Ohio Administrative Code

19.03 PDF: (A) No person is permitted to be present, unless exempted in writing by the area manager, on any area administered by the division between the hours of eleven p.m. and six a.m., except as hereinafter provided in this rule or other administrative rules of the division.(…

19.03 PDF: No person shall swim, dive, bathe, or wade in the waters of any beach area or swimming pool maintained and operated by the division unless such beach area or swimming pool is posted by the division indicating a beach area or pool is open to swimming, diving, or wading.…

19.03 PDF: (A) In or upon any waters under the management authority of the division, swimming, bathing, diving, or wading from any vessel, dock, raft facility, or any other structure, or from a shoreline of any state property is permitted only within water areas officially design…

19.03 PDF: (A) No person shall use or offer for use by any person any inner tube ring, buoy, air mattress, beach ball or similar novelty device of inflatable air cell construction, nor any plastic foam flotation device in the waters of the division where swimming is prohibited, i…

19.03 PDF: Except for persons snorkeling at designated beaches, engaging in underwater diving while using a snorkel or while diving with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (S.C.U.B.A.) without being fully equipped with a face mask, foot fins, buoyancy compensation vest…

19.03 PDF: No person shall engage in skin diving while using a snorkel or while diving with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (S.C.U.B.A.) in any waters administered by the division without the written permission of the chief of the division, except in the lakes herei…

19.03 PDF: No person shall engage in skin diving while using a snorkel or while diving with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (S.C.U.B.A.) within one thousand feet of any dam or outlet structures at Burr Oak and Acton lake. Last updated February 17, 2026 at 2:09 PM Au…

19.03 PDF: It is permitted to use a metal detector or other similar device for the purpose of locating or removing any metallic objects or any other objects of value on sand beach areas and mowed areas except mowed areas associated with a golf course, rental facility or campgroun…

19.03 PDF: No person shall participate in rappelling in any area administered by the division except at designated areas and only after registering to so rappel, with the area manager or the area manager's authorized representative. Last updated February 17, 2026 at 2:09 PM Autho…

19.03 PDF: No person shall engage in rockclimbing off designated trails in any area administered by the division except at designated areas and only after registering to so rockclimb, with the area manager or the area manager's authorized representative. Last updated February 17,…

19.03 PDF: No person shall play golf or drive or hit golf balls in any area administered by the division that is not designated for such use. Last updated June 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM Authorized By: 1546.04 Amplifies: 1546.02, 1546.04 Five Year Review Date: 6/5/2031 Prior Effective Da…

19.03 PDF: No person shall enter or be present upon the premises of the following state park areas for any reason without first having obtained a permit from the chief of the division:Kennedy Ledges of Nelson Kennedy Ledges state park. Last updated February 17, 2026 at 2:10 PM Au…

19.03 PDF: On any lands administered by the division, no person is permitted to import, assemble, or install any commercially produced novelty or privately engineered contrivance for use as a portable wading pool, whirlpool, hot tub, spa pool, splash pad, or other device fabricat…

19.03 PDF: Without an exemption from this rule provided through a special activities permit under the provisions of rule 1501:46-3-28 of the Administrative Code or authorized in writing by the area manager, no person is permitted to import, assemble, or install any inflatable str…

19.03 PDF: No person shall camp in an area administered by the division except where designated areas have been set aside for the purpose of camping, and unless such person possesses a current and valid camping permit. Last updated February 17, 2026 at 2:10 PM Authorized By: 1546…

19.03 PDF: No person shall walk into or drive any vehicle into or through any controlled camp area of the division for the purpose of utilizing ramps, beaches, or other camp facilities, except such persons who are holders of a valid camping permit or a visitor's pass; nor shall a…

19.03 PDF: (A) Any person camping in any designated camp area is responsible for obtaining a valid campsite registration and camping permit from the division. Any person entering and camping on a campsite prior to six a.m. is responsible for remitting the fee listed in rule 1501:…

19.03 PDF: The maximum period of time that any person is permitted to stay overnight in any designated campground or other rented overnight facility within a state park shall not exceed fourteen days in any thirty day time frame. Any attempt to circumvent the fourteen night limit…

19.03 PDF: (A) A person renting a campsite, getaway rental, cottage, or overnight group facility shall remove all personal property from the campsite, getaway rental, cottage, or overnight group facility prior to a time as determined by the park manager and so posted at the park …

19.03 PDF: No person who is a juvenile shall camp in, or stay in a cabin or lodge facility in any area under the administration of the division except:(A) When accompanying a parent or guardian; or(B) When juvenile furnishes to the area manager the written consent of and full nam…

19.03 PDF: (A) No person shall cause, create, or contribute in any way to noise, including but not limited to, playing a radio or other electronically amplified device, or a musical instrument, or operating a motorized generator in any way that disturbs the peace and quiet of oth…

19.03 PDF: No person is permitted to operate or bring into any camping area, any vehicle used for camping, and having plumbing fixtures with provision for outside drainage, which does not include suitable, non-spilling holding tank which will not overflow and being connected with…

19.03 PDF: No person shall sublease, transfer, or assign his campsite, cabin, or lodge room to another person. Last updated February 17, 2026 at 2:11 PM Authorized By: 1546.04 Amplifies: 1546.02, 1546.04 Five Year Review Date: 1/14/2031 Prior Effective Dates: 6/14/1975

19.03 PDF: The following rules and regulations shall apply to all backpack trails located on lands administered by the division in addition to all other rules specified herein:(A) All campers must register with the area manager. In the event the area manager or the area manager's…

19.03 PDF: In accordance with rule 1501:46-3-07 of the Administrative Code, domestic dogs and cats are only permitted in camping areas designated by the chief of the division as a camping area zone permitting pets and then only in accordance with this rule. Service Animals as def…

19.03 PDF: The owner of any watercraft required to be registered under the provisions of section 1547.54 of the Revised Code shall, prior to the operation of such watercraft, apply to the chief of the division of parks and watercraft or an authorized agent designated under the pr…

19.03 PDF: An application for mail renewal of a registration certificate may be made by the owner on forms mailed to and provided by the chief of the division of parks and watercraft. The same Ohio registration number will be issued upon renewal. Such application for mail renewal…

19.03 PDF: When a watercraft registered by the chief of the division of parks and watercraft is transferred by the owner to another person, the registration numbers and registration decal assigned to the watercraft are not to be removed and will pass to the possession of the new …

19.03 PDF: The application for a registration certificate of a watercraft already numbered will, for the purpose of the fees set forth in section 1547.54 of the Revised Code, be regarded as an original application for registration, but where the watercraft will continue in use in…

19.03 PDF: When a watercraft registered under the provisions of section 1547.54 of the Revised Code is changed as to type of propulsion, which would be subject to a higher registration fee, the owner of the watercraft shall surrender the existing registration certificate to a dul…

19.03 PDF: (A) The numbers issued pursuant to section 1547.53 of the Revised Code will be in accordance with the pattern hereafter prescribed.(1) All numbers issued by the chief of the division of parks and watercraft will be divided into three parts. The first part consists of s…

19.03 PDF: (A) The chief shall prescribe a form for the application for a contingent registration which may be issued under the following circumstances:(1) The owner of a vessel that requires a hull identification number under the provisions of section 1547.65 of the Revised Code…

19.03 PDF: (A) Only owners of vessels used solely for recreational purposes are eligible for fee waiver for registration certificate, contingent on proof of eligibility as set forth by paragraph (B) of this rule.(B) Persons applying for fee waiver for a registration certificate m…

19.03 PDF: For the purpose of this rule, a "boating accident" means a collision, accident, or other casualty involving any vessel, either moored or in operation, upon any of the waters in this state.(A) A vessel subject to this rule is considered to be involved in a boating accid…

19.03 PDF: No person shall without lawful authority climb on, swim and hang on, dive off, tie a watercraft to or attempt to tie a watercraft to, injure, sink, disconnect from its anchor, damage, deface or interfere with any buoy or other aid to navigation which is placed, anchore…

19.03 PDF: In accordance with section 1547.26 of the Revised Code, the following vessels are exempt from requirements to carry on anchor and line:Any vessel less than fourteen feet in length.Any paddlecraft as defined in section 1546.01 of the Revised Code.Sailboats and sailboard…

19.03 PDF: In accordance with section 1547.08 of the Revised Code the following buoys or signs will be used to mark recreational water areas of the state of Ohio.(A) Buoys marking control zones, hazards and no boat areas shall show all around the horizon. The body of such buoys a…

19.03 PDF: (A) No person shall anchor, moor, tie-up, or raft off to any other vessel, dock, launch ramp, or structure on the waters in this state in such a manner that the vessel blocks, impedes, or restricts other vessels in their normal and reasonable use or navigation.(B) No p…

19.03 PDF: An abbreviated written exam, a signed rental agreement, or a statement attached to the rental agreement as stated in section 1547.052 of the Revised Code are only valid for that specific rental business location and for the specific time period described in the rental …

19.03 PDF: Persons subject to mandatory boater education and satisfactory completion of an abbreviated examination for the rental of motorized watercraft as provided for in section 1547.052 of the Revised Code can attain compliance in one of the following ways:(A) Completion of a…

19.03 PDF: The division of parks and watercraft will provide and issue certificates pursuant to section 1547.05 of the Revised Code for proctored and nonproctored proficiency examinations. Each certificate and examination will comply with the following requirements:(A) All profic…

19.03 PDF: In accordance with section 1547.05 of the Revised Code, the certificate as evidence of successful completion of the course or examination is valid only if the following information is on the certificate:(A) Name;(B) Date of birth;(C) Completion date of course or examin…

19.03 PDF: (A) Persons participating in the division of parks and watercraft Ohio boating education course may be assessed a fee of five dollars plus facility costs.(B) Persons participating in division of parks and watercraft sponsored courses and programs approved by the chief …

19.03 PDF: (A) A refund of a watercraft registration fee set forth in section 1547.54 of the Revised Code will be issued in the event the watercraft owner is able to provide proof that the registration fee had been paid multiple times for the current triennial registration time p…

19.03 PDF: In accordance with division (I)(2) of section 1547.31 of the Revised Code, the following shall be required when conducting a powercraft noise level test:(A) A sound meter which meets type 1 or type 2 specifications and SAE J 1970 and SAE J 2005 standards shall be used;…

19.03 PDF: (A) The owner of a hand powered canoe, rowboat (including racing shells and rowing sculls), or inflatable watercraft for which a registration certificate is issued under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code and which is exempted from numbering under division (H) of sect…

19.03 PDF: In accordance with division (A) of section 1547.25 of the Revised Code, the following are exempted from section 1547.25 of the Revised Code:(A) Racing shells and rowing sculls; (B) Sailboards; and (C) Those individual vessels that have been issued a written exemption b…