Ohio Admin. Code 5501:2-4-01 - Control and use of rest areas and roadside parks

(A)

(1) The state highway patrol shall have full authority to enforce this rule and all state laws within the rest areas as well as on the highway.

(2) All transportation department facilities employees shall be familiar with this rule, advise violators of the same, and, if necessary, immediately contact the nearest state highway patrolman and request assistance.

(B) No use or drinking of alcoholic beverages of any kind or the possession of open containers of such beverages is permitted The following are prohibited at all rest areas and roadside parks under the jurisdiction of the department:.

(1) The use or drinking of alcoholic beverages of any kind or the possession of open containers of such beverages.

(2) The parking of vehicles on grass.

(3) The moving, removing, destruction, defacing or alteration of any state property.

(4) The presence outside the confinement of personal vehicles of any unleashed household pet.

(5) The littering and disposal of any waste other than travel trash.

(6) The disposal of any travel trash in any area except inside the containers provided for this purpose.

(7) Any fires or grilling outside the designated areas and outside the containers provided for such activity.

(8) The failure to extinguish any fire or flame after use.

(9) Any display, use, or discharge of firearms, pellet guns, B-B guns, other weapons, dangerous ordinances, or explosives as defined in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code or fireworks as defined in section 3743.01 of the Revised Code.

(10) Loitering within or around toilet facilities or other buildings.

(11) The parking of commercial vehicles for interchanging, unloading, or similar activities.

(12) Leaving any vehicle unattended for three hours without the permission of the state highway patrol or the department. Any such vehicle will be towed away at the expense of the owner.

(13) Camping.

(14) All acts of indecent exposure and lewd motions or actions.

(15) The solicitation of voluntary donations including donations to help defray the cost of a free coffee program as permitted by section 5515.07 of the Revised Code.

(16) All advertising of any nature except those contracted under the authority of the department of development for Ohio tourism.

(C) The parking of vehicles on grass is prohibited The only commercial sales allowed at these rest areas and roadside parks shall be from vending machines authorized by the department. Priority shall be given to blind vendors pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Act, 20 U.S. Code section 107.

(D) The moving, removing, destruction, defacing or alteration of any state property is prohibited The state of Ohio, department of transportation and its employees, and the state highway patrol and its officers are not liable for damages or proceedings of any kind caused directly or indirectly as a result of the enforcement of any law of this state or this rule.

(E) All commercial selling or advertising of any nature is prohibited within or through the fence of the roadside rest area, except for telephones or pursuant to a permit issued by the director of transportation. Priority is to be given to Ohio rehabilitation services commission, bureau of services for the visually impaired, for operations of vending.

(F) Anyone, before dispensing free coffee or similar items to motorists, must first obtain written permission from the district deputy director. Solicitation of voluntary donations to help defray expenses of such activities is prohibited within the rest area. Standard signs shall be provided and erected by the department of transportation to advise motorists of these services.

(G) All household pets shall be on a leash at all times within the rest area; all other animals are prohibited, except when confined in a vehicle.

(H) The littering and disposal of garbage or trash is prohibited except in containers provided for this purpose. Disposal of waste other than travel trash by vehicles in transit is prohibited at all times. Disposal of garbage or trash from other sources is prohibited.

(I) Fires are permitted only in designated areas and containers, and must be extinguished after use.

(J) Exhibiting, use, or discharge of firearms, pellet guns, B-B guns or other weapons is prohibited.

(K) Loitering or loafing within or around toilet facilities or other buildings is prohibited.

(L) The parking of commercial vehicles for interchanging, unloading, etc., is prohibited and any vehicle left unattended for three hours, without the permission of the state highway patrol or transportation department permit office, will be towed away at the expense of the owner.

(M) No camping is permitted.

(N) All acts of indecent exposure and lewd motions or actions are strictly prohibited.

(O) The state of Ohio, department of transportation and its employees, or the state highway patrol and its officers are not liable for damages or proceedings of any kind caused directly or indirectly as a result of the enforcement of the law or this rule.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 5501:2-4-01

Effective: 5/15/2023
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 2/28/2023 and 05/05/2028
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5501.02, 5515.07
Rule Amplifies: 5515.07
Prior Effective Dates: 06/22/1965, 12/27/1976, 08/05/1989, 12/06/2012, 03/22/2018