Building, Structure or Outdoor Location to be Secured Against Unauthorized Entry; Warning Signs
Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 396.05
in effect§ 396.05 Building, Structure or Outdoor Location to be Secured Against Unauthorized Entry; Warning Signs
(a) Before closing or vacating a facility, the owner, operator, or party in control of the facility shall secure against unauthorized entry each building or structure at the facility and each outdoor location by one (1) or more of the following methods:
(1) Boarding or locking windows, doors and other potential means of entry;
(2) Providing security personnel to patrol the facility on a twenty-four (24) hours-a-day, seven (7) days-a-week basis;
(3) Providing secure fencing;
(4) Providing lighting and a surveillance system;
(5) Using any other method or methods that are approved by the Fire Chief or the Fire Chief’s designee.
(b) The owner, operator, or party in control shall post about each building, structure, or outdoor location in publicly-visible locations warning signs that prohibit trespassing and, if applicable, state that the facility may contain regulated substances that may endanger public health or safety if released into the environment or may constitute a fire hazard. The signs shall be constructed to withstand weathering, be firmly affixed to secure against removal in an approved manner, and consist of all of the following: 1. White reflective background with red letters; 2. Durable material; 3. Numerals shall be Roman or Latin numerals, as required, or alphabet letters; 4. The width and height of the letter shall be 6 inches by 6 inches (152 mm by 152 mm); 5. The height or width of each Maltese cross wing area shall be 1 1/8 inches (29 mm) and have a stroke width of 1/2 inch (13 mm); 6. The center of the Maltese cross, a circle or oval, shall be 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter and have a stroke width of 1/2 inch (13 mm); and 7. All Roman numerals and alphabetic designations, shall be 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) height and have a stroke width of 1/4 inch (6 mm).
(c) The owner, operator, or party in control shall continue to ensure that the facility is secured against unauthorized entry by maintaining the security measures and the warning signs until the facility is transferred to another owner, operator, or party in control. All fire protection systems shall remain in service and be maintained as required by the Ohio Fire Code.
(d) Promptly after discovering, or after receiving notice from the Fire Division, whichever is earlier, that any of the entry barriers or warning signs installed pursuant to this section have been damaged, lost, or removed, the owner, operator, or party in control shall repair or replace them.
(e) A person or entity acquiring title to or control over a facility which is closed or vacant shall comply with the requirements of this section immediately upon acquiring title or control.
(Ord. No. 987-2024. Passed 10-7-24, eff. 10-10-24)
Source: City of Cleveland, Ohio, Codified Ordinances and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-19090Fetched: 11/1/2026