersection;
(4) Within ten feet of a fire hydrant;
(5) On a crosswalk;
(6) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
(7) Within 30 feet of, and upon the approach to, any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control device;
(8) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless a different length is indicated by a traffic-control device;
(9) Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;
(10) Within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to any fire station and, on the side of the street opposite the entrance to any fire station, within 75 feet of the entrance when it is properly posted with signs;
(11) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such standing or parking would obstruct traffic;
(12) Alongside any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;
(13) Upon any bridge or elevated structure upon a highway, or within a highway tunnel;
(14) At any place where signs prohibit stopping;
(15) Within one foot of another parked vehicle;
(16) On the roadway portion of a freeway, expressway, or thruway.
(B) A person is permitted, without charge or restriction, to stand or park on a sidewalk a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter that has an engine not larger than 150 cubic centimeters, a low-speed micromobility device, or a bicycle or electric bicycle, provided that the motor-driven cycle, motor scooter, low-speed micromobility device, bicycle, or electric bicycle does not impede the normal flow of pedestrian traffic. This division does not authorize any person to operate a vehicle in violation of R.C. § 4511.711, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.68) (Rev. 2022)
(A) Every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there is an adjacent curb shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle parallel with and not more than 12 inches from the right-hand curb, unless it is impossible to approach so close to the curb; in such case the stop shall be made as close to the curb as possible and only for the time necessary to discharge and receive passengers or to load or unload merchandise. Local authorities by ordinance may permit angle parking on any roadway under their jurisdiction, except that angle parking shall not be permitted on a state route within the municipality unless an unoccupied roadway width of not less than 25 feet is available for free-moving traffic.
(B) Local authorities by ordinance may permit parking of vehicles with the left-hand wheels adjacent to and within 12 inches of the left-hand curb of a one-way roadway.
(C) (1) (a) Except as provided in division (C)(1)(b) of this section, no vehicle shall be stopped or parked on a road or highway with the vehicle facing in a direction other than the direction of travel on that side of the road or highway.
(b) The operator of a motorcycle may back the motorcycle into an angled parking space so that when the motorcycle is parked it is facing in a direction other than the direction of travel on the side of the road or highway.
(2) The operator of a motorcycle may back the motorcycle into a parking space that is located on the side of, and parallel to, a road or highway. The motorcycle may face any direction when so parked. Not more than two motorcycles at a time shall be parked in a parking space as described in division (C)(2) of this section irrespective of whether or not the space is metered.
(D) Notwithstanding any statute or any rule, regulation, resolution, or ordinance, air compressors, tractors, trucks, and other equipment, while being used in the construction, reconstruction, installation, repair, or removal of facilities near, on, over, or under a street or highway, may stop, stand, or park where necessary in order to perform such work, provided a flagperson is on duty or warning signs or lights are displayed as may be prescribed by the Director of Transportation.
(E) Accessible parking locations and privileges for persons with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk shall be provided and designated by all political subdivisions and by the state and all agencies and instrumentalities thereof at all offices and facilities where parking is provided, whether owned, rented, or leased, and at all publicly owned parking garages. The locations shall be designated through the posting of an elevated sign, whether permanently affixed or movable, imprinted with the international symbol of access and shall be reasonably close to exits, entrances, elevators, and ramps. All elevated signs posted in accordance with this division and R.C. § 3781.111(C) shall be mounted on a fixed or movable post, and the distance from the ground to the bottom edge of the sign shall measure not less than five feet. If a new sign or a replacement sign designating an accessible parking location is posted on or after October 14, 1999, there also shall be affixed upon the surface of that sign or affixed next to the designating sign a notice that states the fine applicable for the offense of parking a motor vehicle in the designated accessible parking location if the motor vehicle is not legally entitled to be parked in that location.
(F) (1) (a) No person shall stop, stand, or park any motor vehicle at accessible parking locations provided under division (E) of this section, or at accessible clearly marked parking locations provided in or on privately owned parking lots, parking garages, or other parking areas and designated in accordance with that division, unless one of the following applies:
1. The motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk and is displaying a valid removable windshield placard or accessible license plates; or
2. The motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability and is displaying a parking card or accessible license plates.
(b) Any motor vehicle that is parked in an accessible marked parking location in violation of division (F)(1)(a)1. or (F)(1)(a)2. of this section may be towed or otherwise removed from the parking location by the law enforcement agency of the municipality. A motor vehicle that is so towed or removed shall not be released to its owner until the owner presents proof of ownership of the motor vehicle and pays all towing and storage fees normally imposed by the municipality for towing and storing motor vehicles. If the motor vehicle is a leased vehicle, it shall not be released to the lessee until the lessee presents proof that that person is the lessee of the motor vehicle and pays all towing and storage fees normally imposed by the municipality for towing and storing motor vehicles.
(c) If a person is charged with a violation of division (F)(1)(a)1. or (F)(1)(a)2. of this section, it is an affirmative defense to the charge that the person suffered an injury not more than 72 hours prior to the time the person was issued the ticket or citation and that, because of the injury, the person meets at least one of the criteria contained in R.C. § 4503.44(A)(1).
(2) No person shall stop, stand, or park any motor vehicle in an area that is commonly known as an access aisle, which area is marked by diagonal stripes and is located immediately adjacent to an accessible parking location provided under division (E) of this section or at an accessible clearly marked parking location provided in or on a privately owned parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area and designated in accordance with that division.
(G) When a motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk and is displaying a removable windshield placard or accessible license plates, or when a motor vehicle is being operated by or for the transport of a person with a disability and is displaying a parking card or accessible license plates, the motor vehicle is permitted to park for a period of two hours in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police rules provide otherwise or where the vehicle is parked in such a manner as to be clearly a traffic hazard.
(H) No owner of an office, facility, or parking garage where accessible parking locations are required to be designated in accordance with division (E) of this section shall fail to properly mark the accessible parking locations in accordance with that division or fail to maintain the markings of the accessible locations, including the erection and maintenance of the fixed or movable signs.
(I) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a person or organization to apply for a removable windshield placard or accessible license plates if the parking card or accessible license plates issued to the person or organization under prior law have not expired or been surrendered or revoked.
(J) As used in this section:
ACCESSIBLE LICENSE PLATES and REMOVABLE WINDSHIELD PLACARD. Mean any license plates, standard removable windshield placard, permanent removable windshield placard, or temporary removable windshield placard issued under R.C. § 4503.41 or 4503.44, and also mean any substantially similar license plates or removable windshield placard issued by a state, district, country, or sovereignty.
PERSON WITH A DISABILITY. Means any person who has lost the use of one or both legs or one or both arms, who is blind, deaf, or unable to move without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair, or whose mobility is restricted by a permanent cardiovascular, pulmonary, or other disabling condition.
PERSON WITH A DISABILITY THAT LIMITS OR IMPAIRS THE ABILITY TO WALK. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4503.44.
(K) Penalty.
(1) Whoever violates division (A) or (C) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(2) (a) Whoever violates division (F)(1)(a)1. or (F)(1)(a)2. of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in division (K)(2)(a) and (K)(2)(b) of this section. Except as otherwise provided in division (K)(2)(a) of this section, an offender who violates division (F)(1)(a)1. or (F)(1)(a)2. of this section shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500. An offender who violates division (F)(1)(a)1. or (F)(1)(a)2. of this section shall be fined not more than $100 if the offender, prior to sentencing, proves either of the following to the satisfaction of the court:
1. At the time of the violation of division (F)(1)(a)1. of this section, the offender or the person for whose transport the motor vehicle was being operated had been issued a removable windshield placard that then was valid or accessible license plates that then were valid but the offender or the person neglected to display the placard or license plates as described in division (F)(1)(a)1. of this section.
2. At the time of the violation of division (F)(1)(a)2. of this section, the offender or the person for whose transport the motor vehicle was being operated had been issued a parking card that then was valid or accessible license plates that then were valid but the offender or the person neglected to display the card or license plates as described in division (F)(1)(a)2. of this section.
(b) In no case shall an offender who violates division (F)(1)(a)1. or (F)(1)(a)2. be sentenced to any term of imprisonment.
(c) An arrest or conviction for a violation of division (F)(1)(a)1. or (F)(1)(a)2. of this section does not constitute a criminal record and need not be reported by the person so arrested or convicted in response to any inquiries contained in any application for employment, license, or other right or privilege, or made in connection with the person’s appearance as a witness.
(d) The clerk of the court shall pay every fine collected under divisions (K)(2) and (K)(3) of this section to the municipality. Except as provided in division (K)(2) of this section, the municipality shall use the fine moneys it receives under divisions (K)(2) and (K)(3) of this section to pay the expenses it incurs in complying with the signage and notice requirements contained in division (E) of this section. The municipality may use up to 50% of each fine it receives under divisions (K)(2) and (K)(3) of this section to pay the costs of educational, advocacy, support, and assistive technology programs for persons with disabilities, and for public improvements within the municipality that benefit or assist persons with disabilities, if governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations offer the programs.
(3) Whoever violates division (F)(2) of this section shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500. In no case shall an offender who violates division (F)(2) of this section be sentenced to any term of imprisonment. An arrest or conviction for a violation of division (F)(2) of this section does not constitute a criminal record and need not be reported by the person so arrested or convicted in response to any inquiries contained in any application for employment, license, or other right or privilege, or made in connection with the person’s appearance as a witness.
(4) Whoever violates division (H) of this section shall be punished as follows:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (K)(4) of this section, the offender shall be issued a warning.
(b) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (H) of this section or of a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to that division, the offender shall not be issued a warning but shall be fined not more than $25 for each parking location that is not properly marked or whose markings are not properly maintained.
(R.C. § 4511.69) (Rev. 2024)
Cross-reference:Unlawful furnishing of prescription to enable persons to be issued handicapped parking placards or license plates, see § 138.17Statutory reference:Buildings, access for disabled persons, see R.C. § 3781.111(A) If an owner of private property posts on the property in a conspicuous manner a prohibition against parking on the property or conditions and regulations under which parking is permitted, no person shall do either of the following:
(1) Park a vehicle on the property without the owner’s consent;
(2) Park a vehicle on the property in violation of any condition or regulation posted by the owner.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4511.681) (Rev. 2004)
Cross-reference:Towing from private property, requirements, see § 95.01No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of:
(A) Displaying such vehicle for sale; or
(B) Washing, greasing or repairing such vehicle except repairs necessitated by an emergency.
(Rev. 2002) Penalty, see § 70.99
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or length of time, other than for the expeditious unloading and delivery or pickup and loading of materials, in any place marked as a truck loading zone during hours when the provisions applicable to such zones are in effect. In no case shall the stop for loading and unloading of materials exceed 30 minutes.
(Rev. 2002) Penalty, see § 70.99
(A) No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop, or other than a taxicab in a taxicab stand, when any such stop or stand has been officially designated and appropriately posted, except that the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop therein for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading passengers when such stopping does not interfere with any bus or taxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such zone, and then only for a period not to exceed three minutes, if such stopping is not prohibited therein by posted signs.
(B) No operator of a bus shall stop, stand or park such vehicle upon any street or other public way at any place for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or their baggage other than at a bus stop so designated and posted as such, except in case of an emergency.
(C) No operator of a bus shall fail to enter a bus stop on a street or other public way in such a manner that the bus when stopped to load or unload passengers or baggage is in a position with the right front wheel of such vehicle not further than 18 inches from the curb and the bus approximately parallel to the curb so as not to unduly impede the movement of other vehicular traffic.
(D) No operator of a taxicab shall stand or park such vehicle upon any street or other public way at any place other than in a taxicab stand so designated and posted as such. This provision shall not prevent the operator of a taxicab from temporarily stopping in accordance with other stopping or parking provisions at any place for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers.
(Rev. 2002) Penalty, see § 70.99
(A) No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle upon a street, other than an alley, in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten feet of the width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic, except that a driver may stop temporarily during the actual loading or unloading of passengers or when directed to by a police officer or traffic control signal.
(B) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within an alley except while actually loading and unloading, and then only for a period not to exceed 30 minutes.
(Rev. 2002) Penalty, see § 70.99
In any hearing on a charge of illegally parking a motor vehicle, testimony that a vehicle bearing a certain license plate was found unlawfully parked as prohibited by the provisions of this Traffic Code, and further testimony that the record of the Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles shows that the license plate was issued to the defendant, shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle which was unlawfully parked, was so parked by the defendant. A certified registration copy, showing such fact, from the Registrar shall be proof of such ownership.
(Rev. 2002)
Any person charged with a violation of any provision of this chapter for which payment of a prescribed fine may be made, may pay such sum in the manner prescribed on the issued traffic ticket. Such payment shall be deemed a plea of guilty, waiver of court appearance and acknowledgment of conviction of the alleged offense and may be accepted in full satisfaction of the prescribed penalty for such alleged violation. Payment of the prescribed fine need not be accepted when laws prescribe that a certain number of such offenses shall require court appearance.
(Rev. 2002)