CHAPTER 557 Watercraft — Chapter Overview

CHAPTER 557 Watercraft

Skip to main content
Search
Sitemap
Login
Select Language
Resources
Skip to code content (skip section selection)
2025-04 (current)
Sheffield Lake Overview
Codified Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SHEFFIELD LAKE, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
ROSTER OF OFFICIALS
ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 116-84
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES OF SHEFFIELD LAKE
CHARTER
PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PART THREE - TRAFFIC CODE
PART FIVE - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
CHAPTER 501 General Provisions and Penalty
CHAPTER 505 Animals and Fowl
CHAPTER 509 Disorderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
CHAPTER 513 Drug Abuse Control
CHAPTER 517 Gambling
CHAPTER 521 Health, Safety and Sanitation
CHAPTER 525 Law Enforcement and Public Office
CHAPTER 529 Liquor Control
CHAPTER 531 Noise Control
CHAPTER 533 Obscenity and Sex Offenses
CHAPTER 537 Offenses Against Persons
CHAPTER 541 Property Offenses
CHAPTER 545 Theft and Fraud
CHAPTER 549 Weapons and Explosives
CHAPTER 553 Railroads
CHAPTER 557 Watercraft
557.01 DEFINITIONS.
557.02 FLASHING LIGHTS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
557.03 SIREN PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
557.04 REGULATIONS FOR OPERATION AND RENTAL OF POWERCRAFT OF MORE THAN TEN HORSEPOWER.
557.05 RESTRICTIONS ON CHILD OPERATORS; DUTY OF SUPERVISORY ADULT.
557.06 RECKLESS OPERATION.
557.07 UNSAFE CONDITIONS.
557.08 MARKING OF BATHING AND VESSEL AREAS.
557.09 MOORING PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN AREAS.
557.10 OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS PROHIBITED.
557.11 IMPLIED CONSENT.
557.12 INCAPACITATED OPERATORS PROHIBITED.
557.13 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER; FLEEING AND ELUDING.
557.14 DUTY TO STOP OR GIVE WAY UPON APPROACH OF LAW ENFORCEMENT VESSEL.
557.15 WATER SKIING CONFINED TO SKI ZONES.
557.16 OBSERVER REQUIRED WHEN TOWING SKIER.
557.17 WATER SKIING AFTER DARK PROHIBITED.
557.18 PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE REQUIRED FOR TOWED PERSON.
557.19 SKI JUMPS PROHIBITED.
557.20 PERMIT FOR SPECIAL WATER EVENTS.
557.21 SALE OF SINGLE CELLED INFLATABLE VESSELS PROHIBITED.
557.22 SITTING, STANDING, WALKING ON MOVING VESSELS RESTRICTED.
557.23 ENGINE WARM-UP REQUIRED.
557.24 PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES FOR CHILDREN UNDER TEN.
557.25 OPERATION WITHOUT PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES PROHIBITED.
557.26 DISTRESS SIGNAL OR FLAG REQUIRED.
557.27 ANCHOR REQUIREMENTS.
557.28 SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
557.29 BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL DEVICE REQUIRED.
557.30 VENTILATION REQUIREMENT ON POWERCRAFT.
557.31 ABANDONMENT OF JUNK VESSELS OR OUTBOARD MOTORS.
557.32 EXHAUST MUFFLER REQUIRED; NOISE LEVELS; EXCEPTIONS.
557.33 SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON RENTAL VESSELS.
557.34 CAPACITY PLATE.
557.35 DWELLINGS: SANITARY SYSTEMS.
557.36 PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF NEGLIGENCE.
557.37 REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.
557.38 LITTERING PROHIBITED.
557.39 NUMBERING.
557.40 REGISTRATION.
557.41 ALTERING OF SERIAL NUMBERS; FALSE INFORMATION PROHIBITED.
557.43 ENFORCEMENT.
557.44 HARBOR MASTER TO ENFORCE REGULATIONS.
557.45 CERTIFICATE OF TITLE; EXCEPTIONS.
557.46 MANUFACTURER'S OR IMPORTER'S CERTIFICATE.
557.47 PROHIBITIONS.
557.48 PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
557.49 FIREARMS OFFENSES; SIGNALING DEVICES.
557.50 TAMPERING WITH NAVIGATION AID OR VESSEL PROHIBITED.
CHAPTER 561 Weeds and Grass
PART SEVEN - BUSINESS REGULATION CODE
PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART ELEVEN - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE
PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
OH
Sheffield Lake
Codified Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH
CHAPTER 557 Watercraft
CHAPTER 557 Watercraft
CHAPTER 557
Watercraft
557.01   Definitions.
557.02   Flashing lights prohibited; exceptions.
557.03   Siren prohibited; exceptions.
557.04   Regulations for operation and rental of powercraft of more than ten horsepower.
557.05   Restrictions on child operators; duty of supervisory adult.
557.06   Reckless operation.
557.07   Unsafe conditions.
557.08   Marking of bathing and vessel areas.
557.09   Mooring prohibited in certain areas.
557.10   Operating under influence of alcohol or drugs prohibited.
557.11   Implied consent.
557.12   Incapacitated operators prohibited.
557.13   Failure to comply with order of law enforcement officer; fleeing and eluding.
557.14   Duty to stop or give way upon approach of law enforcement vessel.
557.15   Water skiing confined to ski zones.
557.16   Observer required when towing skier.
557.17   Water skiing after dark prohibited.
557.18   Personal flotation device required for towed person.
557.19   Ski jumps prohibited.
557.20   Permit for special water events.
557.21   Sale of single celled inflatable vessels prohibited.
557.22   Sitting, standing, walking on moving vessels restricted.
557.23   Engine warm-up required.
557.24   Personal flotation devices for children under ten.
557.25   Operation without personal flotation devices prohibited.
557.26   Distress signal or flag required.
557.27   Anchor requirements.
557.28   Specification for fire extinguishers.
557.29   Backfire flame control device required.
557.30   Ventilation requirement on powercraft.
557.31   Abandonment of junk vessels or outboard motors.
557.32   Exhaust muffler required; noise levels; exceptions.
557.33   Safety equipment on rental vessels.
557.34   Capacity plate.
557.35   Dwellings; sanitary systems.
557.36   Prima facie evidence of negligence.
557.37   Requirements for operating personal watercraft.
557.38   Littering prohibited.
557.39   Numbering.
557.40   Registration.
557.41   Altering of serial numbers; false information prohibited.
557.42   Accident reports.
557.43   Enforcement.
557.44   Harbor Master to enforce regulations.
557.45   Certificate of title; exceptions.
557.46   Manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate.
557.47   Prohibitions.
557.48   Permanently displayed hull identification number.
557.49   Firearm offenses; signaling devices.
557.50   Tampering with navigation aid or vessel prohibited.
 
 
557.01 DEFINITIONS.
   (a)    As used in this chapter:
      (1)    "Canoe" means a narrow vessel of shallow draft, pointed at both ends and propelled by human muscular effort, and includes kayaks, racing shells, and rowing sculls.
      (2)    "Coast Guard approved" means bearing an approval number assigned by the United States Coast Guard.
      (3)    "Diver's flag" means a red flag not less than one foot square having a diagonal white stripe extending from the masthead to the opposite lower corner that when displayed indicates that divers are in the water.
      (4)   “Drug of abuse” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4506.01.
      (5)    "Electronic" includes electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or any other form of technology that entails capabilities similar to these technologies.
      (6)    "Electronic record" means a record generated, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means for use in an information system or for transmission from one information system to another.
      (7)    "Electronic signature" means a signature in electronic form attached to or logically associated with an electronic record.
      (8)    "Idle speed" means the slowest possible speed needed to maintain steerage or maneuverability.
      (9)    "In operation" in reference to a vessel means that the vessel is being navigated or otherwise used on the waters in this Municipality.
      (10)    "Inflatable watercraft" means any vessel constructed of rubber, canvas or other material which is designed to be inflated with any gaseous substance, constructed with two or more air cells and operated as a vessel. Inflatable watercraft propelled by a motor shall be classified as powercraft and shall be registered by length. Inflatable watercraft propelled by a sail shall be classified as a sailboat and shall be registered by length.
      (11)    "Law enforcement vessel" means any vessel used in law enforcement and under the command of a law enforcement officer.
      (12)   "Muffler" means an acoustical suppression device or system that is designed and installed to abate the sound of exhaust gases emitted from an internal combustion engine and that prevents excessive or unusual noise.
      (13)    "Navigable waters" means waters which come under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army of the United States and any waterways within or adjacent to this Municipality, except inland lakes having neither a navigable inlet nor outlet.
      (14)    "No wake" has the same meaning as "idle speed."
      (15)    "Operator" includes any person who navigates or has under the person's control a vessel, or vessel and detachable motor, on the waters in this Municipality.
      (16)    "Owner" includes any person who claims lawful possession of a vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable interest therein that entitled the person to that possession.
      (17)    "Person" includes any legal entity defined as a person in Ohio R.C. 1.59 and any body politic, except the United States and this State, and includes any agent, trustee, executor, receiver, assignee or other representative thereof.
      (18)    "Personal watercraft" means a vessel, less than 16 feet in length, that is propelled by machinery and designed to be operated by an individual sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel rather than by an individual sitting or standing inside the vessel.
      (19)    "Powercraft" means any vessel propelled by machinery, fuel, rockets or similar devices.
      (20)    "Rowboat" means any vessel, except a canoe, that is designed to be rowed and which is propelled by human muscular effort by oars or paddles and upon which no mechanical propulsion device, electric motor, internal combustion engine or sail has been affixed or is used for the operation of such vessel.
      (21)    "Sailboat" means any vessel, equipped with mast and sails, dependent upon the wind to propel it in the normal course of operation.
         A.    Any sailboat equipped with an inboard engine is deemed a powercraft with auxiliary sail.
         B.    Any sailboat equipped with a detachable motor is deemed a sailboat with auxiliary power.
         C.    Any sailboat being propelled by mechanical power, whether under sail or not, is deemed a powercraft and subject to all laws and rules governing powercraft operation.
      (22)    "Sewage" means human body wastes and wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain body waste.
      (23)    "Type 1 personal flotation device" means a device which is designed to turn an unconscious person floating in water from face downward position to a vertical or slightly face upward position and that has at least 9 kilograms, approximately 20 pounds, of buoyancy.
      (24)    "Type 2 personal flotation device" means a device which is designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly face upward position and that has at least 7 kilograms, approximately 15-2/5 pounds, of buoyancy.
      (25)    "Type 3 personal flotation device" means a device which is designed to keep a conscious person in a vertical or slightly face upward position and that has at least 7 kilograms approximately 15-2/5 pounds, of buoyancy.
      (26)    "Type 4 personal flotation device" means a device which is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and not worn and that has at least 7-1/2 kilograms, approximately 16-1/2 pounds, of buoyancy.
      (27)    "Type 5 personal flotation device" means a device that, unlike other personal flotation devices, has limitations on its approval by the United States Coast Guard, including, without limitation, all of the following:
         A.    The approval label on the type five personal flotation device indicates that the device is approved for the activity in which the vessel is being used or as a substitute for a personal flotation device of the type required on the vessel in use;
         B.   The personal flotation device is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label;
         C.    The personal flotation device is used in accordance with requirements in its owner's manual if the approval label refers to such a manual.
      (28)    "Vessel" includes every description of craft, including nondisplacement craft and sea planes, designed to be used as a means of transportation on water.
      (29)    "Visible" means visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.
      (30)    "Watercraft."
         A.    "Watercraft" means any of the following when used or capable of being used for transportation on the water:
            1.   A vessel operated by machinery either permanently or temporarily affixed;
            2.   A sailboat other than a sailboard;
            3.    An inflatable or manually propelled boat that is required by Federal law to have a hull identification number meeting the requirements of the United States Coast Guard; or
            4.   A canoe or rowboat.
         B.    "Watercraft" does not include ferries as referred to in Ohio R.C. Chapter 4583.
         C.    Watercraft subject to Ohio R.C. 1547.54 shall be divided into five classes as follows:
            1.    Class A: Less than 16 feet in length;
            2.    Class 1: At least 16 feet but less than 26 feet in length;
            3.    Class 2: At least 26 feet but less than 40 in length;
            4.    Class 3: At least 40 feet but less than 65 feet in length; and
            5.    Class 4: At least 65 feet in length.
      (31)    "Watercraft dealer" means any person who is regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing, selling, displaying, offering for sale or dealing in vessels at an established place of business. "Watercraft dealer" does not include a person who is a marine salvage dealer or any other person who dismantles, salvages or rebuilds vessels using used parts.
      (32)    "Waters in this Municipality" means all streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways and all other bodies of water, natural or human-made, which are situated wholly or partially within this Municipality or within its jurisdiction and are used for recreational boating.
   (b)    Unless otherwise provided, this chapter applies to all vessels operating on the waters in this Municipality. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in contravention of any valid Federal or State act or regulation, but is in addition to the act or regulation where not inconsistent. (Ord. 79-07. Passed 11-13-07.)

Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken.

For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588.

Hosted by: American Legal Publishing

Back to Code Library
Previous Doc
Next Doc
0 items available

Detected legislative history

• Ordinances of Sheffield Lake, OH
• ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SHEFFIELD LAKE, OHIO
• ORDINANCE NO. 116-84
• ORDINANCES OF SHEFFIELD LAKE
• orderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance
• ORDER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER; FLEEING AND ELUDING
• order of law enforcement officer; fleeing and eluding
• ord" means a record generated, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means for use in an information system or for transmission from one information system to another
• ord. (8) "Idle speed" means the slowest possible speed needed to maintain steerage or maneuverability
• ordance with any requirements on the approval label;
• ordance with requirements in its owner's manual if the approval label refers to such a manual
• Ord. 79-07
• Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality
• Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken
• Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588

Imported automatically by MunicipalWiki. The original publisher remains the authoritative source pending legal normalization and verification.