Parks and watercraft rules are in addition to and supplement the state traffic laws which are in force and which are incorporated herein and made a part hereof.
Last updated May 6, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Chapter 1501:46-13 | Motor Vehicles, Horses, and Planes
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Rule 1501:46-13-02 | Motor vehicle speed limits.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon roadways under supervision of the division within any area administered by the division at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour, or at a speed in excess as marked with a traffic control device on the roadways by the division. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-03 | Parking.
(A) No person shall leave any motor vehicle in any place not designated for stopping or parking of motor vehicles, in any place marked with a traffic control device as a "No Parking" zone, alongside any other motor vehicle stopped or standing at the edge or curb of any roadway, or in a manner which will obstruct any barrier, gate, or pedestrian walkway. (B) No person shall leave any motor vehicle in any place marked with a traffic control device as "Car with Trailer Only" unless the vehicle has a trailer attached. (C) Parking any vehicle in any designated parking lot or parking area for a period of time in excess of twenty-four hours without obtaining prior written permission of the chief of the division or his authorized agent is prohibited, except that registered campers, cabin or lodge patrons may park vehicles in designated parking areas for the period of time covered by such camping or rental registration. (D) A motor vehicle which is found parked in a campground area and is not registered to a camp site with a valid and current camping permit or visitor's permit plainly displayed on the motor vehicle shall be considered unlawfully parked. (E) The chief may establish areas of authorized or restricted parking or stopping within any area administered by the division by marking such zone with a traffic control device. (F) A summons in appropriate form may be attached to an unattended vehicle found in violation of any of the provisions of these rules and regulations by any commissioned officer in lieu of arrest of the operator of such vehicle. If any vehicle found by such officer to be in violation of the provisions of these rules and regulations is unattended at the time the violation is discovered and the identity of the operator is not otherwise apparent, the person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for such violation. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-04 | Removal of vehicles.
Whenever any natural resources officer finds any vehicle stopped, parked or standing in an area prohibited by rule 1501:46-13-03 of the Administrative Code or unattended upon or within the right of way of any road or where such vehicle clearly obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic, such officer may arrange for the removal of such vehicle to the nearest parking lot or to a place for holding such vehicles. Costs and risks of such removal shall be borne by the operator of such vehicle. Any vehicle which may be hazardous to property or people may be removed at the operator's risk and expense. If the operator of an unattended vehicle situated in a manner described in this rule cannot be determined, the owner of such vehicle may be liable for the costs and risks of removal. Last updated November 1, 2022 at 8:55 AM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-05 | Motor vehicles, bicycles, and personal mobility devices.
(A) Except as authorized in writing by the area manager, it is unlawful to: (1) Operate any motor vehicle, bicycle, motorized bicycle, or electric bicycle within any area administered by the division except on such roads, driveways, and other such thoroughfares which are designated or posted for such purposes, (2) Drive around any barrier or gate which is across a road, driveway, trail, or other thoroughfare. (3) Drive upon any barricaded or closed road, driveway, trail or other thoroughfare. (4) Operate any motor vehicle other than a bicycle, class 1 electric bicycle, class 2 electric bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or motorized mobility assistance scooter on any multi-use trail, paved path, or shared-use path. Electric bicycles and other motorized devices may not be permitted on trails or paths where such restrictions are posted. (B) An individual who has a temporary or permanent medical condition, impairment, or disability that results in a non-ambulatory condition or other functional limitation restricting their ability to walk, operate a bicycle, or otherwise utilize paved paths or multi-use trails may use a motorized wheelchair, electric personal assistive mobility device, or motorized mobility assistance scooter. (C) For the purposes of this rule; (1) The term "motorized mobility assistance scooter" means a low-speed micromobility device with the following specifications: (a) Is designed to carry a single person, (b) Has a seat for the operator, (c) Is manufactured with a fixed deck or foot plate, (d) Travels on two wheels arranged in tandem or three wheels arranged with one front wheel and paired rear wheels, (e) Is propelled by an electric motor, (f) Weighs less than one hundred pounds, and (g) Has an attainable speed on a paved level surface of not more than twenty miles per hour. (2) The term "electric personal assistive mobility device" has the same meaning as provided in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code. (3) The following terms have the same meanings as provided by the definitions in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code: (a) "Motor vehicle" (b) "Bicycle" (c) "Motorized bicycle" (d) "Electric bicycle" (e) "Class 1 electric bicycle" (f) "Class 2 electric bicycle" (g) "Motorized wheelchair" (h) "Low-speed micromobility device" (i) "Shared-use path" (4) "Paved path" means any path that has compacted crushed stone or another form of solid or semipermeable surface materials specifically intended to accommodate bicycles. This rule does not prevent the use of a motorized wheelchair, electric personal assistive mobility device, or motorized mobility assistance scooter by a person who is non-ambulatory in any area open to the public except at golf courses where the area manager may limit or exclude their use for safety purposes or to prevent damage to sensitive turf areas. Last updated October 10, 2024 at 3:34 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-06 | Right of way to pedestrians.
The operator of a motor vehicle, bicycle, or horse shall grant the right-of-way to all pedestrians crossing streets, lanes, or highways within any area administered by the division. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-07 | Through trucks prohibited.
Through trucks may not be operated on park roads within any area administered by the division. For the purpose of this rule, a "through truck" shall mean any truck having established points of departure and destination neither of which are within the said area. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-08 | Noisy or smoking vehicles.
No person shall operate any motor vehicle, in any area administered by the division, which is producing an unusual amount of noise or smoke or in such a way as to create unnecessary noise or smoke from the motor vehicle. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-09 | Motor vehicles restricted in camping area.
No person shall operate any motor vehicle within any division camping area or controlled access cabin area except for necessary, direct transportation to or from his campsite or cabin or to and from a campsite or cabin for which he has been granted a visitor pass. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-10 | Saddle animals, use limitations.
(A) No person shall ride, usher, lead, or keep a saddle horse or other animal used as a means of transport in any area administered by the division except on roads, streets or driveways and such trails, paths, or areas so designated or so marked as bridle trails, nor shall any person ride, usher or lead such animal around any barrier or gate which is across a road, street, driveway or bridle trail, nor shall such person ride, usher or lead such animal upon such barricaded or closed thoroughfare. (B) No person shall drive or lead an individual or team of horses or other animals pulling a cart, wagon, sled or other contrivance to achieve transportation by conveyance upon any trail or path except in areas specifically designated for such use by the chief of the division. (C) No horse or other animal shall be hitched to any tree, shrub, or structure in any manner that might cause damage thereto. (D) No person shall ride or lead a saddle animal, or drive an individual or team of animals pulling a cart, wagon, sled or other contrivance at speeds greater than those designated or in a careless, negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger the life, property or persons of others and no person shall allow his saddle animal to stand unattended or insecurely tied on the lands or waters administered by the division. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-11 | Aviation.
(A) Upon or withing the boundaries of any lands administered by the division it is permissible to utilize any land class aircraft operated by an onboard pilot, including but not limited to any single or multi-engine airplane, helicopter or gyroplane, wing-in-ground craft, balloon or lighter than air ship, glider, powered lift aircraft, ultralight or powered parachute, or any other flying machine or aerial apparatus, to take off, ascend, land, alight, or otherwise come to rest where designated airfields or maintained landing zones are located. (B) Upon any waters administered by the division it is permissible to take off, ascend, land, alight, or otherwise come to rest, utilizing a sea class aircraft operated by an onboard pilot, including but not limited to, any sea plane or float plane, amphibious helicopter, wing-in-ground craft, glider, parachute, or any other amphibious flying machine or aerial apparatus, on any body of water meeting all of the following criteria: (1) Designated as unlimited horsepower; (2) Having no speed or wake restrictions that apply to the waterway as a whole, and; (3) Having an established sea plane landing zone designated by the Ohio department of transportation, office of aviation or the federal aviation administration (FAA). Sea class aircraft are not permitted to operate in any water area where motorized vessels are not permitted or in any water area designated for motorized vessels powered only by electric motors. Any person landing or taking off from the waters of the division as permitted by this rule may use the waters of the division as necessary to taxi between such landing area and a service or docking area. It is the responsibility of any pilot endeavoring to take off, ascend, land or alight upon the waters administered by the division to be fully aware of and comply with the boundaries of the approved landing zone and comply with inland navigation rules as prescribed in 33 CFR, subchapter E, part 83, rules 4 through 19, including taking actions to keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding the navigation of any watercraft. (C) It is not permissible for any person to operate or permit the operation of any unmanned aerial craft within the boundaries of any state park except with permission from the chief or the chief's authorized agent, or where airfields or landing zones maintained specifically for such craft are located. For the purposes of this rule, "unmanned aerial craft" includes but is not limited to, any drone, model aircraft, unmanned aircraft system, or other flying machine capable of achieving flight without carrying a human pilot or operator while in flight, and possesses any of the following attributes: (1) Is mechanically powered by an electric or combustion motor, (2) Achieves flight through the employment of a non-mechanical propulsion system utilizing petroleum-based fuel, chemical fuel, composite fuel, open combustion, or any combination thereof, (3) Is controlled by an operator by means of a radio control unit or other wireless device, or (4) Is designed to be capable of achieving or sustaining flight at an altitude of one hundred feet or more for a period of time exceeding one minute. "Unmanned aerial craft" does not include toys or novelties that are propelled through human muscular effort, mechanisms powered by the kinetic energy of elastic bands or springs, or that are launched with a human-generated surge of air or water pressure. Except with permission from the chief or the chief's authorized agent, it is not permissible for any person to utilize unmanned aerial craft to engage in photographing, filming, or otherwise recording public activities, historical or cultural features, natural formations, division owned or operated facilities, or any other aspects of the lands and waters under the management authority of the division. It is mandatory for any person operating or allowing the operation of an unmanned aerial craft to comply with all federal aviation administration regulations currently in effect including such rules restricting operations over people and operations over moving vehicles. In accordance with the federal rules, it is not permissible for the operation of an unmanned aerial craft over any open-air assemblies of human beings, beaches, boats, or roadways in any area administered by the division. The use of any unmanned aerial craft for the purpose of harassing wildlife within the boundaries of any lands or waters of the division is restricted to only such persons that have obtained an official nuisance animal control permit and permission from the chief or the chief's authorized agent to conduct such activities. It is unlawful for any person to utilize or allow the utilization of any unmanned aerial craft for the purpose of harassing persons on any lands or waters of the division. (D) It is unlawful for any person to voluntarily or negligently operate any land class, sea class, unmanned aerial craft or other aerial apparatus as described in this rule, within or upon the lands or waters administered by the division in violation of the provisions of this rule. Last updated October 10, 2024 at 3:34 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-12 | Motor vehicle operation while loading or unloading watercraft.
While actually engaged in loading or unloading a watercraft from a trailer attached to a motor vehicle upon a boat ramp of a lake or river administered by the division, no person except the operator of such motor vehicle shall occupy any space within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle involved in the loading or unloading. Last updated February 25, 2022 at 2:51 PM Supplemental Information |
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Rule 1501:46-13-13 | Riding in boat and boat trailer prohibited on park roads.
It is unlawful for any person to occupy or permit any other person to occupy any recreational vessel or trailer intended for transporting a recreational vessel while it is being used as a conveyance on any land area within a state park including any campground, division road, highway or parking lot except during the actual launching or loading of a recreational vessel. Last updated September 16, 2024 at 12:31 PM Supplemental Information |