Ohio Revised Code Title VII. Municipal Corporations § 711.101

As to land falling within its jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of its planning commission, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, or the board of county commissioners, may adopt general rules setting standards and requiring and securing the construction of improvements shown on the plats and plans required by sections 711.05, 711.09, and 711.10 of the Revised Code.

Such rules may establish standards and specifications for the construction of streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, street lights, water mains, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and other utility mains, piping, and other facilities, may require complete or partial installation of such improvements, and may make such installation a condition precedent to the sale or lease of lots in a subdivision or the issuance of a building permit for the improvement of a lot, and may require in lieu of actual construction a performance agreement and the furnishing of a performance bond or other guarantee or security for the purpose of assuring the installation of such improvements deemed necessary or appropriate in the public interest. The legislative authority of a municipal corporation or the board of county commissioners may accept such performance bond or other guarantee or security, under such conditions and time limitations as it may determine. However, any actual construction or performance bond required by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or board of county commissioners shall be limited to improvements and facilities directly affecting the lots to be improved or sold.

Such rules may require the submission of plans and specifications for the improvements set forth in this section for approval as a condition precedent to the approval of a plat required by sections 711.05, 711.09, and 711.10 of the Revised Code, and may require the actual construction or agreement or assurance of such construction as a condition precedent to the approval required under those sections. The rules shall not require the alteration of plans and specifications for improvements, as long as the plans and specifications are in accordance with the rules provided for in this section in effect at the time the plat was submitted.

Such rules may provide for the administration thereof by the regulating body or by a city, county, or regional planning commission having platting jurisdiction over the land affected and may provide for the modification thereof in specific cases, where unusual or exceptional factors or conditions require such modifications, by such body or commission.

The board of county commissioners may prepare such specifications and make such orders, inspections, examinations, and certificates as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The county engineer and the county sanitary engineer shall act in an advisory capacity to the board in preparing such specifications, orders, inspections, examinations, and certificates.

Before the adoption or amendment of rules pursuant to this section, a public hearing shall be held thereon by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or the board of county commissioners, as the case may be.