Either a blessing or a
curse, owners and operators of marinas in Ohio no longer have to worry about State
or local health departments looking over their shoulders. With the repeal of
Section 3733.22 of the Ohio Revised Code, health departments no longer have the
authority to provide oversight or assistance to Ohio’s marina operations.
Since the law’s enactment in 1975,
anyone who wanted to construct or expand a marina had to apply for a license and
pass an inspection. Any existing marina had to have its license renewed each
March. Health department officials made sure the facilities were safe and
sanitary so as not to create a health hazard or a nuisance. The principal goal
was to protect Ohioans using recreational vehicles or those in the surrounding
areas from unsafe drinking water and pollution hazards caused by improperly disposed
wastes and other unsanitary conditions.
But in September of this past year,
the State’s authority to oversee operations and issue licenses was repealed. Some
local boards of health have sent out advisory notices to nearby marina owners,
suggesting that they use the former regulations as guidelines for continued
operation. Time will tell how effective the honor system is at keeping marinas
safe and sanitary.
If your association includes a
marina, the board should adopt operating rules and requirements to maintain a
safe and inviting facility that serves to protect owners and guests as well as
property values. And, if your
association does not contain a marina but one is nearby, it still may be worth
your while to keep an eye on the surrounding water—you might be the only one.
