Ohio Administrative Code
Title 5501:2 - Division of Highways
Chapter 5501:2-2 - Erection and Control of Outdoor Advertising
Section 5501:2-2-01 - Definitions

(A) "Abandoned or discontinued advertising device" means any permitted advertising device which has ceased to display advertising copy or needs substantial repairs of more than seventy per cent of its replacement value for more than one year. An advertising device shall be considered to be abandoned or discontinued if neither the sign owner nor the landowner claim any responsibility for the advertising device.

(B) "Advertising copy" means any combination of words, symbols, pictures, display or trade name intended to invite or draw the attention of the public to any goods, merchandise, property, business, services, entertainment, amusement or other commercial activity.

(C) "Advertising device" shall have the same meaning given in section 5516.01 of the Revised Code. All advertising devices shall be affixed to a structure. Such structures and devices may include, but are not limited to, one of the following forms:

(D) "Bonafide comprehensive zoning plan" means a general plan to control and direct the use and development of property in a municipality or in a large part thereof by dividing it into districts according to the present and potential use of the properties.

(E) "Centerline of the highway" means a line equidistant from the edges of the median separating the main-traveled ways of a divided highway or the centerline of the main-traveled way of a non-divided highway.

(F) "Directional signs" means signs containing directional information about public places owned or operated by federal, state, or local governments or their agencies; publicly or privately owned non-profit natural wonders accredited by the Ohio department of natural resources or non-profit historic attractions accredited by the Ohio history connection.

(G) "Entrance roadway" means any public road or turning roadway, including acceleration lanes, by which traffic may enter the main-traveled way of the interstate system as defined by division (C) of section 5516.01 of the Revised Code or system as defined by division (G) of section 5516.01 of the Revised Code from the general road system within a state. This definition applies whether or not traffic may also enter the main-traveled way by such road or turning roadway.

(H) "Exit roadway" means any public road or turning roadway including deceleration lanes, by which traffic may leave the main-traveled way of the interstate system as defined by division (C) of section 5516.01 of the Revised Code or primary system as defined by division (G) of section 5516.01 of the Revised Code to reach the general road system within a state. This definition applies whether or not traffic may also enter the main-traveled way by such road or turning roadway.

(I) "Freeway" means a divided multi-lane highway for through traffic with all crossroads separated in grade and with full control of access.

(J) "Illegal sign" means an advertising device with advertising copy which was erected or is maintained in violation of federal, state, or local law or ordinance.

(K) "Immediately adjacent" means directly touching or bordering one another no farther apart at their nearest point than fifteen feet.

(L) "Interchange" means both a junction of two or more highways by a system of separate levels that permit traffic to pass from one to another without the crossing of traffic streams, and a system of interconnecting roadways in conjunction with one or more grade separations that provides for the movement of traffic between two or more roadways or highways on different levels.

(M) "Lease" means an agreement by which possession or use of land or interests therein is given for a specified purpose, which is a valid contract under the laws of the state, and which grants an interest in the real estate for a specific time period.

(N) "Main-traveled way" means the traveled way of a highway on which through traffic is carried.

(O) "Multiple message sign face" means an advertising device whose whole sign face changes by rotating vertical slats or other electronic process or remote control.

(P) "Normal maintenance (nonconforming devices)" means that which is customary to keep a sign in ordinary repair and upkeep. Repairs will be allowed for acts of God, vandalism, or other criminal or tortious acts.

(Q) "Official sign" means an outdoor sign erected and maintained by public officers or public agencies within their territory or jurisdiction and pursuant to and in accordance with direction or authorization contained in federal, state or local law for the purpose of carrying out an official duty or responsibility.

(R) "Parkland" means any publicly owned land which is designated or used as a public park, recreation area, wildlife or waterfowl refuge, memorial, or historic site.

(S) "Proposed interchange" means an interchange or access point contained in the department's final alignment.

(T) "Re-erect" means the placing of any advertising device in such a position as to make its advertising copy visible subsequent to its initial erection and removal.

(U) "Remove" means the complete disassembly and removal of an advertising device including all component parts, so that its sign face is no longer visible, except if removal would result in substantial structural damage to a building. All electrical service shall be disconnected, if any, and there shall be a complete removal of wires, conduit and supporting structures including the removal from the property of all disassembled elements of the advertising device.

(V) "Safety rest area" means an area or site established and maintained within or adjacent to the right-of-way by or under public supervision or control, for the convenience of the traveling public.

(W) "Scenic area" means any public park or area of particular scenic beauty or historical significance designated by the director of transportation or other public authority.

(X) "Traveled way" means the portion of a roadway for the movement of vehicles including ramps and turning roadways but exclusive of shoulders.

(Y) "Turning roadway" means a connecting roadway for traffic turning between two intersecting legs of an interchange.

(Z) "Variable message sign face" means one whose message is partially changed by electronic process or remote control, including, but not limited to, rotating cubes, rotating vertical triangular slats, messages changed by turning lights on and off, remote numeric displays, scrolling messages, glow cubes, light emitting diodes, cathode ray tubes and florescent discharge or other similar technology approved by the director. Furthermore, digit(s) changed infrequently is/are not to be considered moving, flashing, or intermittent lights or moving parts and will be deemed a change of copy only.

(AA) "Business District" means an area fronting upon a street or highway on the nonfreeway portion of the federal aid primary or national highway systems, including the street or highway, between successive signalized intersections within incorporated municipalities where fifty per cent or more of the frontage between successive intersections for a distance of three hundred feet in both directions is occupied by buildings in use for business.

(BB) "Sign Face" means a part of the advertising device that contains or displays visible advertising copy. It is distinguished from other parts of the device, including another sign face, light fixtures, the apron, or catwalk unless those components display a part of the visible advertising content of the sign.