Ohio § 1547.61

§ 1547.61.

This chapter and other applicable laws of this state govern the operation, equipment,

registration, numbering, and all other matters relating thereto whenever any vessel

is operated on the waters in this state, whether the waters are under the jurisdiction

and control of a state department, conservancy district, or political subdivision,

or when any activity regulated by this chapter takes place thereon;  but nothing in

this chapter prevents the adoption of any rule or ordinance relating to operation

and equipment of vessels the provisions of which are identical to the provisions of

this chapter or rules;  provided, that such rules or ordinances shall be operative

only so long as and to the extent that they continue to be identical to the provisions

of this chapter or rules.  Conservancy districts and political subdivisions may adopt ordinances or rules limiting

the horsepower of inboard or outboard motors, the maximum and minimum size and type

of vessels, and the speed at which vessels may be operated, except that, upon impounded

bodies of water covering three thousand five hundred acres of land or more, no conservancy

district or political subdivision shall prohibit the use of motors of one hundred

twenty horsepower or less when used in conjunction with properly proportioned boats

in a reasonable area to be designed for the use of those motors and boats and for

water skiing;  and provided that upon Tappan Lake no conservancy district or political

subdivision shall prohibit the use of motors of sixty-five horsepower or less when

used in conjunction with properly proportioned boats in a reasonable area to be designated

for the use of those motors and boats and for water skiing. Any state department, conservancy district, or political subdivision may, at any time,

but only after public notice published in a newspaper of local circulation, make formal

application to the chief of the division of parks and watercraft for special rules

with reference to the operation of vessels on any waters within its territorial limits

and shall set forth therein the reasons which make such special rules necessary or

appropriate. The division of parks and watercraft may make special rules governing the operation

of vessels on any waters within the territorial limits of any political subdivision. No political subdivision or conservancy district shall charge any license fee or other

charge against the owner of any vessel for the right or privilege of operating the

vessel upon the waters of any such political subdivision or conservancy district,

and no license or number in addition to those provided for under this chapter shall

be required by any state department, conservancy district, or political subdivision.