Ohio Code 4707.111 – State is sole regulator of auctions
The state, through the department of agriculture and in accordance with this chapter, shall solely regulate auctioneers, auction firms, and the conduct of auction sales.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 4707.111
- agriculture: includes farming; ranching; aquaculture; algaculture meaning the farming of algae; apiculture and related apicultural activities, production of honey, beeswax, honeycomb, and other related products; horticulture; viticulture, winemaking, and related activities; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such husbandry or production; and any additions or modifications to the foregoing made by the director of agriculture by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 1.61
- Auction: includes a sale of real or personal property, goods, or chattels in which there has been a solicitation or invitation by advertisement to the public for an advance in bidding using sealed bidding, provided that the bids are opened and there is a call for an advancement of the bids. See Ohio Code 4707.01
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Person: means an individual, sole proprietor, corporation, limited liability company, association, or partnership. See Ohio Code 4707.01
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
By enactment of this chapter, it is the intent of the general assembly to preempt municipal corporations and other political subdivisions from the regulation and licensing of auctioneers, auction firms, and auction sales.
At least twenty-four hours prior to an auction, the person licensed under this chapter to conduct the auction shall notify, via telephone, mail, or personal delivery, the chief of police of the municipal corporation in which the auction site is located or, if the site is in the unincorporated area of a county, the county sheriff as to the location and time of the auction and give to that officer a general description of the items offered for sale. A licensee who conducts regular auction sales on a fixed day at the same location is required to provide such notice to the chief of police or county sheriff only once. However, the licensee shall notify the chief of police or county sheriff if the auctions subsequently are discontinued or are conducted on a different day or at a different location.