Permits for special water events and temporary water access.
Columbus City Codes § 921.01-6
in effect921.01-6 - Permits for special water events and temporary water access.
(A) No person or organization shall conduct any race, regatta, or other special event upon the waters of the city without first obtaining written permission, upon application not less than thirty (30) days prior to the time of the proposed race, regatta, or event from the director. The director shall have the authority to direct the procedures of these scheduled events and, if necessary, prevent the operation of other boats in certain areas during the designated time of such event. The director shall timely inform the chief of police of the approved scheduled event.
(B) Waters of the city shall be open to all citizens on equal terms and none shall be given special privileges thereon, or be permitted to make use of the waters of the city for any purpose not practically common to all, except, upon written application, when it is in the best interest of the city to further recreational opportunities or to allow for temporary permissions, the director shall have the authority to issue permits and promulgate rules and regulations providing for the safe operation of activities conducted upon the waters of the city and to attach conditions to such permits.
(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that the operator of a vessel competing in a specially authorized race, regatta, or special event shall not attempt to attain high speeds on a marked racing course. Such events will provide for vessel operation on an hourly basis from non-affected areas.
(D) It shall be the duty of every person or organization claiming to have a permit issued by the director pursuant to this section to produce and display such permit upon the request of any law enforcement officer or authorized city of Columbus official.
(E) No person or organization shall recklessly fail to comply with the terms and conditions of any permit issued pursuant to this section.
(F) No person or organization shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel on the waters of the City in violation of division (A) of this section.
(Ord. 805-05 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 0698-2024, § 4, 4-15-2024)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT9STPAPUPRCO_CH921WARE_921.01-6PESPWAEVTEWAACFetched: 10/27/2026