Rule 128-4-02 | Capitol buildings or grounds use: general rules and requirement of a permit.
(A) Capitol buildings and 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 and grounds are available for use by the public only if such use:
(1) Does not interfere with the primary use of the capitol buildings and 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 and grounds;
(3) Does not unduly burden the managing authority with a use that includes but is not limited to one that requires excessive financial, staff, security, or equipment resources; 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; or electricity, water, or other utility service; and
(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. Violations of this rule will be prosecuted to the extent allowed by law.
(D) The capitol buildings and 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 the visitors of the capitol buildings and grounds.
(F) The capitol buildings shall be available for use on any day of the week between the hours of eight a.m. to eleven p.m. for permitted special events, 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 the 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 used.
(3) Concessions--no concession stands or vending machines shall be operated in or on the 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.
(4) Alcoholic beverages--possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on state property is prohibited, except when authorized by the department of liquor control in accordance with local and state liquor permit laws.
(5) Amplification devices--sound amplification devices shall not be permitted in or on the capitol buildings or grounds if the noise level interferes with the normal use of the capitol buildings or grounds or is inappropriate to the surrounding area. No sound equipment may be used in or on the capitol buildings or grounds unless express written permission has been received by the executive director on behalf of the board.
(6) Camping on the capitol grounds is prohibited.
(7) Smoking or vaping tobacco or electronic nicotine delivery systems, including but not limited to e-cigarettes, within the capitol buildings is prohibited.
(8) 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.
(9) 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 the capitol buildings and 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.
Last updated January 13, 2025 at 7:47 AM
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