(A) Capitol buildings or grounds are
available for use by the public for the purpose of governmental business,
public meetings for free discussion of public questions, corporate, non-profit
or public events or for activities of a broad public purpose, provided that,
when necessary, the authorized permit procedure has been followed and
appropriate approvals have been received. Capitol buildings or grounds are
available for use by the public only if such use:
(1) Does not interfere
with the primary use of the capitol buildings or grounds, including but not
limited to its use as the site of the legislative activities of the Ohio
general assembly; offices of state elected officials; as a living museum of
Ohio's historical, artistic, and architectural heritage; and as a public
park;
(2) Is appropriate to the
legislative, historical, artistic, architectural and esthetic context of the
capitol buildings or grounds;
(3) Does not unduly
burden the managing authority by a use that includes but is not limited to one
that requires excessive financial, staff, security, or equipment resources, or
that unduly threatens the physical, historical, architectural, artistic, or
esthetic condition of the capitol buildings or grounds, or unduly threatens the
safety of the public or state employees; and
(4) Does not expose the state to the
likelihood of unreasonable expenses and/or damages which cannot be
recovered.
(B) A permit for use of the capitol
buildings or grounds may be obtained by following the procedures in rule
128-4-03 of the Administrative Code. Any group or individual engaging in any of
the activities described in paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(3) of this rule, in or on
the capitol buildings or grounds without a permit is in violation of this rule.
Violations of this rule will be prosecuted to the extent allowed by law. A
permit is required of the following:
(1) Any group or
individual engaged in activity designed to gather crowds of one hundred persons
or more;
(2) Any group or individual using or
intending to use any kind of sound amplification or other equipment;
structures; vehicles; banners or signs to be placed on or attached to the
capitol buildings or grounds; electricity, water, or other utility
service;
(3) Any group or individual engaging in
or intending to engage in activity that poses a potential hazard to the safety
of any person, or that poses a potential threat to the physical, historical,
architectural, artistic, or esthetic condition of the capitol buildings or
grounds.
(C) Permit holders conforming to capitol
square rules and the conditions of their permit are deemed to have reasonable
expressive and physical control of the area of and for the duration of the
permitted event. Any group or individual not holding a permit for the area may
be required, at the request of the permit holder, to move to the adjoining
sidewalk, or to another location as appropriate. Violations of this rule will
be prosecuted to the extent allowed by law.
(D) The capitol buildings or grounds shall not be used for any
activity inconsistent with or in violation of local, state or federal laws,
rules or regulations.
(E) CSRAB fully complies with all applicable state and federal
public accommodations and accessibility laws and operates without regard to the
content or viewpoint of speech or expression by statehouse
visitors.
(F) Capitol buildings or grounds shall be available for use on
any day of the week between the hours of seven a.m. to twelve midnight with the
exception of state holidays.
(G) Any individual or group present in or
on the capitol buildings or grounds, whether or not a permit holder, must abide
by the following regulations for use. In addition to the following regulations
for use, the board reserves the right to regulate any conduct or activity not
appropriate or consistent with the use of the capitol buildings or grounds as
described in this rule, or that may cause damage to state property or pose a
hazard to any member of the public or state employee.
(1) Structures and
vehicles--no equipment, apparatus, machine, or vehicle is permitted on capitol
buildings or grounds without the express permission of the capitol square
review and advisory board, or the executive director on behalf of the
board.
(2) Signs, banners,
flags--the use of stickers or labels, cellophane pressure sensitive tape,
screws, nails or any other mounting technique for displaying signs, banners, or
flags that might affect the structural or decorative condition of the capitol
buildings or any permanent structure on the premises is prohibited. All signs
or banners on sticks, poles or stakes are prohibited, except that poles with
bases from which signs or banners can be hung may be rented from the
board.
(3) Animals--no animals
or pets of any kind are permitted in the statehouse or on statehouse grounds
except to accommodate persons under the Americans with Disabilities Act and any
other applicable laws, or unless express permission is granted by the capitol
square review and advisory board or the executive director on behalf of the
board.
(4) Concessions--no concession stands or
vending machines shall be operated in or on capitol buildings or grounds
without the express permission of the board or the executive director on behalf
of the board, and consistent with the Randolf-Sheppard Act and other applicable
laws.
(5) Alcoholic beverages--possession or
consumption of an alcoholic beverage on state property is prohibited, except
when authorized by the department of liquor control in accordance with local
and state liquor permit laws.
(6) Amplification devices -- sound
amplification devices shall not be permitted in or on capitol buildings or
grounds if the noise level interferes with the normal use of capitol buildings
or grounds or is inappropriate to the surrounding area. No sound equipment may
be used in or on capitol buildings or grounds unless rented from the board or
given express written permission by the board.
(7) Camping on the capitol grounds is
prohibited.
(8) Smoking or vaping tobacco or
electronic nicotine delivery systems, including but not limited to
e-cigarettes, within the capitol buildings is prohibited.
(9) Weapons - with the exception of
those carried by peace officers in the course of their duties and as expressly
authorized under division (N) of section 105.41 of the Revised Code, firearms
or other weapons, concealed or otherwise, are prohibited within the capitol
buildings without the express written permission of the board.
(10) Attire - full attire, including
shirts and shoes or comparable footwear, are required within the capitol
buildings.
(H) The board reserves the right to limit the use of capitol
buildings or grounds, at any time, due to unforeseen operational circumstances,
including but not limited to emergency repairs or urgent security concerns.
Every reasonable effort will be made to alleviate the effects of any such
limitation.
(I) These rules may be waived by the
executive director, chairman, or their designees for good cause shown. Any
person wishing to obtain a waiver of board rules must contact the board, in
writing, within a reasonable time in advance of the event.