FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How dO I OBTAIN A COPY OF AN ACCIDENT REPORT?

Accident reports can be downloaded for free online here.

How dO I OBTAIN A COPY OF AN INCIDENT REPORT?

You can request your incident report by completing our online Public Records Request Form.

DOES THE CITY OF JOHNSTOWN HAVE A NOISE ORDINANCE?

Yes, we do. See below for full ordinance. If you feel your complaint falls within the ordinance, please give us a call to report it.



509.031 DISTURBING THE PEACE.

   (a) No person shall create or cause the creation of noise so as to disturb or disrupt the peace and quiet of any reasonable person of normal sensitivity, including, but not limited to the following:

      (1) The emission of sound in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance 50 feet from the property line of a parcel on which the sound is emanating from a building, structure, vehicle, equipment, machinery, animal or fowl; or on a street, highway, or in the public right-of-way where the sound is audible 50 feet from the device generating the sound.

      Exemptions to division (a)(1) include the following:

         i. Sound emanating from scheduled events conducted, sponsored or permitted by the Village or Schools;

         ii. Construction operations occurring between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., provided that all equipment is operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and/or with all standard manufacturer's mufflers and noise-reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition;

         iii. Construction operations conducted by the Village as approved by the Village Manager or the Village Manager's designee;

         iv. The loading and/or unloading of commercial waste receptacles between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. within 500 yards of any residentially zoned property;

         v. Noise of safety signals, warning devices, emergency pressure relief valves, and church bells;

         vi. Noise resulting from any authorized emergency vehicle;

         vii. Lawn mowers and other similar motorized landscaping equipment used between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. when operated with all the manufacturer's standard muffler and/or sound reducing equipment in use and in proper operating condition; and

         viii. Emergency work as authorized by the Village.

      (2) Noise related to the discharge of blank ammunition when conducted in conjunction with a funeral, patriotic event or such other activity as specifically authorized by the Village Manager or the Village Manager's designee. In determining whether a noise is of such character to violate the elements herein with regard to unreasonably disturbing the peace and quiet of the community, the following shall be considered:

         i. Complaints of neighbors regarding the referenced noise;

         ii. The time of day during which the noise is occurring or has occurred;

         iii. The intensity and duration of the noise;

         iv. The type of noise emanating; and

         v. What, if any alternatives are available without excessive noise.

   (b) Penalties.

      (1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of Disturbing the Peace

      (2) Disturbing the peace except as otherwise provided in division (b)(3), disorderly conduct is a minor misdemeanor.

      (3) Disturbing the peace is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree if any of the following applies:

         A. The offender persists in disturbing the peace after reasonable warning or request to desist.

         B. The offense is committed in the vicinity of a school or in a school safety zone.

         C. The offense is committed in the presence of any law enforcement officer, firefighter, rescuer, medical person, emergency medical services person, or other authorized person who is engaged in the person's duties at the scene of a fire, accident, disaster, riot or emergency of any kind. The offense is committed in the presence of any emergency facility person who is engaged in the person's duties in an emergency facility.

         D. Offense is a second or subsequent offense, if less than 12 months have elapsed since the last offense of the same provision. Each day such offense is committed or continued shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such. Citations shall be issued to a person, firm or corporation and/or an individual present at the time of the alleged offense.

            i. The offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to three or more violations of division (b) of this section, a violation of division (b) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

      (4) As used in this section:

         A. "Emergency medical services person" is the singular of "emergency medical services personnel" as defined in Ohio R.C. 2133.21.

         B. "Emergency facility person" is the singular of "emergency facility personnel" as defined in Ohio R.C. 2909.04.

         C. "Emergency facility" has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 2909.04.

         D. "Committed in the vicinity of a school" has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C.2925.01. (ORC 2917.11).

            (Ord. 16-2020. Passed 7-2-20.)

iF MY CAR WAS IMPOUNDED WHAT DO I DO?

To obtain a release for an impounded vehicle, the OWNER of the vehicle must show up in person at the Johnstown Police Department between our normal business hours. It is recommended you call to verify that we are open. Impounded vehicles can only be released to the registered owner or person with Power of Attorney. You must provide a photo I.D. and proof of ownership by title or current registration. If the owner does not have a valid ID, due to it being confiscated at the time of arrest, then identification can be verified at the Police Department.

To obtain a release for an impounded vehicle that is marked Court Release, the OWNER must present a paper issued by the court stating that the vehicle may be released. The same identification process as previously stated will still apply.

Questions about towing fees? Contact whichever towing company is housing your impounded vehicle for information on the cost of release and acceptable forms of payment. If you are uncertain which towing company has your vehicle call us at (740) 967-0911.

A-1 Reliable Towing (740) 967-8698

Etna Towing (740) 927-7762

B & J Towing (614) 695-9963

Any threat to the health or well-being of the public regarding animals should always be addressed by contacting 911 if it is an emergency, or our non-emergency line at 740-967-0911.

If you have a concern regarding the well-being of an animal, contact the Licking County Humane Society at 740-323-2100. If it is after business hours contact our non emergency line at 740-967-0911 option 1 and report it to the dispatcher.

HOW DO I FILE AN ANIMAL COMPLAINT?