SERVICE DIRECTOR; POWERS AND DUTIES

Columbus City Codes tit. 21, ch. 2105

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 2105.01 Designation and placement of traffic control devices.

2105.01 - Designation and placement of traffic control devices. The service director is authorized, and it shall be the service director's duty to cause to be placed and maintained all official traffic control devices. All traffic control devices required shall so far as practicable be uniform as to type and location throughout the city, and shall conform to the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, or to the Federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Section 2B.05 Stop Sign Applications and Section 2B.07 Multiway Stop Applications, when considering stop and multiway stop applications. (Ord. 1680-82; Ord. 1182-02 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.02 Complete Streets Policy.

2105.02 - Complete Streets Policy. (A) The service director shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with section 121.05 of the Columbus City Codes to adopt a complete streets policy for the city, in consultation with the administrator of mobility and parking services. The director shall evaluate the complete streets policy on an annual basis. This policy shall be designed, at minimum, to comply with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's complete streets policy for the purpose of ensuring the city's qualification for attributable federal funds. (B) Annually, the service director shall issue an official report on the status of the city's complete streets policy to the Mayor and City Council. The report shall contain, at minimum, each of the following: (1) Any changes to the city's complete streets policy that have been adopted since the previous report, including the rationale for whether and why any substantive changes to the complete streets policy were incorporated since the previous report; (2) A comprehensive review of new recommendations and best practices issued by the National Association of City Transportation Officials, the National Complete Streets Coalition, the American Planning Association, and other relevant organizations since the previous report. (C) As used in this section, "complete streets policy" means a set of guidelines and internal policies that emphasize the consideration of safety for all public infrastructure users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities, during the planning, design, and construction of public infrastructure. (Ord. No. 1392-2026, § 2, 5-18-2026)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.03 Traffic regulations by service director.

2105.03 - Traffic regulations by service director. The service director is empowered to make regulations necessary to make effective the provisions of this traffic code and to make temporary regulations to cover emergencies or special conditions. The service director shall also establish, by regulation promulgated in accordance with Section 121.05, reasonable rates for public parking facilities operated by the department of public service. Such rates will be based upon relevant cost factors as well as market conditions prevailing in the area served by the facilities and the need for public parking facilities to expedite the flow of traffic. In the event the service director is not available due to emergency or other reason, and the placement of such devices may be necessary to preserve the public safety and welfare the service director may delegate the promulgation of the relevant traffic orders to a designee. (Ord. 1683-92; Ord. No. 0128-2009, § 1, 2-9-2009; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.04 Filing notice with clerk—Effective date of regulations.

2105.04 - Filing notice with clerk—Effective date of regulations. The service director shall announce the intention to act pursuant to and under the authority granted this chapter by filing notice thereof with the City Clerk. Such action shall thereafter become effective at the date set forth in the notice unless council, by appropriate action, shall designate otherwise. (Ord. 2168-76; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.05 Purpose of regulations.

2105.05 - Purpose of regulations. In order to avoid those hazards incident to public travel and to protect the members of the general public while in the use of streets and highways, the service director is authorized and directed to establish and mark traffic control areas as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 2168-76.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.06 Traffic control signals.

2105.06 - Traffic control signals. The service director shall establish and designate traffic control signal intersections, at which intersections shall be maintained traffic control signals to regulate traffic. The service director shall have all necessary authority to install at such locations any lawful traffic control signal when in the service director's discretion it is necessary to expedite travel and promote public safety. (Ord. 2168-76; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.07 One-way traffic.

2105.07 - One-way traffic. The service director shall determine and designate streets, parts of streets, or specific lanes thereon upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one (1) direction only and shall place and maintain appropriate markings, signs, barriers, or other devices to give notice thereof. The service director may erect signs temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center line of the roadway. (Ord. 2168-76.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.08 Stop and yield intersections.

2105.08 - Stop and yield intersections. The service director shall establish and designate stop intersections and yield intersections, at which intersections shall be maintained the appropriate traffic control devices to regulate traffic and promote public safety. In designating stop controlled intersections the service director shall use the Federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Section 2B.05 Stop Sign Applications and Section 2B.07 Multiway Stop Application when considering stop and multiway stop applications. The service director shall have all necessary authority to erect, or cause to be erected, appropriate and legible signs or markers, upon which shall be displayed the word "stop" at all intersections designated by the director as stop intersections or the word "yield" at all intersections designated by the director as yield intersections. (Ord. 2168-76; Ord. 1182-02 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.09 Turns at intersections.

2105.09 - Turns at intersections. The service director shall place markers, buttons or signs within or adjacent to intersections indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning at such intersections or preventing turns at such intersections, and such course to be traveled as so indicated may conform to or be other than as prescribed by law or ordinance in order to expedite travel. (Ord. 2168-76.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.10 Through streets.

2105.10 - Through streets. The service director shall designate certain streets which shall be designated as through streets and shall be adequately signed, when such designated through streets attribute to accelerate the flow of travel and promote public safety. (Ord. 2168-76.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.11 Through trucks.

2105.11 - Through trucks. The service director shall designate and appropriately mark certain streets upon which no person shall drive or store any through truck. Such designation shall be made only upon the basis of an engineering survey which considers the width, structure, design or accident history of, or development along, a street. (Ord. 2022-83.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.12 Crosswalks.

2105.12 - Crosswalks. The service director shall establish and designate by appropriate devices, marks or lines upon the surface of the roadway, crosswalks at intersections where in the service director's opinion there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway, and at such other places as the service director may deem necessary in the interests of public safety. (Ord. 2168-76; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.13 Safety zones.

2105.13 - Safety zones. The service director shall establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such places as the service director may deem necessary for the protection of pedestrians. (Ord. 2168-76; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.14 Bus loading zones.

2105.14 - Bus loading zones. The service director shall mark or cause to be marked, by appropriate sign or other device, all areas used for loading and unloading passengers in connection with the operation of motor bus service for the protection of passengers and pedestrians. (Ord. 2168-76.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.15 Business loading zones.

2105.15 - Business loading zones. The service director shall: (a) Establish loading zones for the loading and unloading of passengers or merchandise or both, in areas where demand justifies the need and traffic conditions permit; (b) Establish valet parking zones as special business loading zones for the purpose of allowing valet parking service to operate; (c) Establish, modify, and change from time to time, rules and regulations for the application, inspection, and various fees to be charged for such business loading zones and such special loading zone for valet parking. Such regulations shall be signed by the service director, filed with the clerk of the city, and published in the City Bulletin. (Ord. 2631-91; Ord. No. 1811-2021, § 1, 10-18-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.16 Individual parking spaces.

2105.16 - Individual parking spaces. The service director shall designate individual parking spaces of approximately twenty (20) feet in length along the curb of streets in high demand parking areas such as downtown and outlying districts. Individual parking spaces shall be marked off by device, sign, or pavement marking. Each vehicle shall be parked entirely within an individual parking space and only one vehicle shall be parked within an individual parking space. A violation of this section constitutes the commission of a parking infraction to be handled pursuant to and governed by the provisions of Chapter 2150. (Ord. 2168-76: Ord 2120-03 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 1189-2018, §§ 2, 3, 5-21-2018)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.17 Parking prohibitions or restrictions.

2105.17 - Parking prohibitions or restrictions. Whenever the service director determines that traffic congestion on a street in the city is such that the restriction or prohibition of parking thereon is necessary to assure the safety of the public and the free flow of vehicular traffic, the service director may issue regulations restricting or prohibiting parking thereon. No prosecution shall be commenced for a violation of a regulation issued under this section unless adequate notice has been given to the public by means of signs or signals. (Ord. 2168-76; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.18 Traffic lanes—No passing zones.

2105.18 - Traffic lanes—No passing zones. The service director shall: (a) Mark lanes for traffic on street pavements at such places as the service director may deem advisable in the interest of public safety; and (b) Determine those portions of any street where overtaking and passing other traffic or driving to the left of center, or offset center, or center line of the street or roadway would be especially hazardous, and may, by appropriate signs or markings on the street or roadway, indicate the beginning and end of such zones. Such zones shall be so designated in the following manner, to-wit: an auxiliary yellow line placed parallel and to the right of the normal center line or offset center line. (Ord. 2168-76; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.19 Bike lanes, bike routes, bike parking and bike crossings.

2105.19 - Bike lanes, bike routes, bike parking and bike crossings. The Public Service Director shall: (a) Mark roadway pavement with painted lines, pavement coloration, symbols, curbing or other barriers to establish bikeways and bicycle parking on streets as the service director may deem advisable in the interest of public safety; (b) Mark by appropriate signs, bikeways and bicycle parking on streets as the service director may deem necessary in the interest of public safety; and (c) Mark by markings on the pavement and appropriate signs, bike crossings at such places on streets as the service director may deem necessary in the interest of public safety. (d) The foregoing authority shall apply equally to other mobility devices. (Ord. 1050-77; Ord. 1987-2008 Attach. 1 (part); Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2539-2018, § 2, 9-24-2018; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.20 Driveways.

2105.20 - Driveways. The service director is empowered to make rules and regulations for the approval of driveway plans to prevent the construction and use of driveways providing access from private property and to a public right-of-way where such access would adversely affect the safety, property and welfare of the traveling public or unreasonably interfere with the safe, orderly and efficient flow of traffic. (Ord. 1700-79.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.21 Permit parking.

2105.21 - Permit parking. Whenever the service director determines that on-street parking congestion in a particular district is such that the restriction or prohibition of parking during certain hours of the day and days of the week is necessary to reduce hazardous traffic conditions and to promote the health, safety and welfare of the district by providing adequate parking spaces to gain access to residences, businesses, and institutions, permit parking may be authorized in such districts. Such authorization shall be made only after a parking study has been conducted by the department of public service and shall be implemented by regulations promulgated by the service director pursuant to Section 2105.03 of the City Codes. The issuance or renewal of a permit under this section shall not be granted until all outstanding parking infractions under the city code are paid in full. The establishment of permit parking shall not conflict with any other restrictions contained in this traffic code. (Ord. 1711-79; Ord. 1909-01 § 1 (part); Ord. 0867-2006 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 0128-2009, § 1, 2-9-2009; Ord. No. 1909-2013, § 1, 9-9-2013; Ord. No. 1189-2018, §§ 2, 3, 5-21-2018)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.23 Supplemental signs.

2105.23 - Supplemental signs. The service director shall establish guidelines for and authorize the installation of information signs and guide signs within the public right-of-way when such signs are not contained in the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. (Ord. 1291-83.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.24 Notice of fee changes.

2105.24 - Notice of fee changes. The service director shall notify council, in writing, of any changes in fees, rates and/or charges which are to be implemented pursuant to this chapter and/or Chapter 2155, Columbus City Codes. The notice shall be made not less than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the effective date of the change. (Ord. 121-87.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.25 No engine braking zones.

2105.25 - No engine braking zones. The service director shall establish no engine braking zones of such kind and character and at such locations as the service director may deem necessary for the protection of the public. (Ord. 1550-04 § 1; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.26 No student drop-off or pick-up zones.

2105.26 - No student drop-off or pick-up zones. When the Public Service Director determines that a location is not safe to allow a motorist to discharge or load a student, regulations restricting this activity may be established. The regulations will establish No Student Drop-off or Pick-up Zones of such kind and character and at such locations as may be deemed necessary for the protection of the public. No prosecution shall commence for violation of a regulation issued under this section unless adequate notice has been given to the public by means of signs or signals. (Ord. 1623-2007 § 1.)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.27 Car-sharing.

2105.27 - Car-sharing. The director of public service is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of car-sharing organizations within the City of Columbus, including car-sharing parking at public parking meters and within permit parking districts. Such rules and regulations shall establish procedures for the recovery of parking meter charges and permit fees, and shall be promulgated according to Section 2105.03. (Ord. No. 2029-2014, § 2, 9-29-2014; Ord. No. 1189-2018, §§ 2, 3, 5-21-2018)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.28 Shared Mobility Devices

2105.28 - Shared Mobility Devices The director of the department of public service is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of shared mobility devices within the City of Columbus, including, but not limited to, e-scooters, e-bicycles and bicycles, as well as shared mobility device vendors. Such rules and regulations shall establish procedures for the operation of shared mobility devices, shared mobility device vendors and permit fees, and shall be promulgated according to Section 2105.03. (Ord. No. 2053-2023, § 1, 7-31-2023)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.095 Turns against red signal.

2105.095 - Turns against red signal. Right turns against a steady red signal indication at intersections are prohibited, provided a sign giving notice thereof is posted adjacent to the intersection. Left turns against a steady red signal indication on a one-way street that intersects another one-way street on which traffic moves to the left are prohibited, provided a sign giving notice thereof is posted adjacent to the intersection. The service director shall designate and place signs prohibiting turns against a red signal at all intersections where it is necessary to expedite travel or promote public safety. Enforcement of violations of this section shall be pursuant to Chapter 2113, or such other sections of the Traffic Code that are enacted to enforce obedience to traffic control devices. (Ord. 586-82; Ord. No. 1182-2014, § 2, 6-16-2014)

Columbus City Codes § 2105.125 Sidewalks and bikeways.

2105.125 - Sidewalks and bikeways. The Director of Public Service is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for the approval of site plans and capital improvement projects in order to provide for sidewalks and bikeways to increase pedestrian, bicycle and mobility device safety, accessibility and the efficiency of pedestrian, bicycle and other mobility device travel. Standards for such sidewalks and bikeways shall be at the discretion of the Director of Public Service. (Ord. 1276-99 § 1; Ord. 1987-2008 Attach. 1 (part); Ord. No. 2539-2018, § 2, 9-24-2018)

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=TIT21TRCO_CH2105SEDIPODUFetched: 10/27/2026