4517.22. Motor vehicle shows; display at other than licensed location.

(A)  Any group of licensed new motor vehicle dealers may display motor vehicles at a motor vehicle show within the general market area allocated to a licensed new motor vehicle dealer, whenever all of the following conditions are met: 

(1) The primary purpose of the motor vehicle show is the exhibition of competitive makes and models of motor vehicles to provide the general public the opportunity to review and inspect various makes and models of motor vehicles at a single location; 

(2) Not less than thirty days before the planned opening date of the motor vehicle show, the group requests and receives permission to hold the show from the registrar of motor vehicles. 

(B)  No contracts shall be signed, deposits taken, or sales consummated at the location of a motor vehicle show. 

(C)  Any sponsor of a motor vehicle show shall offer by mail an invitation to all new motor vehicle dealers dealing in competitive types of motor vehicles in the general market area to participate and display motor vehicles in the show. The sponsor may offer a similar invitation to manufacturers or distributors. A copy of each invitation shall be retained by the sponsor for at least one year after the show. 

(D)  No person except a manufacturer or distributor shall hold in any public place a motor vehicle show at which only one motor vehicle is displayed, and no such single unit show shall be held unless the manufacturer or distributor requests and receives permission from the registrar not less than thirty days before the show. 

(E)  The registrar shall not grant permission for any motor vehicle show to be held, unless it is proven to the registrar's satisfaction that no attempt is being made to circumvent the provisions of sections 4517.01 to 4517.45 of the Revised Code. 

(F)  Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the taking of orders for nonmotorized recreational vehicles as defined in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code at sports or camping shows. 

(G)  No motor vehicle dealer, motor vehicle leasing dealer, motor vehicle auction owner, or distributor licensed under sections 4517.01 to 4517.45 of the Revised Code shall display a motor vehicle at any place except the dealer's, owner's, or distributor's licensed location, unless the dealer, owner, or distributor first obtains permission from the registrar and complies with the applicable rules of the motor vehicle dealers board. 

(H)  Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the display of, the taking of orders for, or the sale of, livestock trailers at livestock and agricultural shows, including county fairs. Notwithstanding section 4517.03 of the Revised Code, livestock trailers may be sold at livestock and agricultural shows, including county fairs, as permitted by this division. 
 

As used in this division, "livestock trailer" means a new or used trailer designed by its manufacturer to be used to transport horses or to transport animals generally used for food or in the production of food, including cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, swine, and any other animals included by the director of agriculture in rules adopted under section 901.72 of the Revised Code. 

(I) Notwithstanding division (B) of this section, contracts may be signed, deposits taken, and sales consummated at the location of a motor vehicle show where the motor vehicles involved are horse trailers or towing vehicles that are trucks and have a gross vehicle weight of more than three-quarters of a ton, the motor vehicle show is being held as part of or in connection with a major livestock show, the licensed new motor vehicle dealers involved have complied with the applicable requirements of this section, and the registrar has granted permission for the motor vehicle show in accordance with division (E) of this section. 
 

As used in division (I) of this section:

(1) "Major livestock show" means any show of livestock that is held at the Ohio state fairgrounds, is national in scope, and that continues for more than ten consecutive days.

(2) "Truck" has the same meaning as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Gross vehicle weight" means the unladen weight of the vehicle fully equipped. 

(J)  Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.