COMMERCIAL AND HEAVY VEHICLES

Columbus City Codes tit. 21, ch. 2139

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 2139.01 Definitions.

2139.01 - Definitions. No vehicle shall be operated upon the public highways, streets, bridges, and culverts within the city, whose dimensions exceed those specified in this section. (a) As used in Chapter 2139: (1) "Axle" means one (1) or more load-carrying wheels mounted in a single transverse vertical plane. (2) "Spacing between axles" means the distance between any two (2) successive such planes. (3) "Maximum axle load" means the gross weight of vehicle and load imposed by any axle upon the road surface. (4) "Maximum wheel load" means the proportionate gross weight of vehicle and load imposed by any wheel upon the road surface. (5) "Automobile transporter" means any vehicle combination designed and used expressly for the transport of assembled motor vehicles. (6) "Stinger-steered automobile transporter" means any automobile transporter configured as a semitrailer combination in which the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit. (7) "Boat transporter" means any vehicle combination, including a straight truck towing a trailer typically using a ball and socket connection, designed and used specifically for the transport of boat hulls and boats, whether the hulls or boats are assembled or partially disassembled to facilitate transportation. (8) "Stinger-steered boat transporter" means a boat transporter configured as a semitrailer combination in which the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit. (9) "Assembled" means, in regard to motor vehicles, capable of being driven. (10) "B-train assembly" means any rigid frame extension that is attached to the rear frame of one (1) semitrailer and provides a fifth wheel connection point for a second semitrailer. (11) "Saddlemount vehicle transporter combination" means any combination of vehicle in which a straight truck or commercial tractor tows one (1) or more straight trucks or commercial tractors, each connected by a saddle to the frame or fifth wheel of the straight truck or commercial tractor in front of it. Such a combination may include a fullmount, in which a smaller vehicle is mounted completely on the frame of either the first or last straight truck or commercial tractor in the saddlemount combination. (12) "Articulated passenger bus type vehicle" means an articulated bus is a transit vehicle with three (3) axles supporting two (2) connected passenger compartments that are connected by a joint that allows the bus to bend when making turns. (b) "Vehicle" as used in Chapter 2139, means any single vehicle when not in combination, or any combination of vehicles as defined in Section 4501.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (ORC 5577.01) (ORC 5577.01; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 1883-2008, § 1, 2-9-2009; Ord. No. 0667-2009, § 1, 5-18-2009)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.02 Operation of vehicle on highways in excess of prescribed weights forbidden.

2139.02 - Operation of vehicle on highways in excess of prescribed weights forbidden. (a) No trackless trolley, traction engine, steam roller, or other vehicle, load, object, or structure, whether propelled by muscular or motor power, not including vehicles run upon stationary rails or tracks, fire engines, fire trucks, or other vehicles or apparatus belonging to or used by any municipal or volunteer fire department in the discharge of its functions, shall be operated or moved over or upon the improved public streets, highways, bridges or culverts in this city, upon wheels, rollers, or otherwise, weighing in excess of the weights prescribed in Sections 2139.03 to 2139.11, inclusive, including the weight of vehicle, object, structure, or contrivance and load, except under special permission, granted as provided by Section 4513.34 of the Ohio Revised Code. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (a) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 5577.02; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.03 Weight of load; width of tire.

2139.03 - Weight of load; width of tire. (A) No person, firm, or corporation shall transport over the improved public streets, alleys, intercounty highways, state highways, bridges, or culverts, in any vehicle propelled by muscular, motor, or other power, any burden, including weight of vehicle and load, greater than the following: (1) (a) In vehicles having metal tires three (3) inches or less in width, a load of five hundred (500) pounds for each inch of the total width of tire on all wheels; (b) When the tires on such vehicles exceed three (3) inches in width, an additional load of eight hundred (800) pounds shall be permitted for each inch by which the total width of the tires on all wheels exceeds twelve (12) inches. (2) In vehicles having tires of rubber or other similar substances, for each inch of the total width of tires on all wheels, as follows: (a) For tires three (3) inches in width, a load of four hundred fifty (450) pounds; (b) For tires three and one half (3 ½) inches in width, a load of four hundred fifty (450) pounds; (c) For tires four (4) inches in width, a load of five hundred (500) pounds; (d) For tires five (5) inches in width, a load of six hundred (600) pounds; (e) For tires six (6) inches and over in width, a load of six hundred fifty (650) pounds. The total width of tires on all wheels shall be, in case of solid tires of rubber or other similar substance, the actual width in inches of all such tires between the flanges at the base of the tires, but in no event shall that portion of the tire coming in contact with the road surface be less than two-thirds (⅔) the width so measured between the flanges. In the case of pneumatic tires, of rubber or other similar substance, the total width of tires on all wheels shall be the actual width of all such tires, measured at the widest portion thereof when inflated and not bearing a load. In no event shall the load, including the proportionate weight of vehicle that can be concentrated on any wheel, exceed six hundred fifty (650) pounds to each inch in width of the tread as defined in this section for solid tires, or each inch in the actual diameter of pneumatic tires measured when inflated and not bearing a load. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (a) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 5577.03) (Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.04 Vehicles with pneumatic tires—Load limits.

2139.04 - Vehicles with pneumatic tires—Load limits. (a) The maximum wheel load of any one (1) wheel of any vehicle, load, object, or structure operated or moved upon improved public highways, streets, bridges or culverts shall not exceed six hundred fifty (650) pounds per inch width of pneumatic tire, measured as prescribed by Section 2139.03. (b) The weight of vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface that is part of the interstate system by vehicles with pneumatic tires shall not exceed any of the following weight limitations: (1) On any one (1) axle, twenty thousand (20,000) pounds; (2) On any tandem axle, thirty-four thousand (34,000) pounds; (3) On any two (2) or more consecutive axles, the maximum weight as determined by application of the formula provided in division (c) of this section. (c) For purposes of division (b)(3) of this section, the maximum gross weight on any two (2) or more consecutive axles shall be determined by application of the following formula: W = 500 ((LN/N-1) + 12N + 36). In this formula, W equals the overall gross weight on any group of two (2) or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred (500) pounds, L equals the distance in rounded whole feet between the extreme of any group of two (2) or more consecutive axles, and N equals the number of axles in the group under consideration. However, two (2) consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of thirty-four thousand (34,000) pounds each, provided the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is thirty-six (36) feet or more. (d) Except as provided in division (i) of this section, the weight of vehicle and load imposed upon a road surface that is not part of the interstate system by vehicles with pneumatic tires shall not exceed any of the following weight limitations: (1) On any one (1) axle, twenty thousand (20,000) pounds; (2) On any two (2) successive axles: A. Spaced four (4) feet or less apart, and weighed simultaneously, twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds; B. Spaced more than four (4) feet apart, and weighed simultaneously, thirty-four thousand (34,000) pounds, plus one thousand (1,000) pounds per foot, or fraction thereof, over four (4) feet, not to exceed forty thousand (40,000) pounds. (3) On any three (3) successive load-bearing axles designed to equalize the load between such axles and spaced so that each such axle of the three (3) -axle group is more than four (4) feet from the next axle in the three (3) -axle group and so that the spacing between the first axle and the third axle of the three (3) -axle group is no more than nine (9) feet, and with such loadbearing three (3) -axle group weighed simultaneously as a unit: A. Forty-eight thousand (48,000) pounds, with the total weight of vehicle and load not exceeding thirty-eight thousand (38,000) pounds plus an additional nine hundred (900) pounds for each foot of spacing between the front axle and the rearmost axle of the vehicle; B. As an alternative to division (d)(3)(A) of this section, forty-two thousand five hundred (42,500) pounds, if part of a six (6)-axle vehicle combination, with at least twenty (20) feet of spacing between the front axle and rearmost axle, with the total weight of vehicle and load not exceeding fifty-four thousand (54,000) pounds plus an additional six hundred (600) pounds for each foot of spacing between the front axle and the rearmost axle of the vehicle. (4) The total weight of vehicle and load utilizing any combination of axles, other than as provided for three (3)-axle groups in division (d) of this section, shall not exceed thirty-eight thousand (38,000) pounds plus an additional nine hundred (900) pounds for each foot of spacing between the front axle and rearmost axle of the vehicle. (e) Notwithstanding divisions (b) and (d) of this section, the maximum overall gross weight of vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface shall not exceed eighty thousand (80,000) pounds. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a vehicle is towing another vehicle, such drawbar or other connection shall be of a length such as will limit the spacing between nearest axles of the respective vehicles to a distance not in excess of twelve (12) feet and six (6) inches. (g) As used in division (b) of this section, "tandem axle" means two (2) or more consecutive axles whose centers may be included between parallel transverse vertical planes spaced more than forty (40) inches but no more than ninety-six (96) inches apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle. (h) This section does not apply to passenger bus type vehicles operated by a regional transit authority pursuant to Sections 306.30 to 306.54 of the Ohio Revised Code. (i) Either division (b) or (d) of this section applies to the weight of a vehicle and its load imposed upon any road surface that is not a part of the interstate system by vehicles with pneumatic tires. As between divisions (b) and (d) of this section, only the division that yields the highest total gross vehicle weight limit shall be applied to any such vehicle. Once that division is determined, only the limits contained in the subdivisions of that division shall apply to that vehicle. (j) Whoever violates this provision shall be punished as provided in subdivision(a) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 5577.04) (Ord. 1679-94: Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.05 Maximum width, height and length.

2139.05 - Maximum width, height and length. No vehicle shall be operated upon the public highways, streets, bridges, and culverts within the city, whose dimensions exceed those specified in this section. (a) No such vehicle shall have a width in excess of: (1) One hundred four (104) inches for passenger bus type vehicles operated exclusively within municipal corporations; (2) One hundred two (102) inches, excluding such safety devices as are required by law, for passenger bus type vehicles operated over freeways, and such other State roads with minimum pavement widths of twenty-two (22) feet, except those roads or portions thereof over which operation of one hundred two (102) inch buses is prohibited by order of the Ohio Director of Transportation; (3) One hundred thirty-two (132) inches for traction engines; (4) One hundred two (102) inches for recreational vehicles, excluding safety devices and retracted awnings and other appurtenances of six (6) inches or less in width and except that the Ohio Director of Transportation may prohibit the operation of one hundred two (102) inch recreational vehicles on designated state highways or portions of highways; (5) One hundred two (102) inches, including load, for all other vehicles, except that the Ohio Director of Transportation may prohibit the operation of one hundred two (102) inch vehicles on such state highways or portions thereof as the director designates. (b) No such vehicle shall have a length in excess of: (1) Forty-eight (48) feet for non-articulated passenger bus type vehicles; (2) Sixty-six (66) feet for articulated passenger bus type vehicles; (3) Fifty-three (53) feet for any semitrailer when operated in a commercial tractor-semitrailer combination, with or without load, except that the Ohio Director of Transportation may prohibit the operation of any such commercial tractor-semitrailer combination on such state highways or portions thereof as the director designates; (4) Twenty-eight and one-half (28½) feet for any semitrailer or trailer when operated in a commercial tractor-semitrailer-trailer or commercial tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination, except that the Ohio Director of Transportation may prohibit the operation of any such commercial tractor-semitrailer-trailer or commercial tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination on such state highways or portions thereof as the director designates; (5) Seventy-five (75) feet for drive-away saddlemount vehicle transporter combinations and drive-away saddlemount with fullmount vehicle transporter combinations, not to exceed three (3) saddlemounted vehicles, but which may include one (1) fullmount; (6) Sixty-five (65) feet for any other combination of vehicles coupled together, with or without load, except as provided in divisions (b)(3) and (4), and in division (d) of this section; (7) Forty-five (45) feet for recreational vehicles; (8) Forty (40) feet for all other vehicles except trailers and semitrailers, with or without load. (c) No such vehicle shall have a height in excess of thirteen (13) feet six (6) inches, with or without load. (d) Any automobile transporter or boat transporter shall be allowed a length of sixty-five (65) feet and any stinger-steered automobile transporter or stinger-steered boat transporter shall be allowed a length of seventy-five (75) feet, except that the load thereon may extend no more than four (4) feet beyond the rear of such vehicles and may extend no more than three (3) feet beyond the front of such vehicles, and except further that the Ohio Director of Transportation may prohibit the operation of any stinger-steered automobile transporter, stinger-steered boat transporter, or a b-train assembly on any state highway or portion thereof that the director designates. The width prescribed in division (a)(5) of this section shall not include automatic covering devices used by a vehicle hauling solid waste. The lengths prescribed in divisions (b)(2) to (7) of this section shall not include safety devices, bumpers attached to the front or rear of such bus or combination, b-train assembly used between the first and second semitrailer of a commercial tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination, energy conservation devices as provided in any regulations adopted by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, or any noncargo-carrying refrigeration equipment attached to the front of trailers and semitrailers. In special cases, vehicles whose dimensions exceed those prescribed by this section may operate in accordance with rules promulgated by the Ohio Director of Transportation. (e) This section does not apply to fire engines, fire trucks or other vehicles or apparatus belonging to any municipal corporation or to the volunteer fire department of any municipal corporation or used by such department in the discharge of its functions. This section does not apply to vehicles and pole trailers used in the transportation of wooden and metal poles, nor to the transportation of pipes or well-drilling equipment, nor to farm machinery and equipment. The owner or operator of any vehicle, machinery, or equipment not specifically enumerated in this section but the dimensions of which exceed the dimensions provided by this section, when operating the same on the highways and streets of this state, shall comply with the rules of the Ohio Director of Transportation governing such movement, which rules the Director may adopt. This section does not require the state, a municipal corporation, county, township or any railroad or other private corporation to provide sufficient vertical clearance to permit the operation of such vehicle, or to make any changes in or about existing structures now crossing streets, roads, and other public thoroughfares in this city. (f) As used in this section, "recreational vehicle" has the same meaning as in Section 4501.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (ORC 5577.05; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part); Ord. No. 1883-2008, § 2, 2-9-2009; Ord. No. 0667-2009, § 2, 5-18-2009)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.07 Reduction of weight and speed during times of thaws and moisture.

2139.07 - Reduction of weight and speed during times of thaws and moisture. (a) When thaws or excessive moisture render the streets or highways of this City or any sections of them insufficient to bear the traffic thereon, or when such streets or highways would be damaged or destroyed by heavy traffic during the period of thawing or excessive moisture, the maximum weight of vehicle and load, or the maximum speed, or both, for motor vehicles, as prescribed by law shall be reduced in the following manner: (1) On state highways, in accordance with the provisions of Section 5577.07(A) of the Ohio Revised Code; (2) On City streets, the Director of Public Service shall prescribe such reduction which shall not be more than twenty-five (25) percent; The Director, at least one (1) day before such reduction becomes effective, shall cause to be placed and retained on such City streets, at both ends and at the points of intersections by principal roads, during the period of such reduced limitation of weight, speed, or both, signs, of substantial construction, which will conspicuously indicate the limitations of weight and speed, which are allowed on the streets and the date on which such limitations shall go into effect. (b) No person shall operate upon any such street or highway, a motor vehicle whose maximum weight or speed is in excess of the limitations prescribed. The expense of the purchase and erection of signs, provided for in this section, shall be paid from funds for the maintenance and repair of roads. (c) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 5577.07; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.10 Statement of gross vehicle weight.

2139.10 - Statement of gross vehicle weight. (a) No person shall issue or aid in issuing any bill of lading or other document of like nature in lieu thereof, which bill or document is to accompany a shipment of goods or property by truck, trailer, semitrailer, commercial tractor or any other commercial vehicle used for the transportation of property, the gross weight of which, with load, exceeds three (3) tons, with intent to defraud by misrepresenting thereon the weight of such goods or property to be so transported. Any driver or operator of a commercial car, trailer, or semitrailer may obtain from any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association, including the owner, lessee, or operator of such commercial car, trailer, or semitrailer, owning and operating sealed scales in this State, a written "statement of gross vehicle weight" showing the gross weight of the vehicle including the cargo on the vehicle, the name and address of the person issuing the statement, and the date and place where the vehicle and its cargo were weighed. The driver or operator of the commercial car, trailer, or semitrailer shall retain such statement of gross vehicle weight on his person, and any law enforcement officer of this City may request that such driver or operator exhibit it to him. If, upon examining the statement of gross vehicle weight, the law enforcement officer has reason to believe that the information contained therein is correct in every respect, the law enforcement officer shall endorse it with the law enforcement officer's name and the date and place where it was exhibited to him. The law enforcement officer may then permit such driver or operator to proceed without weighing by a law enforcement officer of this City. No person shall willfully issue a written statement of gross vehicle weight and knowingly give any false information in such statement. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (b) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 5577.10; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.11 Wheel protectors.

2139.11 - Wheel protectors. (a) No person shall drive or operate, or cause to be driven or operated, any commercial car, trailer or semitrailer, used for the transportation of goods or property, the gross weight of which, with load, exceeds three (3) tons, upon the public highways, streets, bridges and culverts within this City unless such vehicle is equipped with suitable metal protectors or substantial flexible flaps on the rearmost wheels of such vehicle or combination of vehicles to prevent, as far as practicable, the wheels from throwing dirt, water, or other materials on the windshields of following vehicles. Such protectors or flaps shall have a ground clearance of not more than one-third (⅓) of the distance from the center of the rearmost axle to the center of the flaps under any conditions of loading of the vehicle, and they shall be at least as wide as the tires they are protecting. If the vehicle is so designed and constructed that such requirements are accomplished by means of fenders, body construction, or other means of enclosure, then no such protectors or flaps are required. Rear wheels not covered at the top by fenders, bodies, or other parts of the vehicle shall be covered at the top by protective means extending at least to the center line of the rearmost axle. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (c) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 5577.11; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.011 Director of public service and/or their designee's consent required.

2139.011 - Director of public service and/or their designee's consent required. Pursuant to Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.34, all public service agencies, companies or corporations, persons and individuals, wishing to transport oversize/overweight equipment over streets within the corporation limits of the city, prior to doing so, shall obtain consent from the director of public service and/or their designee. The director of public service shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions for issuing of such permits. All such requests shall be submitted to, reviewed and approved by, along with the appropriate fees paid to the department of public service, before it shall become effective. All such fees shall be deposited by the department of public service with the city treasurer to the credit of the street construction maintenance and repair fund. A record of such written consent shall be kept in the department of public service offices. (Ord. 1658-93; Ord. 1703-00 § 1; Ord. 1909-01 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 0128-2009, § 1, 2-9-2009)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.27 Requirements for extra signal equipment.

2139.27 - Requirements for extra signal equipment. (a) No person shall operate any motor truck, trackless trolley, bus, or commercial tractor upon any city street, alley or highway at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise unless there is carried in such vehicle and trackless trolley, except as provided in division (b) of this section, the following equipment which shall be of the types approved by the Ohio Director of Transportation: (1) At least three (3) flares or three (3) red reflectors or three red electric lanterns, each of which is capable of being seen and distinguished at a distance of five hundred (500) feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night time; (2) At least three (3) red-burning fuses, unless red reflectors or red electric lanterns are carried; (3) At least two (2) red cloth flags, not less than twelve (12) inches square, with standards to support them; (4) The type of red reflectors shall comply with standards and specifications in effect on September 16, 1963 or later established by the interstate commerce commission and must be certified as meeting such standards by underwriter's laboratories. (b) No person shall operate at the time and under the conditions stated in this section any motor vehicle used in transporting flammable liquids in bulk, or in transporting compressed flammable gases, unless there is carried in such vehicle three (3) red electric lanterns or three (3) red reflectors meeting the requirements stated in division (a) of this section. There shall not be carried in any such vehicle any flare, fuse, or signal produced by a flame. (c) This section does not apply to any person who operates any motor vehicle in a work area designated by protection equipment devices that are displayed and used in accordance with the manual adopted by the Ohio Department of Transportation under Section 4511.09 of the Ohio Revised Code. (d) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (c) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 4513.27; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.28 Display of warning devices on disabled vehicles.

2139.28 - Display of warning devices on disabled vehicles. (a) Whenever any motor truck, trackless trolley, bus, commercial tractor, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is disabled upon the traveled portion of any street or highway or the shoulder thereof, or upon any freeway, expressway, thruway and connecting, entering or exiting ramps within the municipality, at any time when lighted lamps are required on vehicles and trackless trolleys, the operator of such vehicle or trackless trolley shall display the following warning devices upon the street or highway during the time the vehicle or trackless trolley is so disabled on the street or highway except as provided in division (b) of this section: (1) A lighted fuses shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of such vehicle or trackless trolley, unless red electric lanterns or red reflectors are displayed. (2) Within the burning period of the fuses and as promptly as possible, three (3) lighted flares or pot torches, or three (3) red reflectors or three (3) red electric lanterns shall be placed on the roadway as follows: (A) One (1) at a distance of forty (40) paces or approximately one hundred (100) feet in advance of the vehicle; (B) One (1) at a distance of forty (40) paces or approximately one hundred (100) feet to the rear of the vehicle or trackless trolley except as provided in this section, each in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle or trackless trolley; (C) One (1) at the traffic side of the vehicle or trackless trolley. (b) Whenever any vehicle used in transporting flammable liquids in bulk, or in transporting compressed flammable gases, is disabled upon a street or highway at any time or place mentioned in division (a) of this section, the driver of such vehicle shall display upon the roadway the following warning devices: (1) One (1) red electric lantern or one (1) red reflector shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of the vehicle; (2) Two (2) other red electric lanterns or two (2) other red reflectors shall be placed to the front and rear of the vehicle in the same manner prescribed for flares in division (a) of this section. (c) When a vehicle of a type specified in division (b) of this section is disabled, the use of flares, fuses or any signal produced by flame as warning signals is prohibited. (d) Whenever any vehicle or trackless trolley of a type referred to in this section is disabled upon the traveled portion of a street or highway or the shoulder thereof, or upon any freeway, expressway, thruway and connecting, entering or exiting ramps within the municipality, at any time when the display of fuses, flares, red reflectors, or electric lanterns is not required, the operator of such vehicle or trackless trolley shall display two (2) red flags upon the roadway in the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle or trackless trolley, one (1) at a distance of forty (40) paces or approximately one hundred (100) feet in advance of the vehicle or trackless trolley, and one at a distance of forty (40) paces or approximately one hundred (100) feet to the rear of the vehicle or trackless trolley, except as provided in this section. (e) The flares, fuses, lanterns, red reflectors, and flags to be displayed as required in this section shall conform with the requirements of Section 4513.27 of the Ohio Revised Code applicable thereto. (f) In the event the vehicle or trackless trolley is disabled near a curve, crest of a hill, or other obstruction of view, the flare, flag, reflector, or lantern in that direction shall be placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case shall it be placed less than forty (40) paces or approximately one hundred (100) feet nor more than one hundred twenty (120) paces or approximately three hundred (300) feet from the disabled vehicle or trackless trolley. (g) This section does not apply to the operator of any vehicle in a work area designated by protection equipment devices that are displayed and used in accordance with the manual adopted by the Ohio Department of Transportation under Section 4511.09 of the Ohio Revised Code. (h) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (c) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 4513.28; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.29 Vehicles transporting explosives.

2139.29 - Vehicles transporting explosives. (a) Any person operating any vehicle transporting explosives upon a street or highway shall at all times comply with the following requirements: (1) Such vehicle shall be marked or placarded on each side and on the rear with the word "EXPLOSIVES" in letters not less than eight (8) inches high, or there shall be displayed on the rear of such vehicle a red flag not less then twenty-four (24) inches square marked with the word "DANGER" in white letters six inches high, or shall be marked or placarded in accordance with Section 177.823 of the United States Department of Transportation Regulations. (2) Said vehicle shall be equipped with not less than two (2) fire extinguishers, filled and ready for immediate use, and placed at convenient points on such vehicle. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 4513.29; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.31 Loads dropping or leaking; removal required; tracking mud.

2139.31 - Loads dropping or leaking; removal required; tracking mud. (a) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any street, highway, or other public place unless the vehicle is so constructed, loaded, or covered as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping there from, except that sand or other substance may be dropped for the purpose of securing traction, or water or other substance may be sprinkled on a roadway in cleaning or maintaining the roadway. (b) No person shall operate on any street or highway any vehicle with any load unless the load and covering thereon is securely fastened so as to prevent such covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the street. (c) No person shall operate any vehicle so as to track mud on the public streets, highways, or alleys. (d) It shall be the duty of the driver of a vehicle who unlawfully drops or deposits mud or permits the load or any portion thereof to be dropped or deposited upon any street, highway, sidewalk or other public place to immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed. (e) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 4513.31; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.32 Towing requirements.

2139.32 - Towing requirements. (a) When one (1) vehicle is towing another vehicle, the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all the weight towed thereby, and the drawbar or other connection shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet from one (1) vehicle to the other, except the connection between any two (2) vehicles transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered. When one (1) vehicle is towing another and the connection consists only of a chain, rope or cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than twelve (12) inches square. In addition to such drawbar or other connection, each trailer and each semitrailer which is not connected to a commercial tractor by means of a fifth wheel shall be coupled with stay chains or cables to the vehicle by which it is being drawn. The chains or cables shall be of sufficient size and strength to prevent the towed vehicle's parting from the drawing vehicle in case the drawbar or other connection should break or become disengaged. In case of a loaded pole trailer, the connecting pole to the drawing vehicle shall be coupled to the drawing vehicle with stay chains or cables of sufficient size and strength to prevent the towed vehicle's parting from the drawing vehicle. Every trailer or semitrailer, except pole and cable trailers and pole and cable dollies operated by a public utility, as defined in Section 5727.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, shall be equipped with a coupling device, which shall be so designed and constructed that the trailer will follow substantially in the path of the vehicle drawing it, without whipping or swerving from side to side. Vehicles used to transport agricultural produce or agricultural production materials between a local place of storage and supply and the farm, when drawn or towed on a street or highway at a speed of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less, shall have a drawbar or other connection, including the hitch mounted on the towing vehicle, which shall be of sufficient strength to pull all the weight towed thereby. Only one (1) such vehicle used to transport agricultural produce or agricultural production materials as provided in this section may be towed or drawn at one (1) time, except as follows: (1) An agricultural tractor may tow or draw more than one (1) such vehicle (2) A pickup truck or straight truck designed by the manufacturer to carry a load of not less than one-half (½) ton and not more than two (2) tons may tow or draw not more than two (2) such vehicles that are being used to transport agricultural produce from the farm to a local place of storage. No vehicle being so towed by such a pickup truck or straight truck shall be considered to be a motor vehicle. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 4513.32; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.34 Oversize or overweight vehicle operation on State routes; State permit.

2139.34 - Oversize or overweight vehicle operation on State routes; State permit. (a) No person shall operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in sections 4513.01 to 4513.37, inclusive, of the Ohio Revised Code, upon any state route within the city, except pursuant to special written permit issued by the Ohio Director of Transportation. Every such permit shall be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any police officer. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 4513.34; Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.35 Route and load information.

2139.35 - Route and load information. (a) Drivers of vehicles described in this chapter shall be required, upon request by a police officer, to give full and true information as to the route they are following and the name of the consignor and consignee and place of delivery or removal and the location of any consignment being hauled or goods being removed, and upon a designation by such police officer of a route to be followed, shall immediately adopt and pursue such route. No person shall operate any through truck in violation of markings, signs, barriers, or other devices placed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2105 except while receiving goods or making deliveries along the street, and then only when entering and leaving such street by the nearest intersecting street not so marked. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.36 Commercial vehicle in unauthorized area.

2139.36 - Commercial vehicle in unauthorized area. (a) No person shall operate a commercial ground transportation vehicle as defined in Section 1713.0111(G) for the purpose of picking up and loading persons, baggage or freight items in an area at Port Columbus International Airport which is not designated as a commercial vehicle area. (b) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.041 Maximum axle load, wheel load and gross weights and towing connection length for solid rubber tires.

2139.041 - Maximum axle load, wheel load and gross weights and towing connection length for solid rubber tires. (a) No vehicle, trackless trolley, load, object, or structure having a maximum axle load greater than sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds when such vehicle is equipped with solid rubber tires shall be operated or moved upon the improved public highways, streets, bridges, or culverts. The maximum wheel load of any one wheel of any such vehicle shall not exceed six hundred fifty (650) pounds per inch width of tire, measured as prescribed by Section 2139.03, nor shall any solid tire of rubber or other resilient material, on any wheel of any such vehicle, be less than one (1) inch thick when measured from the top of the flanges of the tire channel. The weight of vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface by any two (2) successive axles, spaced four (4) feet or less apart, shall not exceed nineteen thousand (19,000) pounds for solid tires; or by any two (2) successive axles spaced more than four (4) feet but less than eight (8) feet apart shall not exceed twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds for solid tires; or by any two (2) successive axles, spaced eight (8) feet or more apart, shall not exceed twenty-eight thousand (28,000) pounds for solid tires; nor shall the total weight of vehicle and load exceed, for solid rubber tires, twenty-eight thousand (28,000) pounds plus an additional six hundred (600) pounds for each foot or fraction thereof of spacing between the front axle and the rearmost axle of the vehicle; nor shall the weight of vehicle and load imposed upon the road surface by any vehicle equipped with solid rubber tires, exceed eighty percent of the permissible weight of vehicle and load as provided for pneumatic tires. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a vehicle is towing another vehicle, such drawbar or other connection shall be of a length such as will limit the spacing between nearest axles of the respective vehicles to a distance not in excess of twelve (12) feet and six (6) inches. If the provisions of this section are held to exceed the weight limitations or other provisions set forth in the "Federal Aid Highway Act of 1958," 72 Stat. 902, 23 U.S.C. 127, this section shall become null and void to the extent of such inconsistency. (b) Whoever violates the weight provision of this section shall be punished as provided in division (a) of Section 2139.99. All other violations of this section shall be punished as provided in division (d) of Section 2139.99. (ORC 5577.041) (Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2139.99 Penalties.

2139.99 - Penalties. (a) Whoever violates the weight provisions of Sections 2139.02, 2139.03, 2139.04 and 2139.041 of the City Code shall be fined eighty ($80.00) dollars for the first two thousand (2,000) pounds, or fraction thereof, of overload; for overloads in excess of two thousand (2,000) pounds, but not in excess of five thousand (5,000) pounds, such person shall be fined one hundred ($100.00) dollars, and in addition thereto one ($1.00) dollar per one hundred (100) pounds of overload; for overloads in excess of five thousand (5,000) pounds, but not in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds, such person shall be fined one hundred thirty ($130.00) dollars and in addition thereto two ($2.00) dollars per one hundred (100) pounds of overload, or imprisoned not more than thirty (30) days, or both. For all overloads in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds such person shall be fined one hundred sixty ($160.00) dollars, and in addition thereto three ($3.00) dollars per one hundred (100) pounds of overload, or imprisoned not more than thirty (30) days, or both. Whoever violates the weight provisions of vehicle and load relating to gross load limits shall be fined not less than one hundred ($100.00) dollars. No penalty prescribed in this division shall be imposed on any vehicle combination if the overload on any axle does not exceed one thousand (1,000) pounds, and if the immediately preceding or following axle, excepting the front axle of the vehicle combination, is underloaded by the same or a greater amount. For purposes of this division, two (2) axles on one (1) vehicle less than eight (8) feet apart shall be considered as one (1) axle. (b) Whoever violates Section 2139.10 of the City Code shall be fined not more than five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, or both. (c) Whoever violates Section 2139.11, 2139.27, or 2139.28 of the City Code shall be fined not more than one hundred ($100.00) dollars. (d) Whoever violates the sections of this chapter that are specifically required to be punished under this division is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense with one (1) year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and shall be fined not less than one hundred ($100.00) dollars nor more than two hundred fifty ($250.00) dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty (30) days, or both; on each subsequent offense within one (1) year after the first offense, the person shall be fined not less than five hundred ($500.00) dollars nor more than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars, or imprisoned not more than sixty (60) days or both. (Ord. 580-93: Ord. 2120-03 § 1(part).)

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_CH2139COHEVEFetched: 10/27/2026