Section 3729.13 | Expiration of campsite use agreement.
(A) A campsite user who enters into a campsite use agreement with a camp operator for the use of a campsite at a recreational vehicle park, recreation camp, combined park-camp, or temporary park-camp, at the expiration of the campsite use period under the agreement, shall remove from the campsite all of the campsite user's property and all property any other person placed on the campsite with the permission of the campsite user. If the campsite user fails to remove all of that property from the campsite within the five-consecutive-day period after the expiration of that campsite use period, all of the following apply:
(1) The camp operator shall perform an inventory of the property that the campsite user did not remove from the campsite.
(2) The camp operator may send a letter to the campsite user informing the campsite user that the campsite user has abandoned the property on the campsite in violation of the campsite use agreement and that the camp operator will commence an action for the seizure of the property if the campsite user does not remove the property from the campsite within ten days after the date on which the letter is mailed.
(3) If the campsite user does not remove the property from the campsite within ten days after the date on which the letter described in division (A)(2) of this section is mailed, the camp operator may file an action for the seizure of the property that remains on the campsite in the municipal court or county court that has territorial jurisdiction over the park or camp. The complaint shall contain all of the following:
(a) The name, address, and phone number of the campsite user that is in the campsite use agreement;
(b) A description of the property that the campsite user has not removed from the campsite;
(c) A demand that all of the property listed in the complaint be removed from the campsite within seven days after service of the complaint upon the campsite user;
(d) A description of the procedure that will be followed if the campsite user does not remove the listed property within the seven-day period;
(e) A statement that the campsite user shall pay to the clerk of the court the amount of the filing fees charged for the filing of the complaint, that the campsite user shall pay those fees prior to the campsite user's removal of the listed property from the campsite, and that if the campsite user fails to pay the amount of the filing fees the property may be sold to pay the filing fees.
(4) When the camp operator files an action under division (A)(3) of this section, the clerk of the court shall issue a summons and a copy of the complaint pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure to the campsite user at the address provided in the campsite use agreement.
(5) If the campsite user does not file an answer to the complaint filed under division (A)(3) of this section and remove all of the property listed in the complaint within seven days after service of the complaint upon the campsite user, the court shall do either of the following:
(a) Issue an order authorizing the sheriff, another peace officer, or a bailiff to remove the property from the campsite and place it in storage;
(b) Authorize the camp operator to seize the property and cause the issuance to the camp operator of a new certificate of title for the property if the property is a titled vehicle.
(6) Upon the removal and storage of the property, the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall conduct or cause to be conducted a search of the appropriate public records that relate to the property and shall make or cause to be made reasonably diligent inquiries for the purpose of identifying persons who have any right, title, or interest in any of the property. Then, the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator may commence proceedings for the sale of the property. The sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall send by certified mail, return receipt requested, a written notice of the date, time, and place of the sale to each person who, because of the conduct of the search, the making of inquiries, or otherwise, the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator believes has any right, title, or interest in the property. The sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall send the notice to the last known address of each of those persons.
(7) If the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator sells the property, the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall dispose of the proceeds of the sale in the following order:
(a) The sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall first pay the costs for any moving or any storage of the property, the costs of the sale, and any unpaid court costs assessed against the campsite user in the underlying action.
(b) Following the payment required by division (A)(7)(a) of this section, the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall pay all other outstanding security interests, liens, or encumbrances on the property by priority of filing or other priority.
(c) After complying with divisions (A)(7)(a) and (b) of this section, the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall transfer any remaining money to the owner of the property.
(8) If the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator does not conduct a sale of the property, the sheriff, peace officer, bailiff, or camp operator shall dispose of the property in the following manner:
(a) If the property is a motor vehicle or recreational vehicle, in accordance with the procedure in section 4513.61 or 4513.63 of the Revised Code;
(b) If the property is personal property, in accordance with the procedure in sections 2981.11 and 2981.12 of the Revised Code.
(B) Upon collection from the campsite user, the municipal court or county court shall reimburse the filing fees to the camp operator.
Available Versions of this Section
- July 1, 2007 – House Bill 241 - 126th General Assembly [ View July 1, 2007 Version ]