Ordinances, Codification, and Local Law

What Ordinances Do #

Ordinances are the laws of the village. They regulate conduct, establish penalties, create programs, authorize expenditures, and set municipal policy.

Common village ordinances include zoning, nuisance abatement, animal control, traffic regulations, utility rates, building permits, noise restrictions, and weed and litter control ORC 731.51-731.54.

Villages can adopt criminal ordinances for misdemeanors but cannot create felony offenses.

Passing an Ordinance #

1. Draft the ordinance. The village solicitor should review the language before introduction.
2. First reading. Introduce the ordinance at a council meeting. Read by title.
3. Second reading. Read by title at a subsequent meeting.
4. Third reading and vote. Read by title at a subsequent meeting. Council votes.
5. Signature or veto. If passed, the mayor signs. If the mayor vetoes, council may override with a two-thirds vote of all members.
6. Publication. Post on the village website or social media for two weeks ORC 731.21 (as amended), or publish in a newspaper, or post in public places.
7. Effective date. The ordinance takes effect after publication, unless an emergency clause is included.

Suspending the Three-Reading Rule

A three-fourths vote of all council members can suspend the three-reading requirement and pass an ordinance on first reading ORC 731.17.

Codification #

Codification means organizing all village ordinances into a systematic code with chapters, sections, and a consistent numbering scheme.

Common codification services include American Legal Publishing and Municode (formerly General Code). Initial codification typically costs between $5,000 and $20,000 or more, with annual supplement fees for updates.

Many small villages have never been codified. Their ordinances exist as individual documents filed in chronological order. Even without formal codification, the clerk should maintain an organized index of all active ordinances so that any official or resident can locate them.

Ohio law authorizes publication of ordinances in book form ORC 731.23. Villages may also adopt technical codes, such as building or fire codes, by reference rather than reproducing the full text ORC 731.231.

Sample Ordinances #

The Ohio Municipal League publishes sample ordinances for common needs. Available topics include nuisance abatement, weed and litter control, dangerous and vicious animals, junk vehicles, noise, solicitors and peddlers, parking, curfew, property maintenance, and fireworks.