(A) (1) The chief of a law enforcement agency of the municipal corporation, upon complaint of any person adversely affected, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in R.C. § 4513.63, that has been left on private residential or private agricultural property for at least four hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property. The chief, upon complaint of a repair garage or place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle, that has been left at the garage or place of storage for a longer period than that agreed upon. When ordering a motor vehicle into storage pursuant to this division, the chief may arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle by a towing service and shall designate a storage facility.
(2) A towing service towing a motor vehicle under division (A)(1) of this section shall remove the motor vehicle in accordance with that division. The towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the chief not more than two hours after the time it is removed from the private property, unless the towing service is unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that is not within the power of the towing service.
(3) Subject to division (B) of this section, the owner of a motor vehicle that has been removed pursuant to this division may recover the vehicle only in accordance with division (D) of this section.
(4) As used in this section, PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY means private property on which is located one or more structures that are used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons, if no more than three separate households are maintained in the structure or structures. The phrase does not include any private property on which is located one or more structures that are used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by two or more persons, if more than three separate households are maintained in the structure or structures.
(B) (1) If the owner or operator of a motor vehicle that has been ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section arrives after the motor vehicle has been prepared for removal, but prior to its actual removal from the property, the towing service shall give the owner or operator oral or written notification at the time of such arrival that the vehicle owner or operator may pay a fee of not more than one-half of the fee for the removal of the motor vehicle established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25, in order to obtain release of the motor vehicle. However, if the vehicle is within a municipal corporation and the municipal corporation has established a vehicle removal fee, the towing service shall give the owner or operator oral or written notification that the owner or operator may pay not more than one-half of that fee to obtain release of the motor vehicle. That fee may be paid by use of a major credit card unless the towing service uses a mobile credit card processor and mobile service is not available at the time of the transaction.
(2) Upon payment of the applicable fee, the towing service shall give the vehicle owner or operator a receipt showing both the full amount normally assessed and the actual amount received and shall release the motor vehicle to the owner or operator. Upon its release, the owner or operator immediately shall move it so that it is not on the private residential or private agricultural property without the permission of the person having the right to possession of the property, or is not at the garage or place of storage without the permission of the owner, whichever is applicable.
(C) (1) The chief of a law enforcement agency in the municipal corporation shall maintain a record of motor vehicles that the chief orders into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section. The record shall include an entry for each such motor vehicle that identifies the motor vehicle’s license number, make, model, and color, the location from which it was removed, the date and time of its removal, the telephone number of the person from whom it may be recovered, and the address of the place to which it has been taken and from which it may be recovered. The chief shall provide any information in the record that pertains to a particular motor vehicle to any person who, either in person or pursuant to a telephone call, identifies self as the owner or operator of the motor vehicle and requests information pertaining to its location.
(2) Any person who registers a complaint that is the basis of the chief’s order for the removal and storage of a motor vehicle under division (A)(1) of this section shall provide the identity of the law enforcement agency with which the complaint was registered to any person who identifies self as the owner or operator of the motor vehicle and requests information pertaining to its location.
(D) (1) The owner or lienholder of a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section may reclaim it upon both of the following:
(a) Payment of all applicable fees established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25 or, if the vehicle was towed within a municipal corporation that has established fees for vehicle removal and storage, payment of all applicable fees established by the municipal corporation.
(b) Presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the motor vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement.
(2) When the owner of a vehicle towed under this section retrieves the vehicle, the towing service or storage facility in possession of the vehicle shall give the owner written notice that if the owner disputes that the motor vehicle was lawfully towed, the owner may be able to file a civil action under R.C. § 4513.611.
(3) Upon presentation of proof of ownership as required under division (D)(1)(b) of this section, the owner of a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage under division (A)(1) of this section may retrieve any personal items from the motor vehicle without retrieving the vehicle and without paying any fee. However, a towing service or storage facility may charge an after-hours retrieval fee established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25 if the owner retrieves the personal items after hours, unless the towing service or storage facility fails to provide the notice required under R.C. § 4513.69(B)(3), if applicable. The owner of a motor vehicle shall not do either of the following:
(a) Retrieve any personal item that has been determined by the chief to be necessary to a criminal investigation;
(b) Retrieve any personal item from a vehicle if it would endanger the safety of the owner, unless the owner agrees to sign a waiver of liability.
(4) For purposes of division (D)(3) of this section, “personal items” do not include any items that are attached to the motor vehicle.
(5) If a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section remains unclaimed by the owner for 30 days, the procedures established by R.C. §§ 4513.61 and 4513.62 apply.
(E) (1) No person shall remove, or cause the removal of, any motor vehicle from any private residential or private agricultural property other than in accordance with division (A)(1) of this section or R.C. §§ 4513.61 to 4513.65.
(2) No towing service or storage facility shall fail to comply with the requirements of this section.
(F) This section does not apply to any private residential or private agricultural property that is established as a private tow-away zone in accordance with division (H) of this section or R.C. § 4513.601.
(G) Whoever violates division (E) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.60) (Rev. 2024)
(H) Private tow-away zones.
(1) The owner of a private property may establish a private tow-away zone, but may do so only if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The owner of the private property posts on the property a sign, that is at least 18 inches by 24 inches in size, that is visible from all entrances to the property, and that includes all of the following information:
1. A statement that the property is a tow-away zone;
2. A description of persons authorized to park on the property. If the property is a residential property, the owner of the private property may include on the sign a statement that only tenants and guests may park in the private tow-away zone, subject to the terms of the property owner. If the property is a commercial property, the owner of the private property may include on the sign a statement that only customers may park in the private tow-away zone. In all cases, if it is not apparent which persons may park in the private tow-away zone, the owner of the private property shall include on the sign the address of the property on which the private tow-away zone is located or the name of the business that is located on the property designated as a private tow-away zone.
3. If the private tow-away zone is not enforceable at all times, the times during which the parking restrictions are enforced;
4. The telephone number and the address of the place from which a towed vehicle may be recovered at any time during the day or night;
5. A statement that the failure to recover a towed vehicle may result in the loss of title to the vehicle as provided in R.C. § 4505.101(B).
6. In order to comply with the requirements of division (H)(1)(a) of this section, the owner of a private property may modify an existing sign by affixing to the existing sign stickers or an addendum in lieu of replacing the sign.
(b) A towing service ensures that a vehicle towed under this division (H) is taken to a location from which it may be recovered that complies with all of the following:
1. It is located within 25 linear miles of the location of the private tow-away zone, unless it is not practicable to take the vehicle to a place of storage within 25 linear miles.
2. It is well-lighted.
3. It is on or within a reasonable distance of a regularly scheduled route of one or more modes of public transportation, if any public transportation is available in the municipal corporation or township in which the private tow-away zone is located.
(2) (a) If a vehicle is parked on private property that is established as a private tow-away zone in accordance with division (H)(1) of this section, without the consent of the owner of the private property or in violation of any posted parking condition or regulation, the owner of the private property may cause the removal of the vehicle by a towing service. The towing service shall remove the vehicle in accordance with this division (H). The vehicle owner and the operator of the vehicle are considered to have consented to the removal and storage of the vehicle, to the payment of the applicable fees established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25, and to the right of a towing service to obtain title to the vehicle if it remains unclaimed as provided in R.C. § 4505.101. The owner or lienholder of a vehicle that has been removed under this division (H), subject to division (H)(3) of this section, may recover the vehicle in accordance with division (H)(7) of this section.
(b) If a municipal corporation requires tow trucks and tow truck operators to be licensed, no owner of a private property located within the municipal corporation shall cause the removal and storage of any vehicle pursuant to division (H)(2) of this section by an unlicensed tow truck or unlicensed tow truck operator.
(c) No towing service shall remove a vehicle from a private tow-away zone except pursuant to a written contract for the removal of vehicles entered into with the owner of the private property on which the private tow- away zone is located.
(3) If the owner or operator of a vehicle that is being removed under authority of division (H)(2) of this section arrives after the vehicle has been prepared for removal, but prior to its actual removal from the property, the towing service shall give the vehicle owner or operator oral or written notification at the time of such arrival that the vehicle owner or operator may pay a fee of not more than one-half of the fee for the removal of the vehicle established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25 in order to obtain release of the vehicle. That fee may be paid by use of a major credit card unless the towing service uses a mobile credit card processor and mobile service is not available at the time of the transaction. Upon payment of that fee, the towing service shall give the vehicle owner or operator a receipt showing both the full amount normally assessed and the actual amount received and shall release the vehicle to the owner or operator. Upon its release, the owner or operator immediately shall move the vehicle so that the vehicle is not parked on the private property established as a private tow-away zone without the consent of the owner of the private property or in violation of any posted parking condition or regulation.
(4) (a) Prior to towing a vehicle under division (H)(2) of this section, a towing service shall make all reasonable efforts to take as many photographs as necessary to evidence that the vehicle is clearly parked on private property in violation of a private tow-away zone established under division (H)(1) of this section. The towing service shall record the time and date of the photographs taken under this division (H). The towing service shall retain the photographs and the record of the time and date, in electronic or printed form, for at least 30 days after the date on which the vehicle is recovered by the owner or lienholder or at least two years after the date on which the vehicle was towed, whichever is earlier.
(b) A towing service shall deliver a vehicle towed under division (H)(2) of this section to the location from which it may be recovered not more than two hours after the time it was removed from the private tow-away zone, unless the towing service is unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that is not within the power of the towing service.
(5) (a) If an owner of a private property that is established as a private tow-away zone in accordance with division (H)(1) of this section causes the removal of a vehicle from that property by a towing service under division (H)(2) of this section, the towing service, within two hours of removing the vehicle, shall provide notice to the law enforcement agency of the municipal corporation concerning all of the following:
1. The vehicle’s license number, make, model, and color;
2. The location from which the vehicle was removed;
3. The date and time the vehicle was removed;
4. The telephone number of the person from whom the vehicle may be recovered;
5. The address of the place from which the vehicle may be recovered.
(b) The chief of a law enforcement agency of the municipal corporation shall maintain a record of any vehicle removed from private property in the chief’s jurisdiction that is established as a private tow-away zone of which the chief has received notice under this division (H). The record shall include all information submitted by the towing service. The chief shall provide any information in the record that pertains to a particular vehicle to a person who, either in person or pursuant to a telephone call, identifies self as the owner, operator, or lienholder of the vehicle and requests information pertaining to the vehicle.
(6) (a) When a vehicle is removed from private property in accordance with this section, within three business days of the removal, the towing service or storage facility from which the vehicle may be recovered shall cause a search to be made of either of the following to ascertain the identity of the owner and any lienholder of the vehicle:
1. The records of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles;
2. The records of any vendor or vendors, approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, that are capable of providing real-time access to owner and lienholder information.
(b) The towing service or storage facility may search the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System in order to determine the state in which the vehicle is titled. The entity that provides the record of the owner and any lienholder under this division shall ensure that such information is provided in a timely manner.
(c) Subject to division (H)(6)(f) of this section, the towing service or storage facility shall send notice to the vehicle owner and any known lienholder as follows:
1. Within five business days after the applicable entity provides the identity of the owner and any lienholder of the motor vehicle, if the vehicle remains unclaimed, to the owner’s and lienholder’s last known address by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt;
2. If the vehicle remains unclaimed 30 days after the first notice is sent, in the manner required under division (H)(6)(c)1. of this section.
(d) Sixty days after any notice sent pursuant to division (H)(6)(c) of this section is received, as evidenced by a receipt signed by any person, or the towing service or storage facility has been notified that delivery was not possible, the towing service or storage facility, if authorized under R.C. § 4505.101(B), may initiate the process for obtaining a certificate of title to the motor vehicle as provided in that section.
(e) A towing service or storage facility that does not receive a signed receipt of notice, or a notification that delivery was not possible, shall not obtain, and shall not attempt to obtain, a certificate of title to the motor vehicle under R.C. § 4505.101(B).
(f) With respect to a vehicle concerning which a towing service or storage facility is not eligible to obtain title under R.C. § 4505.101, the towing service or storage facility need only comply with the initial notice required under division (H)(6)(c)1. of this section.
(7) (a) The owner or lienholder of a vehicle that is removed under division (H)(2) of this section may reclaim it upon both of the following:
1. Presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement;
2. Payment of the following fees:
a. All applicable fees established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25, except that the lienholder of a vehicle may retrieve the vehicle without paying any storage fee for the period of time that the vehicle was in the possession of the towing service or storage facility prior to the date the lienholder received the notice sent under division (H)(6)(a)1. of this section;
b. If notice has been sent to the owner and lienholder as described in division (H)(6) of this section, a processing fee of $25.
(b) A towing service or storage facility in possession of a vehicle that is removed under authority of division (H)(2) of this section shall show the vehicle owner, operator, or lienholder who contests the removal of the vehicle all photographs taken under division (H)(4) of this section. Upon request, the towing service or storage facility shall provide a copy of all photographs in the medium in which the photographs are stored, whether paper, electronic, or otherwise.
(c) When the owner of a vehicle towed under this section retrieves the vehicle, the towing service or storage facility in possession of the vehicle shall give the owner written notice that if the owner disputes that the motor vehicle was lawfully towed, the owner may be able to file a civil action under R.C. § 4513.611.
(d) Upon presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement, the owner of a vehicle that is removed under authority of division (H)(2) of this section may retrieve any personal items from the vehicle without retrieving the vehicle and without paying any fee. The owner of the vehicle shall not retrieve any personal items from a vehicle if it would endanger the safety of the owner, unless the owner agrees to sign a waiver of liability. For purposes of division (H)(7)(d) of this section, “personal items” do not include any items that are attached to the vehicle.
(8) No person shall remove, or cause the removal of, any vehicle from private property that is established as a private tow-away zone under this division (H) or store such a vehicle other than in accordance with this division (H), or otherwise fail to comply with any applicable requirement of this division (H).
(9) This section does not affect or limit the operation of divisions (A) through (G) of this section, R.C. § 4513.60 or R.C. §§ 4513.61 to 4613.65 as they relate to property other than private property that is established as a private tow-away zone under division (H)(1) of this section.
(10) Whoever violates division (H)(8) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(11) As used in this section, “owner of a private property” or “owner of the private property” includes, with respect to a private property, any of the following:
(a) Any person who holds title to the property;
(b) Any person who is a lessee or sublessee with respect to a lease or sublease agreement for the property;
(c) A person who is authorized to manage the property;
(d) A duly authorized agent of any person listed in divisions (H)(11)(a) to (H)(11)(c) of this section.
(R.C. § 4513.601) (Rev. 2024)
(A) The Police Chief, upon notification to the Police Chief of such action and of the location of the place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, including an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in R.C. § 4513.63, that:
(1) Has come into the possession of the Police chief as a result of the performance of the Police Chief’s duties; or
(2) Has been left on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, for 48 hours or longer without notification to the Police Chief of the reasons for leaving the motor vehicle in such place. However, when such a motor vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic it may be ordered into storage immediately unless either of the following applies:
(a) The vehicle was involved in an accident and is subject to R.C. § 4513.66, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance;
(b) The vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle. If the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, the Police Chief shall allow the owner or operator of the vehicle the opportunity to arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle within a period of time specified by the Police Chief. If the Police Chief determines that the vehicle cannot be removed within the specified period of time, the Police Chief shall order the removal of the vehicle.
(3) Subject to division (C) of this section, the Police Chief shall designate the place of storage of any motor vehicle so ordered removed.
(B) If the Police Chief issues an order under division (A) of this section and arranges for the removal of a motor vehicle by a towing service, the towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the Police Chief not more than two hours after the time it is removed.
(C) (1) The Police Chief shall cause a search to be made of the records of an applicable entity listed in R.C. § 4513.601(F)(1) to ascertain the identity of the owner and any lienholder of a motor vehicle ordered into storage by the Police Chief within five business days of the removal of the vehicle. Upon obtaining such identity, the Police Chief shall send or cause to be sent to the owner and any lienholder at the owner’s and any lienholder’s last known address by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt. The notice shall inform the owner and any lienholder that the motor vehicle will be declared a nuisance and disposed of if not claimed within ten days of the date of the sending of the notice.
(2) (a) The owner or lienholder of the motor vehicle is responsible for payment of any expenses or charges incurred in its removal and storage and may reclaim the motor vehicle upon payment of those expenses or charges, and presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title or memorandum certificate of title to the motor vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement. Upon presentation of proof of ownership evidenced as provided above, the owner of the motor vehicle also may retrieve any personal items from the vehicle without retrieving the vehicle and without paying any fee. However, a towing service or storage facility may charge an after- hours retrieval fee established by the Public Utilities Commission in rules adopted under R.C. § 4921.25 if the owner retrieves the personal items after hours, unless the towing service or storage facility fails to provide the notice required under R.C. § 4513.69(B)(3), if applicable. However, the owner shall not do either of the following:
1. Retrieve any personal item that has been determined by the Police Chief to be necessary to a criminal investigation;
2. Retrieve any personal item from a vehicle if it would endanger the safety of the owner, unless the owner agrees to sign a waiver of liability.
(b) For purposes of division (C)(2) of this section, “personal items” do not include any items that are attached to the vehicle.
(3) If the owner or lienholder of the motor vehicle reclaims it after a search of the applicable records has been conducted and after notice has been sent to the ow- ner and any lienholder as described in this section, and the search was conducted by the place of storage, and the notice was sent to the motor vehicle owner by the place of storage, the owner or lienholder shall pay to the place of storage a processing fee of $25, in addition to any expenses or charges incurred in the removal and storage of the vehicle.
(D) If the owner or lienholder makes no claim to the motor vehicle within ten days of the date of sending the notice, and if the vehicle is to be disposed of at public auction as provided in R.C. § 4513.62 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the Police Chief, without charge to any party, shall file with the clerk of courts of the county in which the place of storage is located an affidavit showing compliance with the requirements of this section. Upon presentation of the affidavit, the clerk, without charge, shall issue a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, to the Police Chief. If the vehicle is to be disposed of to a motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility as provided in R.C. § 4513.62 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the Police Chief shall execute in triplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, describing the motor vehicle and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of this section have been complied with. The Police Chief shall retain the original of the affidavit for the Police Chief’s records, and shall furnish two copies to the motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility. Upon presentation of a copy of the affidavit by the motor vehicle salvage dealer, the clerk of courts, within 30 days of the presentation, shall issue a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.
(E) Whenever a motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility receives an affidavit for the disposal of a motor vehicle as provided in this section, the dealer or facility shall not be required to obtain an Ohio certificate of title to the motor vehicle in the dealer’s or facility’s own name if the vehicle is dismantled or destroyed and both copies of the affidavit are delivered to the clerk of courts.
(F) No towing service or storage facility shall fail to comply with this section.
(R.C. § 4513.61) (Rev. 2025)
(A) An unclaimed motor vehicle ordered into storage pursuant to § 95.01(A)(1) or § 95.02 subject to one of the following:
(1) The chief of a law enforcement agency in the municipal corporation may dispose of it with a motor vehicle salvage dealer or scrap metal processing facility as defined in R.C. § 4737.05, or with any other facility owned by or under contract with the municipality for the disposal of such motor vehicles.
(2) The chief or a licensed auctioneer may sell the motor vehicle at public auction, after giving notice thereof by advertisement, published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or as provided in R.C. § 7.16.
(3) A towing service or storage facility may obtain title to the motor vehicle in accordance with R.C. § 4505.104.
(B) Any moneys accrued pursuant to division (A)(1) or (A)(2) of this section that are in excess of the expenses resulting from the removal and storage of the vehicle shall be credited to the general fund of the municipality.
(R.C. § 4513.62) (Rev. 2024)
(A) As used in this section, ABANDONED JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE means any motor vehicle meeting all of the following requirements:
(1) The vehicle is left on private property for 48 hours or longer without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of- way of any road or highway for 48 hours or longer;
(2) The vehicle is three years old or older;
(3) The vehicle is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission;
(4) The vehicle is apparently inoperable; and
(5) The vehicle has a fair market value of $1,500 or less.
(B) The Police Chief shall order any abandoned junk motor vehicle to be photographed by a law enforcement officer. The officer shall record the make of motor vehicle, the serial number when available, and shall also detail the damage or missing equipment to substantiate the value of $1,500 or less. The Police Chief shall thereupon immediately dispose of the abandoned junk motor vehicle to a motor vehicle salvage dealer as defined in R.C. § 4738.01 or a scrap metal processing facility as defined in R.C. § 4737.05 which is under contract to the municipality, or to any other facility owned by or under contract with the municipality for the destruction of such motor vehicles. The records and photographs relating to the abandoned junk motor vehicle shall be retained by the Police Department for a period of at least two years. The Police Department shall execute in quadruplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, describing the motor vehicle and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of R.C. § 4513.63 have been complied with, and, within 30 days of disposing of the vehicle, shall sign and file the affidavit with the clerk of courts of the county in which the motor vehicle was abandoned. The clerk of courts retains the original of the affidavit for the clerk’s files, furnishes one copy thereof to the Registrar, one copy to the motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility handling the disposal of the vehicle, and one copy to the Police Department, who shall file such copy with the records and photograph relating to the disposal.
(C) Any monies arising from the disposal of an abandoned junk motor vehicle shall be deposited in the general fund of the municipality.
(D) Notwithstanding § 95.02, any motor vehicle meeting the requirements of division (A)(3), (A)(4) and (A)(5) of this section which has remained unclaimed by the owner or lienholder for a period of ten days or longer following notification as provided in § 95.02 may be disposed of as provided in this section.
(R.C. §§ 4513.62, 4513.63) (Rev. 2025)
(A) (1) No person shall willfully leave an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in § 95.04 on private property for more than 72 hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, or on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway for 48 hours or longer without notification to the Police Chief of the reason for leaving the motor vehicle in such place.
(2) For purposes of this section, the fact that a motor vehicle has been so left without permission or notification is prima facie evidence of abandonment.
(3) Nothing contained in §§ 95.01, 95.02 and 95.04 and R.C. §§ 4513.60, 4513.61 and 4513.63 shall invalidate or prevent the enactment of further provisions of municipal ordinances regulating or prohibiting the abandonment of motor vehicles on streets, highways, public property, or private property within the municipality.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall also be assessed any costs incurred by the municipality in disposing of the abandoned junk motor vehicle that is the basis of the violation, less any money accruing to the municipality from the disposal of the vehicle.
(R.C. § 4513.64) (Rev. 2025)
(A) (1) As used in this section, JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE means any motor vehicle meeting the requirements of § 95.04(A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4) and (A)(5) that is left uncovered in the open on private property for more than 72 hours with the permission of the person having the right to possession of the property, except if the person is operating a junk yard or scrap metal processing facility licensed under the authority of R.C. §§ 4737.05 through 4737.12, or otherwise regulated under authority of a political subdivision; or if the property on which the motor vehicle is left is not subject to licensure or regulation by any governmental authority, unless the person having the right to the possession of the property can establish that the motor vehicle is part of a bona fide commercial operation; or if the motor vehicle is a collector’s vehicle.
(2) The municipality shall not prevent a person from storing or keeping, or restrict him or her in the method of storing or keeping, any collector’s vehicle on private property with the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, except that the municipality may require a person having such permission to conceal, by means of buildings, fences, vegetation, terrain, or other suitable obstruction, any unlicensed collector’s vehicle stored in the open.
(3) The Police Chief, the Legislative Authority, or the zoning authority may send notice, by certified mail with return receipt requested, to the person having the right to the possession of the property on which a junk motor vehicle is left, that within ten days of receipt of the notice, the junk motor vehicle either shall be covered by being housed in a garage or other suitable structure, or shall be removed from the property.
(4) No person shall willfully leave a junk motor vehicle uncovered in the open for more than ten days after receipt of a notice as provided in this section. The fact that a junk motor vehicle is so left is prima facie evidence of willful failure to comply with the notice, and each subsequent period of 30 days that a junk motor vehicle continues to be so left constitutes a separate offense.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4513.65) (Rev. 2025)