Yes I'm sure there will be a law against it soon in Monroe. Sign of the times.

Actually, considering most homes in Monroe fall under an HOA I'm shocked this hasn't been taken care of already. Personally, Mr. B. you know me. I wouldn't last ten minutes in a neighborhood with an HOA. 

Mr. Clark asked if the sample legislation for the advertising circulars that are thrown out of the

vehicles has been tested in court. Mr. Callahan was not aware of it being tested. Mr. Clark would

like to see the legislation on a future agenda.

Source: Monroe Council Minutes

Regular Meeting of Council

May 14, 2019 – 6:30 p.m.

233 South Main Street, Monroe, Ohio

ORDINANCE NO. 2019-12

AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 660 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES TO REGULATE UNSOLICITED 

MATERIALS.

WHEREAS,   the   Constitution   of   the   State   of   Ohio,   in   Article   XVIII,   Section   

3,   grants municipalities the authority to exercise all powers of local self government and to 

enforce local police, sanitary, and other similar regulations as are not in conflict with the 

general laws; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to this constitutional home rule authority, the people of the City of Monroe, 

Ohio, have adopted a Charter and Codified Ordinances to exercise the powers of local self- 

government and enforce local police power regulations; and

WHEREAS, the City has substantial, legitimate interests in preserving and maintaining a high level 

of sanitation throughout the City by reducing visual blight and litter; and

WHEREAS, the City has experienced ongoing problems with the delivery of unsolicited written 

materials to areas of private property such as yards and driveways, commonly resulting in materials 

remaining in such locations for extended periods of time, causing visual blight;

WHEREAS,  the  City has  received  resident  complaints  related  to  unsolicited  written  

materials being delivered to locations on the residents’ private property which, in addition to 

causing visual blight and the spread of litter, cause hardship on residents forced to collect these 

materials from various portions of their or neighboring property; and

WHEREAS, the City wishes to reduce visual blight, littering, and the interference with private 

property associated with the delivery of unsolicited written materials while at the same time 

protecting the First Amendment rights of the persons and organizations delivering those materials.

WHEREAS,  the  issue  of  delivery  of  unsolicited  material  has  been  discussed  by  Council  

in numerous  regular  sessions  and  attempts  to  deal  with  the  adverse  effects  of  delivery 

of unsolicited  material  under  existing  ordinances  and  though  voluntary  action  by  those 

responsible for delivering such material has been unsuccessful; and

WHEREAS, based on observation from City Council members and findings in other communities, City 

Council finds that  some of the  unsolicited  materials can and  do migrate to public property, 

where upon they become litter; and

WHEREAS, in light of the thousands of unsolicited materials delivered in the City each year, the 

City has a reasonable basis to believe that restricting such deliveries to certain specified

locations will bring about a more consistent esthetic and reduce litter; and

WHEREAS, requiring all unsolicited materials to be delivered to consistent, predictable locations 

will  further  reduce  the  visual  impact  of  such  materials  by  increasing  the  chances  that 

recipients will find and collect the materials and discard them in an appropriate manner; and

WHEREAS,  City Council  finds  that  this  ordinance  leaves  open  ample  alternative  channels  

of communication and does not prohibit the right for individuals to travel door-to-door to 

proselytize, and leave literature with residents;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONROE, STATE OF OHIO, THAT:

SECTION 1:   Chapter 660 of the Codified Ordinances is hereby supplemented to read as follows:

“660.18          UNSOLICITED WRITTEN MATERIALS.

(a) As used in this section:

Front door: means the street-facing entrance(s) to a principal structure. In the event no door 

faces  the  street,  then  any  other  door  of  a  principal  structure  nearest  the  street  

shall  be considered a front door for purposes of this section.

Person: means any person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, club, society 

or other organization.

Porch: means an exterior appendage to a principal structure leading to a doorway, including any 

stairway attached thereto.

Premises: means a lot, plot, or parcel of land including any structures, driveways, or other 

impervious surfaces thereon.

Principal structure: means a structure, or combination of structures of primary importance on  the  

premises,  and  that  contains  the  primary  use  associated  with  the  premises.  The primary 

use is characterized by identifying the main activity taking place on the premises.

Unsolicited  written  materials:  means  any  written  materials  delivered  to  any  premises 

without  the  express  invitation  or  permission,  in  writing  or  otherwise,  by  the  owner, 

occupant, or lessee of such premises.

(b)  No  Person  shall  deliver,  place,  or  distribute  unsolicited  written  materials  to  any 

premises other than in the following locations and manners: (1) On a porch, if one exists, nearest 

the front door; or (2) So that such materials are securely attached to the front door; or (3) 

Through a mail slot on the front door or principal structure, if one exists, as permitted by  the  

United  States  Postal  Service  Domestic  Mail  Manual,  Section  508  Recipient Services,  

Subsection  3.1.2;  or  (4)  Between  the  exterior  front  door,  if  one  exists  and  is 

unlocked, and the interior front door; or (5) Where permitted, in a distribution box located

on or adjacent to the premises; or (6) Securely attached to a hook or within some other receptacle 

used for the delivery of non-U.S. Mail packages or materials, attached to the mailbox post for the 

premises, if it exists; or (7) Personally to the owner, occupant, and/or lessee of the premises.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (B), an owner, lessee, or occupant maintains the right to restrict 

entry to his or her premises. Any entry onto private property under this section remains subject to 

the provisions in section 854.07 of the Monroe Codified Ordinances regarding entry onto property 

with a sign bearing the words “No Peddlers, Solicitors, or Canvassers Invited,” or words of similar 

import.

(d) Organizational liability. It is the intent of City Council to jointly impose organizational 

liability under  Monroe  Code  606.08  for  violation  of  this  section  by  any  officer,  agent 

(including  but  not  limited  to  an  independent  contractor),  or  employee  of  a  business  or 

organization while acting on behalf of the business or organization and within the scope of the 

officer's, employee's or agent's office or employment.

(e) Timestamped photographic evidence of unsolicited written materials located upon a premises, 

other than as permitted pursuant to Section B, creates a rebuttable presumption that the materials 

were placed at the premises by the owner, officer, agent (including but not  limited  to  an  

independent  contractor),  or  employee  of  the  business,  product,  good, service, or message 

which is being advertised, promoted, endorsed, or conveyed in such materials. Where the materials 

are delivered as a package and relate to multiple businesses, products,  goods,  services,  or  

messages,  the  presumption  shall  apply  to  the  identified distributor of the package of 

materials, if any.  Violation of this section is a strict liability offense and the prosecution of 

an offense under this section is relieved from proof of any other  culpable  mental  state  as  

defined  in  section  606.07  of  the  Monroe  Codified Ordinances.

(f) The provisions of this section do not apply to the United States Postal Service.

(g)  Severability.  If  any  provision,  clause,  sentence,  or  paragraph  of  this  section  or  

the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, that invalidation 

shall not affect the other provisions of this section which can be given effect without the invalid 

provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this section are declared to be 

severable.

(h) Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a 

first offense. Any subsequent offense shall be charged as a third degree misdemeanor if  the  

defendant  has  previously  been  convicted  individually  or  under  organizational liability. A 

separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation  or  

noncompliance  occurs  or  continues.  The  penalty  shall  be  as  provided  in Chapter 698 of  

the Monroe Code depending on  the defendant’s status  as  an individual and/or organization.

SECTI   N 2:   All of the other provisions of Chapters 660 shall remain in full force and effect. 

If any.

SECTION 3:   It is hereby found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning 

and  relating to  the  passage  of  this  Ordinance  were  adopted  in  an  open  meeting of  this 

Council and that all deliberations of this Council and of any of its Committees that resulted in 

such formal action were in meetings open to the public and in compliance with all legal 

requirements including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.

SECTION 4:  This measure shall take effect and be in full force from and after the earliest period 

allowed by law.

Source: Monroe Council Minutes

Regular Meeting of Council

May 14, 2019 – 6:30 p.m.

233 South Main Street, Monroe, Ohio

Ordinance No. 2019-31. An Ordinance supplementing Chapter 660 of the Codified Ordinances

to regulate unsolicited materials.

Mr. Callahan advised that the difference between these two ordinances is the first ordinance

adopted contains criminal penalties. In April of this year the United States Court of Appeals

upheld the Lexington-Fayette Urban County ordinance that contained civil penalties and provided

for an administrative appeal. Mr. Callahan felt it best to adopt legislation that has been upheld in

Federal Court.

Mr. Callahan encouraged that staff reach out to the distributors that we haven’t spoke with to work

with them to be in compliance with the legislation.

Mr. Hickman asked if the person received the unsolicited material will need to call the City to

complain in order for a citation to be issued. Mr. Callahan explained that if the code enforcement

person sees this material in front of someone’s house they need to confirm that the property owner

did not want them. If that is the case a citation would be issued.

Mr. Hickman could not imagine a staff member driving around every Monday morning and asking

each property owner if they wanted the material. This staff member is not going to have time to

do that.

Mr. Clark felt that enough people complain and citations are issued the problem will be resolved.

Mr. Hickman didn’t want to hire another employee just for this.

Mr. Clark moved to consider this the first reading of Ordinance No. 2019-31 and have it read by

title only; seconded by Mr. Frentzel. Voice vote. Motion carried.

The Clerk of Council read Ordinance No. 2019-31 by title only.

Mr. Clark moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2019-31; seconded by Mr.

Hickman. Roll call vote: seven ayes. Motion carried.

Source: Monroe Council Packet