New Requirements for City of Toledo Businesses
TOLEDO, OH – Two new requirements for businesses located in Toledo have been implemented following their passage by Toledo City Council.
Closed Captioning Required
In a move to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents and visitors, a closed captioning ordinance was passed in December 2022, requiring all places of public accommodation to enable closed captioning on televisions located within their premises. This requirement is currently in effect for all businesses open to the public within the City of Toledo. This includes but is not limited to:
- Restaurants and bars
- Educational institutions
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Entertainment venues
- Public transportation facilities
Owners, managers, and employees of places of public accommodation are responsible for ensuring that the closed captioning feature is enabled on all televisions within their premises. Violations of the closed captioning ordinance are considered minor misdemeanors. The first offense will result in a warning letter. Subsequent violations may incur fines of up to $150 per violation.
For more information and resources on complying with the closed captioning ordinance, please visit toledo.oh.gov/closed-captions.
Convenience Store License Required
Following the repeal of the special use permit requirement for convenience stores in April 2022, a new business license was established to better address nuisances associated with convenience stores. Council members cited nuisance concerns such as blight, loitering, noise, and illicit activity as the reason to introduce updated oversight of these businesses.
A convenience store is defined as an establishment under 5,000 square feet in size with both a Toledo Lucas County Health Department Retail Food Establishment license and a State of Ohio C class liquor permit or a State of Ohio Tobacco license. Convenience store owners must submit an annual application online before the October 1 deadline or will be assessed a penalty of $500 per day for operating without the license. The application fee of $500 may be waived if a business chooses to participate in the Link Toledo camera integration program announced earlier this year by Toledo Police Department.
Business owners were notified via mail earlier this month. Three help sessions have been scheduled to assist applicants through the application process:
Tuesday, September 19, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Main Library Computer Lab, 325 N Michigan St, Toledo, OH 43604
Wednesday, September 20, 3 to 5 p.m.
East Toledo Family Center, 1020 Varland Ave, Toledo, OH 43605
Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m.
Zoom webinar
Attendees should bring copies of all required documentation to complete the application onsite. A list of requirements and more information is available on the city’s website at toledo.oh.gov/convenience.
The City of Toledo appreciates the cooperation of all businesses and institutions in making Toledo a safer, more inclusive, and more vibrant place for everyone.
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